A gallery depicting ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Janie Ripps’ time in the program (2021-2025) is shown. Ripps joined the Production class as a freshman and found it helped her step outside of her comfort zone. “From that fateful day in August of 2021 to now, I have learned how to embrace challenges and turn them into something worth conquering,” Ripps wrote. Photos from the ODYSSEY archives
Embracing the journey
Managing Editor Jane Ripps reflects on her four-year career in the ODYSSEY Media Group.
The first time I walked into Room 231, I was greeted by the new concept of journalism, and 30 faces of students I had never met before.
Although daunting, this first day of class was just the beginning of a very important four-year lesson: how to step outside of my comfort zone.
Fresh out of middle school, I knew nothing about working with upperclassmen, operating on production deadlines, or even journalistic writing. As the years progressed, though, I explored various avenues of scholastic journalism while growing my leadership and communication skills.
Today, I have a sense of the leader I want to be, and a passion for storytelling I will translate to all areas of my life post-graduation.
From Sports Staffer to Social Media Coordinator, Viewpoints Editor, Variety Editor and now Managing Editor, my work within the OMG has provided me with a forum to report on topics relevant to my community, while investing in myself. It has also given me a community of eager students to collaborate with and learn from.
Today, I have a sense of the leader I want to be, and a passion for storytelling I will translate to all areas of my life post-graduation.
While there will be new challenges to face as I turn to my chapter, there is one thing I am sure of: from that fateful day in August of 2021 to now, I have learned how to embrace challenges and turn them into something worth conquering.
