Clarke Central High School Class of 2020 alumna and 2019-2020 ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Elena Gilbertson-Hall, CCHS Class of 2023 alumna and 2021-2023 iliad Editor-in-Chief Kaija Gilbertson-Hall, current OMG Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell and OMG adviser David Ragsdale (left to right) pose outside the trophy case on Dec. 20, 2023. Both the iliad and the ODYSSEY (as a hybrid online/print publication) were designated as Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Award Finalists on Jan. 17. “The ODYSSEY is a hybrid publication, print and web entered together, meaning that this is a huge uniting achievement for us,” current OMG Digital Editor-in-Chief Anna Shaikun said. “While it’s an honor just to be designated as a finalist, I hope our whole staff can be recognized even further for their hard work. We received that Gold Crown last year, so I’m optimistic about our chances this year.” Photo by Aza Khan
After being recognized as Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown finalists, the ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine will seek Gold Crown awards at the CSPA conference in March.
The ODYSSEY Media Group/ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine were recognized as Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown finalists on Jan. 17.
CSPA is an international student press association focused on student and adviser empowerment. As Crown finalists, both publications will receive either a Silver Crown or Gold Crown award at the CSPA conference in March, with the Gold Crown being the association’s highest honor.
“CSPA’s Board of Judges selected only 213 finalists from 672 entries submitted from across the country and around the world. Not every publication that enters is selected as a Crown finalist,” a Jan. 17 press release from CSPA stated. “Your school’s staff exemplifies the type of journalism and storytelling that CSPA is proud to recognize and feature during its annual awards program.”
For ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell, who was a first-time EIC last year, the recognition is very affirming.
“My first year as Editor-in-Chief had its ups and downs, but being recognized makes it all worth it,” Harwell said. “It’s because of my staff’s incredible hard work last year that we are in the running for such a prestigious award, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we produced. I am so thankful to CSPA for considering us for such a high honor, and I hope this momentum continues, even after I have graduated.”
“My first year as Editor-in-Chief had its ups and downs, but being recognized makes it all worth it. It’s because of my staff’s incredible hard work last year that we are in the running for such a prestigious award, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we produced. I am so thankful to CSPA for considering us for such a high honor, and I hope this momentum continues, even after I have graduated.”
— Molly Harwell,
ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief
Iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot served as Social Media Coordinator last year under her predecessor, Kaija Gilbertson-Hall, a two-time iliad Editor-in-Chief, and is grateful for her mentorship.
“I’m glad I got to work under Kaija when she was making ‘Flourish’ (the 2023 edition of the magazine) as the EIC. I saw her dedication and care for the program, which is what the program is built off of,” Hendershot said. “We wouldn’t be a finalist without her.”
While some scholastic journalism competitions evaluate print and online publications separately, OMG Digital Editor-in-Chief Anna Shaikun appreciates CSPA’s inclusive approach. Shaikun’s career with the OMG has been spent packaging and creating online content for the program.
“Last year, all of Digital was new to their positions, and the majority of the print Editorial Board was fresh as well,” Shaikun said. “Web and print had their independent struggles, but we entered as a hybrid publication, so our finalist status is a huge uniting achievement for us. While it’s an honor just to be designated as a finalist, I hope our whole staff can be recognized even further for their hard work – we’re aiming for that Gold Crown.”
“Last year, all of Digital was new to their positions, and the majority of the print Editorial Board was fresh as well. Web and print had their independent struggles, but we entered as a hybrid publication, so our finalist status is a huge uniting achievement for us. While it’s an honor just to be designated as a finalist, I hope our whole staff can be recognized even further for their hard work – we’re aiming for that Gold Crown.”
— Anna Shaikun,
ODYSSEY Media Group Digital Editor-in-Chief
Both the OMG and iliad have received several CSPA Crowns through the years, but for OMG adviser David Ragdale, the thrill never gets old.
“Our young people invest in each other, the stories of their community and continually provide an open public forum for student expression,” Ragsdale said. “I salute last year’s Editors-in-Chief Molly Harwell of the ODYSSEY and Kaija Gilbertson Hall of the iliad for their leadership. They have set the bar high for future generations.”
