ODYSSEY Media Group members participate in Fall Media Day in the Clarke Central High School Competition Gym on Sept. 8, 2024. Through compilation and packaging of collaborative projects like Media Day, the OMG website was evaluated as “All American” by the National Scholastic Press Association on Feb. 11. “The ODYSSEY stands as a model for student journalism nationwide. Its clear mission and vision permeate every aspect of the site, creating a cohesive and compelling experience for readers,” NSPA judge Debra Klevens wrote in her critique. Photo by Ma’Kiyah Thasher
The ODYSSEY Media Group’s website received an All-American rating from the National Scholastic Press Association.
The National Scholastic Press Association recognized the ODYSSEY Media Group for its online coverage in the 2024-25 school year by evaluating the OMG website with an “All-American” ranking in a critique released on Feb. 11.
The NSPA critique service provides publications with evaluations and guidance on improving reader services. The OMG website received marks of distinction in the following areas: Coverage & Content, Interactivity & Community, Breaking News, Design & Navigation, Interactive Media & Frequency and Site Design.
The website’s overall score of 498 out of 500 points sets it at NSPA’s highest ranking, “All American.”
“The ODYSSEY stands as a model for student journalism nationwide. Its clear mission and vision permeate every aspect of the site, creating a cohesive and compelling experience for readers,” NSPA judge Debra Klevens wrote in her critique.
This achievement improves upon the website’s previous ranking for the 2023-2024 school year, which was First-Class evaluation with 465 out of a possible 500 points.
Editorial Board members of the ODYSSEY Media Group receive recognition on Nov. 9, 2024 from the National Scholastic Press Association for Third Place in the Best in Show competition for schools with more than 1800 students. Under the leadership of OMG Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer and Digital Editor Lea D’Angelo, the website was once again recognized by NSPA on Feb. 11 as an “All American” website. “It was really rewarding to see how all of the work the Digital Team has put in throughout the year and (how) all of the new things we’ve tried have paid off,” D’Angelo said. Photo from OMG archives
“Awards are a great way to measure growth over time, and I think the All-American classification shows ours,” OMG Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer said. “At the start of the semester, I made a point to support our digital staff with more content and to encourage website stories to be promoted further, so to see that rewarded gives me confidence in our staff, and especially Digital Editor Lea D’Angelo, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
D’Angelo expressed similar gratitude toward the feedback shown in the critique.
“It was really rewarding to see how all of the work the Digital Team has put in throughout the year and (how) all of the new things we’ve tried have paid off,” D’Angelo said.
David Ragsdale, OMG founder and adviser, credits the website’s recognition to the collaborative efforts of the team.
“I felt strongly that this year’s team would be rewarded for their diligence and hard work in showcasing the stories not only of our school but of our community,” Ragsdale said. “I feel that we had a great foundation that had been laid out for us from previous leadership, but I have to hang my hat on the collaborative work of D’Angelo and Meyer, who worked tirelessly to make sure that we’re putting quality work on our website.”
