Photographer Aza Khan takes a picture at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association conference on March 25. Khan reflects on her time in ODYSSEY and the transition from journalism online during COVID-19 Pandemic to Room 231.”When I came to Room 231 for the first time at the 2021 ODYSSEY Summer Workshop, I felt like an imposter. I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and that continued throughout my sophomore year until I found my passion,” Khan wrote. Photo by Isabelle Duncan
A different lens
Photography Editor and Journalism I Facilitator Aza Khan reflects on her four years in the ODYSSEY.
I started my journalism career in my room, on my laptop, under the covers during the COVID disaster that was freshman year. I never even stepped foot inside Clarke Central, but there I was, learning about journalism with a bunch of other randos from behind a Zoom screen.
When I came to Room 231 for the first time at the 2021 ODYSSEY Summer Workshop, I felt like an imposter. I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and that continued throughout my sophomore year until I found my passion.
When I came to Room 231 for the first time at the 2021 ODYSSEY Summer Workshop, I felt like an imposter. I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and that continued throughout my sophomore year until I found my passion.
I always wondered what kept me in the program despite the many hardships I faced. Whether it was disagreements with my editors, overcoming self-doubt, or cold wars with my peers, all it took was a heart-to-heart and an honest conversation with OMG adviser Mr. David Ragsdale, although sometimes he was the main one I’d be in a quarrel with.
But as much as I impacted ODYSSEY, ODYSSEY impacted me just as much.
Fast forward four years, and I am confident in my leadership and academia. I spent four years in the program specializing in social media and photography and received national recognition for it. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my peers, the Journalism I kids, and my loved ones.
