Seniors Ethan Caspary Poucher, Mykolas Kumpis, Lucas Donnelly, Salai Diekumpuna, Michael Campbell, Antonio Starks, Kaija Gilbertson Hall and Nico Willman (left to right) pose for a picture with CCHS English department chair and ODYSSEY Media Group adviser David Ragsdale outside of Trump’s Catering following the 2023 ODYSSEY Media Group Awards Banquet on May 21. Starks felt the event demonstrated the strong connection between staff members that had grown over the course of the year. “I really felt like everyone was connected to each other. We were all just celebrating everyone’s work, (and) I just really am appreciative of the community that we’ve built here,” Starks said. Photo by Aza Khan
On May 21, ODYSSEY Media Group staff, family and friends came together at Trump’s Catering to celebrate a year’s worth of student achievement.
The ODYSSEY Media Group celebrated a year’s worth of learning and achievement on May 21, hosting ODYSSEY staff, family and friends at Trump’s Catering on Milledge Avenue. Along with being a celebration of the staff’s work, the banquet served as a way to celebrate the program’s eight departing seniors.
For CCHS senior and Viewpoints Staffer Antonio Starks, the banquet was a good chance to celebrate the staff’s accomplishments and wrap up the year.
“(The banquet) was just a very surreal experience, and I think that it will carry with me throughout my life,” Starks said. “I really felt like everyone was connected to each other. We were all just celebrating everyone’s work, (and) I just really am appreciative of the community that we’ve built here.”
CCHS senior and iliad Outreach Director Salai Diekumpuna applauds a speech during the 2023 ODYSSEY Media Group Awards Banquet, held at Trump’s Catering on May 21. CCHS English Department chair and ODYSSEY Media Group Adviser David Ragsdale believed the reactions to the senior speeches was indicative of the dedication and hard work put into the program throughout the year. “I know some parents got emotional seeing their kids up there. I think some of the speakers got a little choked up. (That’s) just a testament to the hard work they’ve engaged in,” Ragsdale said. Photo by Aza Khan
Almost the entirety of the freshman Journalism 1 class was present at the banquet, including CCHS freshman and J1 student Jack Luken.
“It was a pretty awesome first (banquet for me). The senior speeches were great, it was a new way to learn about them now that they’re graduating,” Luken said. “They did a lot of work over their years in ODYSSEY and to see that culminate (was cool to see). It just makes me wish I had gotten to know them better.”
CCHS English department chair and OMG adviser David Ragsdale says the annual banquet has been held since 2004.
“(The banquet) is the last hurrah. There’s certainly people I wish could have been there to see it,” Ragsdale said. “I felt very good about all the senior farewell speeches. I thought everyone did a great job conveying their personal journeys with the program. I know some parents got emotional seeing their kids up there. I think some of the speakers got a little choked up. (That’s) just a testament to the hard work they’ve engaged in.”
“I felt very good about all the senior farewell speeches. I thought everyone did a great job conveying their personal journeys with the program. I know some parents got emotional seeing their kids up there. I think some of the speakers got a little choked up. (That’s) just a testament to the hard work they’ve engaged in.”
— David Ragsdale,
ODYSSEY Media Group adviser
Most attendees were ODYSSEY members and their family, including Editor-At-Large Nico Willman’s father, Danny Malec. The 2023 banquet was Malec’s first, and gave him a new perspective on the ODYSSEY’s work.
“I realize now, being a father of somebody who is going through this graduation process that you get caught off guard by the emotional aspects of it. It was intense for me just because I’m reflecting (on) all kinds of experiences that he’s had both in ODYSSEY (and) just growing up,” Malec said. “So it was emotional, and I’m just very proud and happy that he’s had the chance to be a part of this program.”
Awards:
Iliad Lorien Awards
Lorien Art: Disfigured Reflections by Sofia Morales
Lorien Photography: Silenced by Temprince Battle
Lorien Prose: Praised to Death by Ayanna Lonon
Lorien Poetry: I’m Chemical by Da’oud DeLane
Staff Awards:
Visual Artist of the Year: Aza Khan
Editor of the Year: Wyatt Meyer
Rookie of the Year: Mykolas Kumpis
John H. Wells-Chrismon Hinsch “Spirit of the ODYSSEY” (Production): Audrey St. Onge
John H. Wells-Chrismon Hinsch “Spirit of the ODYSSEY” (J1): Peter Atchley
J1 Facilitator of the Year: Nico Willman
Aaron Patrick Holmes MVP: Molly Harwell
Editor Awards:
Editor’s Choice presented by Molly Harwell: Jane Ripps
Editor’s Choice iliad presented by Kaija Gilbertson Hall: Olivia Hendershot
Adviser Awards:
Steve Hinsch Extra Mile Awards: Nico Willman, Jenn Shaikun, Kim Ripps, Dr. Claire Stice
Mary Grace Hager Iliad Leadership Award Kaija Gilbertson Hall
Bryan Barks-Caroline Foster iliad Committment Award: Ethan Caspary
Alexander M. Stephens Embodiment of Excellence: Maya Clement
Natalie Renee Wilson Leadership Award: Molly Harwell
