ODYSSEY Media Group’s Class of 2025 seniors pose with OMG founder and adviser David A. Ragsdale at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s annual convention on March 9. The OMG was recognized as a Crown Award finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for their print and digital work during the 2024-25 school year. “Wyatt Meyer and Jane Ripps, our Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor for the 2024-2025 school year, set the pace not only in their senior year, but throughout their careers. Their contributions last year, especially, took us to new heights in reporting, coverage and editorial leadership,” Ragsdale said. Photo by Grady Dunston
The ODYSSEY Media Group was announced as a Crown Award finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association on Dec. 10.
The ODYSSEY Media Group staff was recognized as a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Award finalist for their print and digital work during the 2024-25 school year on Dec. 10.
The Crown Award is CSPA’s highest honor, given to publications that demonstrate excellence in photography, concept, writing and coverage. A total of 526 publications were eligible for the award, with the OMG competing as a hybrid publication in the News Publication category.
“I’m proud that the ODYSSEY was named a 2024-25 Crown Finalist, another payoff of our work ethic last year,” Wyatt Meyer, the 2024-25 ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief said. “Being recognized by multiple organizations is truly validating.”
“I am immensely proud of everyone. I hope that this honor is a reminder to everyone that hard work really does pay off and that it matters that we always put in effort.”
— Peter Atchley,
ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor
For OMG Managing Editor Peter Atchley, who served as the Diversity and Representation Editor during the 2024-25 school year, the recognition is a testament to the collaborative work of the staff and sets a standard to strive for.
“As someone who had a stake in both web and print last year, it means the world that both sides were recognized for their hard work,” Atchley said. “I am immensely proud of everyone. I hope that this honor is a reminder to everyone that hard work really does pay off and that it matters that we always put in effort.”
Winners of the Gold and Silver Crown Awards will be announced at CSPA’s Annual Spring Convention on March 20, 2026. OMG adviser and founder David A. Ragsdale commended members of the 2024-25 Leadership Team for the recognition and potential award.
“Wyatt Meyer and Jane Ripps, our Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor for the 2024-2025 school year, set the pace not only in their senior year, but throughout their careers. Their contributions last year, especially, took us to new heights in reporting, coverage and editorial leadership,” Ragsdale said. “The foundation established by our past leaders was manifest in the actions and deeds of these two young people who shepherded our staff to excellence.”
