ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer, a senior, gives a speech at the 2024 Southern Interscholastic Press Association conference in Columbia, South Carolina on March 3, 2024. The Georgia Scholastic Press Association named Meyer Georgia’s Champion Journalist after being named Georgia’s Junior Champion Journalist last year. “I was honored and proud of the effort I’ve put in over three and a half years that resulted in this honor,” Meyer said. “I don’t think (this award) is so much important for personal achievement, but I think it’s more recognition of the work I’ve done.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
Clarke Central High School students Wyatt Meyer, Jane Ripps and Peter Atchley were named top of their classes among Georgia scholastic journalists.
ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer, a senior, has been named the 2025 Georgia Champion Journalist of the Year – an award recognizing the top high school senior journalist in Georgia – by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Education Association on March 3.
The winners were judged by their submitted portfolio that included their journalism and academic accolades. Portfolios were scored based on the following categories: Reporting and Writing, Editing, Leadership and Team Building, Web and Social Media, Design, Broadcast Journalism, Photojournalism, Law, Ethics and New Literacy, Marketing and Audience Engagement and Commitment to Diversity.
ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer, a senior, poses with his mother, Willow Tracy, after celebrating his 2024 Georgia Junior Champion Journalist award in Room 231 at Clarke Central High School on March 7, 2024. Since joining ODYSSEY as a freshman, Meyer has reinforced his commitment to journalism by utilizing the power of it. “I’ve been wanting to be Editor-in-Chief ever since freshman year. Over time, I’ve continued to be interested in the power that journalism has,” Meyer said. “(As) Editor-in-Chief, I get to explore that (power) myself and become the best journalist while also uplifting others and making them better.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
For Meyer, being recognized by the GSPA for his hard work is nothing new. In 2024, he was named the Georgia Junior Champion Journalist. With big aspirations since freshman year, Meyer entered his senior year looking to build on this success.
“I’m really happy to win (as) I put a lot of time and energy into refining my portfolio. I’ve done a lot to make myself a better and stronger candidate than (when) I was a junior,” Meyer said. “This year, I am driven to be a powerful journalist (so) I’ve been working on more in-depth (and) immersive stories.”
ODYSSEY Media Group’s adviser David Ragsdale, who has worked with Meyer all four years of high school, believes Meyer’s work speaks for itself.
“Wyatt has distinguished himself throughout his career, so the recognition is appreciated, if not fully expected. Wyatt leads by example, he doesn’t ask of others that which he isn’t willing to do on his own,” Ragsdale said. “Seeing how he showcased his abilities in the portfolio certainly let the evaluators know how serious he is about this work.”
Meyer, who will receive a plaque and $1000 prize for his accomplishment, is one of the many former ODYSSEY students to win Georgia Champion Journalist. He joins Isabel Bryan Barks (2009), Kinsey Clark (2011), Carlo Nasisse (2012), Jenny Alpaugh (2014), Tiernan O’Neill (2016), Sophie Fernandes (2017), Lucia Bermudez (2018), Elena Gilbertson Hall (2020), Owen Donnelly (2021) and Molly Harwell (2024).
“I’m really happy to win (as) I put a lot of time and energy into refining my portfolio. I’ve done a lot to make myself a better and stronger candidate than (when) I was a junior,”
— Wyatt Meyer,
ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief
In addition to the Georgia Champion Journalist of the Year, GSPA also recognizes a runner-up. ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Janie Ripps was selected as the Georgia Champion Journalist Runner Up.
Maya Clement (left) and ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Janie Ripps (right) display the “Best Design” award their group earned during the Team On-Site Production competition at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association in Columbia, South Carolina on March 3, 2024. After being notified of being Runner-up as Georgia’s Champion Journalist, Ripps reflected on the ODYSSEY Media Group’s impact on her. “ODYSSEY has always been an outlet for me to produce work bigger than just myself. I’ve not only become a better writer but also a better communicator and peer in and outside of the classroom,” Ripps said. “Regardless of the awards and recognition, our media group has always symbolized a place where I can be a voice and leader.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
An avid writer from a young age, it wasn’t until her freshman year that Ripps discovered the impact of her work.
“(In) October of 2022, my mindset changed. I was assigned to investigate discrepancies between male and female athletics at my school. I came to realize that journalism isn’t this constricting box, bound by the AP style and objectiveness I had associated it with,” Ripps wrote in her personal narrative. “Rather, in a school with over 1,900 students, I could be a voice for change. I discovered the change my words could ensue.”
Ripps has embraced a growth mindset throughout her time with the ODYSSEY Media Group. According to Ragsdale – who also evaluates other Journalist of the Year competitions in other states – Ripps’ portfolio stood out.
“I knew Jane would have a highly competitive portfolio. She’s been on the cutting edge of all things ODYSSEY since she was a freshman,” Ragsdale said. “This recognition is a culmination of her many years of hard work.”
Ripps, who will receive a plaque and $750 prize for her accomplishment, is the 16th ODYSSEY member to receive this award. She joins Julia Wilson (2005), Rachel Bowers (2007), Lisa Glaser (2008), Caroline Foster (2009), Isabel Atkinson (2010), Lauren Pruitt (2011), Emma Kissane (2012), Chloe Hargrave (2013), Austin Defoor (2014), Louise Platter (2015), Kevin Mobley (2016), Aneesa Conine-Nakano (2018), Valeria Garcia-Pozo (2019), Mackenzie Caudill (2020), Natalie Ripps (2021) and Audrey Enghauser (2022).
In addition to recognizing the Georgia Champion Journalist of the Year for high school seniors, GSPA also recognizes the top high school junior journalist in the state. ODYSSEY Media Group Diversity and Representation Editor Peter Atchley was recognized as the 2025 Georgia Junior Champion Journalist.
Atchley began preparing for his portfolio submission as a sophomore, one of few sophomores in his grade-level cohort to submit a complete portfolio for his journalism course. Although he initially lacked confidence in his chances of winning, the recognition reaffirms his commitment to journalism.
2024 Georgia Scholastic Press Association Georgia Champion Journalist Molly Harwell, a Clarke Central High School Class of 2024 alumna, and ODYSSEY Media Group Diversity and Representation Editor Peter Atchley, a junior, display the “Best Story” award their group earned during the Team On-Site Production competition at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association in Columbia, South Carolina on March 3, 2024. Atchley paralleled his journalistic career to collaging. “I call myself a collagist because what makes me a creative individual is how I take information and my writing to create something I am proud of,” Atchley wrote in his personal narrative. “As a journalist, I am all about uplifting others’ voices and pushing myself farther so I can continue to grow.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
“Journalism hasn’t always come the easiest to me (but) I’m still fighting to be good at it,” Atchley said. “Something like this (award) recognizes the amount of work I’ve put into to get to the level I am and also pushes me (for) senior year.”
Although Atchley may have had his doubts, Ragsdale was confident that his dedication and hard work made his portfolio a contender for the 2025 Georgia Junior Champion Journalist.
“Peter was hesitant to enter the competition, but I know the care he takes in all things he tackles,” Ragsdale said. “He works diligently to tell stories and to represent our school community. ‘Pete The Cat’ is a consummate team player and with a little positive self-talk, he realized (he had) a great portfolio.”
Atchley, who will receive a plaque and a $750 prize, is the most recent addition to CCHS juniors designated as Junior Champion Journalist. Former CCHS juniors to receive the award include Clark (2010), Alpaugh (2013), Aaron Holmes (2014), O’Neill (2015), Fernandes (2016), Johanna Hall (2017), Ana Aldridge (2018), Gilbertson Hall (2019), Donnelly (2020), Audrey Enghauser (2021), Maya Clement (2023) and Meyer (2024).
“Journalism hasn’t always come the easiest to me (but) I’m still fighting to be good at it,”
— Peter Atchley,
ODYSSEY Media Group Diversity and Representation Editor
For Ragsdale, who founded the ODYSSEY in 2003 with a core group of students, the recognition of this year’s winners means something special.
“They are contributing to a proud legacy. It feels good to know this program has produced 51 finalists and runners-up in our 22 years,” Ragsdale said. “That’s a testament to aspiring towards excellence and a belief in programmatic values.”
