A gallery displays the 2024 ODYSSEY Media Group Individual Award Finalists as announced by the National Scholastic Press Association on Sept. 26. OMG adviser David Ragsdale shared the news with current and recently- graduated students. “It’s always a pleasure to let the young scholars know of the commendations they’ve received, be that positive feedback from a reader or, in this case, from a national competition,” Ragsdale said.” Gallery by Liya Taylor.
The ODYSSEY Media Group and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine have eight finalists for the National Scholastic Press Association’s 2024 Individual Award Finalists, which were announced on Sept. 26.
The National Scholastic Press Association announced their 2024 Individual Award Finalists on Sept. 26, and the ODYSSEY Media Group and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine are represented with finalists in eight categories.
Winners in each category will be announced at the Fall 2024 National High School Journalism Convention hosted by NSPA in Philadelphia, which will take place on Nov. 7-10.
ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer, a senior, was recognized as a finalist for the Sports Story of the Year for his piece ‘The impossible dream’, a posthumous profile about former Clarke Central High School basketball player Percy Eberhart.
“I was excited (because) I didn’t know what was submitted. I put a lot of time and effort into that piece and making sure it was immersive, so I was proud to see that story recognized on a national stage,” Meyer said.
News staffer Emlyn McKinney, a sophomore, is a finalist under the podcast category for the podcast, “Letter To My Younger Self: Emlyn McKinney.”
“It’s really surreal. I pushed to get (my podcast) published, but I never imagined that it would get this far. It feels amazing to know that somebody listened to my podcast and I am really grateful that it was able to reach someone.”
— Emlyn McKinney,
News Staffer
When the results were announced online, OMG adviser David Ragsdale shared the news with current and recently- graduated students.
“It’s always a pleasure to let the young scholars know of the commendations they’ve received, be that positive feedback from a reader or, in this case, from a national competition,” Ragsdale said.
The individual finalist awards are as listed below:
- Design of the Year, Literary/Specialty Magazine Cover: Olivia Hendershot, Prometheus
- Design of the Year, Literary/Specialty Magazine Page/Spread: Olivia Hendershot, Dagger
- Digital Story of the Year, Multimedia Sports Story: Cadence Schapker, Anna Shaikun, Wyatt Meyer, Cooper Jones, Evan Cornish; 57th Classic City Championship Package
- Digital Story of the Year, Podcast: Emlyn McKinney, Letter to my younger self: Emlyn McKinney
- Digital Story of the Year, Blog: Isabella Westrich, Rose-colored glasses
- Photo of the Year, News Photo: Aza Khan, Graduate
- Story of the Year, Sports Story: Wyatt Meyer, The impossible dream
- Best Use of Social Media: Social Media Promotion: Olivia Hendershot, Victoria Garland
