The ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Boards pose for a photo at the National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Nov 9., 2024. Nineteen members of the organizations were recognized for distinguished service on April 4. “These young people work diligently to fairly, accurately and intentionally tell balanced stories for our community,” OMG founder and adviser David Ragsdale said. “Even if they don’t pursue journalism in the future, the skills they’ve acquired will carry them for years to come.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Nineteen ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine staff members were recognized with the National Scholastic Press Association’s Leadership Award in Student Journalism.
The National Scholastic Press Association, the nation’s largest association serving scholastic media, named approximately 1,500 high school journalists as recipients of the Leadership Award in Student Journalism on April 4.
Locally, the following students from Clarke Central High School were honored: Peter Atchley, Lea D’Angelo, Samaya Ellis, Cara “Niles” Flath, Victoria Garland, Adah Hamman, Olivia Hendershot, Merren Hines, Abigail Holloway, Cooper Jones, Wyatt Meyer, Cesia Martinez, Mary “Margo” McDaniel, Emlyn McKinney, Liza Larson, Miles Lawrence, Mzée Pavlić, Jane Ripps, Sylvia Robinson, Lydia Rowell. Liya Taylor, Angel Tejada and Iliana Tejada.
“NSPA is pleased to honor such a distinguished group of student journalists,” Gary Lundgren, NSPA Associate Director, stated in an April 4 press release. “The leadership demonstrated by these students during their two years working on high school media will serve them well for careers in journalism or any future endeavors.”
“These young people work diligently to fairly, accurately and intentionally tell balanced stories for our community.”
— David Ragsdale,
OMG founder and adviser
To earn the NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism, a high school student must serve with distinction for at least two years on the staff of an NSPA-member high school broadcast, literary arts magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, specialty magazine, website or yearbook by the end of the current school year.
Students are nominated by their advisers. A specific grade-point average is not required; however, students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate journalistic excellence and staff leadership while maintaining the high ethical standards outlined in the NSPA Model Code of Ethics. For ODYSSEY Media Group founder and adviser David Ragsdale, the recognition is important.
“These young people work diligently to fairly, accurately and intentionally tell balanced stories for our community,” Ragsdale said. “Even if they don’t pursue journalism in the future, the skills they’ve acquired will carry them for years to come.”
