Members of the ODYSSEY Media Group Editorial Board pose in the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center during the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association’s National High School Journalism Convention Awards Ceremony on Nov. 15. The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was named a winner of NSPA’s prestigious Pacemaker award during the ceremony, its second time winning since 2009. “For the last 15 years, the Pacemaker has truly been a white whale for the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine,” OMG adviser David A. Ragsdale said. “I’m incredibly grateful to our seniors last year for leading the way and leveling up our already solid foundation established by ODYSSEY legends of the past.” Photo by Chris Waugaman
The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was named a Pacemaker winner on Nov. 15 at the National High School Journalism Convention, its second time in 14 years.
For only the second time since the ODYSSEY Media Group’s founding in 2001 and the first time in 14 years, the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine earned a Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association at the organization’s National High School Journalism Convention Awards Ceremony in Nashville, Tn. on Nov. 15.
The Pacemaker is NSPA’s highest award, presented annually to publications that rise above their counterparts in all areas. The ODYSSEY was one of 34 finalists named in the Newspaper/Newsmagazine/Specialty Magazine category on Sept. 11, 19 of which were named winners at the convention.
“In addition to demonstrating excellence in key areas including coverage, writing, editing, design and photography, the winning newspapers/newsmagazines took risks and served as a strong voice for its student audience,” Pacemaker competition Associate Director and Coordinator Gary Lundgren stated in a Nov. 15 NSPA press release.
The 2024-25 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was recognized as a Pacemaker winner by the National Scholastic Press Association on Nov. 15. 2025-26 Print Editor-in-Chief Liza Larson, who served as the News Editor during the 2024-25 school year, reflected on the importance of the award and the standard it has set. “It’s daunting to follow such a large award and extremely talented leadership last year,” Larson said. “Though it’s scary, I have been set up to continue doing great things and am surrounded by amazing people who share a common vision with me.” Timeline by Cadence Schapker, Wyatt Meyer and Lea D’Angelo
This is the newsmagazine’s second time being named a Pacemaker, with a total of seven nominations beginning in 2009. The current award recognized work done during the 2024-25 school year under the leadership of former Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer, now a Harvard University freshman.
“This program has been working incredibly hard, and been incredibly successful, for almost 15 years without winning a print Pacemaker. The fact we’ve reached that point now is incredibly telling,” Meyer said. “We come into this process from a public school, with a single adviser, less than 30 production students, in short, (we) enjoy none of the structural advantages that many other programs do. To overcome those barriers is incredibly meaningful, as well.”
“It was incredibly exciting and rewarding to win a Pacemaker. I inherited not only an award-winning publication but also a strong foundation to continue doing amazing work.”
— Liza Larson,
2025-26 Print Editor-in-Chief
For Print Editor-in-Chief Liza Larson, who led the production of the fourth issue of the 2024-25 school year under Meyer’s guidance along with ODYSSEY Media Group founder and adviser David A. Ragsdale, the award both serves as recognition and a standard to uphold.
“It was incredibly exciting and rewarding to win a Pacemaker. I inherited not only an award-winning publication but also a strong foundation to continue doing amazing work,” Larson said. “I am beyond proud and grateful for everyone and their work and am excited to see what we can do in the future.”
For Ragsdale, the impact and value of earning the Pacemaker is analogous to winning a championship in the NBA or a Super Bowl in the NFL.
“It’s a chip, no doubt about it. For the last 15 years, the Pacemaker has truly been a white whale for the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine,” Ragsdale said. “I’m incredibly grateful to our seniors last year for leading the way and leveling up our already solid foundation established by ODYSSEY legends of the past.”
Ragsdale wants to see the recognition set the benchmark for the next generation of ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staffers.
“If we take care of our process through fair, accurate and relevant storytelling in our community, honor the commitments we made to each other to do our best,” Ragsdale said. “This award can set the standard for amazing things to come. I’m eager to see what this year’s team has in store.”
