2024-25 ODYSSEY Media Group seniors pose with OMG adviser and founder David Ragsdale at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s convention. The 2024-25 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was awarded with NSPA’s highest rating, which was accompanied by a critique of the publication with both praise and suggestions for improvement. “It was both validating and incredibly humbling. It reminded me just how powerful student journalism can be when we push ourselves to tell stories that matter,” Larson said. “Recognition like this is amazing, but our real goal is to keep producing work that makes people stop and think.” Photo by David Ragsdale
The 2024-25 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine received a rating of All-American from the National Scholastic Press Association.
The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine earned the National Scholastic Press Association’s highest evaluation, an All-American rating, in its critique for the 2024-25 school year.
Through its critique service, the association provides publications with suggestions for improvement in reader services and coverage. The ODYSSEY received Marks of Distinction in Coverage and Content, Visuals, Text and Presentation.
“This is the third time that I have critiqued the Odyssey. It gets better every time,” NSPA Judge Ron Goins said. “Producing a publication is always about overcoming the obstacles. Congratulations for doing an outstanding job and giving me the opportunity to critique your work. I look forward to seeing the improvements to come.”
“I’m proud to have worked with a team that not only achieved this distinction, but also one that improved on its evaluation score for the third consecutive year.”
— Wyatt Meyer,
2024-25 OMG Editor-in-Chief
The ODYSSEY also had an overall score of 484 out of 500 possible points, an improvement from its scores of 447 for 2023-24 and 425 for 2022-23
“Getting an All-American evaluation represents the ODYSSEY’s continued excellence in the field of scholastic journalism,” 2024-25 OMG Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer said. “I’m proud to have worked with a team that not only achieved this distinction, but also one that improved on its evaluation score for the third consecutive year.”
For 2025-26 OMG Print Editor-in-Chief Liza Larson, the critique not only serves as recognition, but a roadmap for the year to come.
ODYSSEY Media Group founder and adviser David Ragsdale (left) and 2024-25 Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer pose together on Feb. 4. The 2024-25 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was awarded with the National Scholastic Press Association’s highest rating of All-American. “We had ambitious and courageous leadership at the top. These experienced journalists sought to find truth and reported it to illuminate our readership in the interest of our community,” Ragsdale said. Photo courtesy of David Ragsdale
“Looking ahead to this year, that recognition is definitely fueling our goals. We’re setting the bar even higher, not just to win awards, but to continue growing as a publication,” Larson said. “The critiques we received gave us specific ways to improve, and we’re already integrating that feedback into how we plan, write, and package our stories. Whether it’s digging deeper in our reporting or taking more creative risks in design and layout, we’re using this momentum to evolve.”
OMG adviser and founder David Ragsdale sees the work that goes into producing award-winning student journalism and appreciates the innovative storytelling that last year’s staff accomplished.
“We had ambitious and courageous leadership at the top. These experienced journalists sought to find truth and reported it to illuminate our readership in the interest of our community,” Ragsdale said. “From open records requests and consultations with the Student Press Law Center to interviews with legislators, activists, mental health experts, district and community leaders, they set the bar high for our future generations.”
