The ODYSSEY Media Group poses for a photo at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC. on March 7 during the Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention. The National Scholastic Press Association named the OMG website a Pacemaker Finalist on March 10. “I feel proud and honored,” Managing Editor Peter Atchley said. “A Pacemaker is an excellent mark of success, so for the ODYSSEY to achieve one is incredible. Personally, I feel grateful, and I hope the rest of the staff feels the same way.” Photo by Grady Dunston, story by Lara Ahmed.
The National Scholastic Press Association recognized the ODYSSEY Media Group website as a Pacemaker finalist on March 10.
The National Scholastic Press Association named 40 scholastic journalism websites as Pacemaker finalists on March 10. The ODYSSEY Media Group was recognized as a Pacemaker finalist for the second year in a row.
“The NSPA Pacemaker, one of the oldest awards for scholastic journalism, has a rich tradition. The association started presenting the prestigious award to high school newspapers soon after the organization was founded in 1921,” the organization stated in a March 12 press release. “Throughout the years, yearbooks, magazines, online sites, broadcast programs and innovation were added to the competition.”
For Digital Editor-in-Chief Lea D’Angelo, the announcement came as a welcomed surprise.
“To find out that we were a finalist for the award was personally a shock for me, which was partially because I didn’t know NSPA was going to announce them that day until the morning of,” Digital Editor-in-Chief Lea D’Angelo said. “I think it can also be easy to lose sight of how well we’re doing amidst all the deadlines and late nights, so to have that as a reality check, saying that we’re doing something right felt good.”
The Pacemaker winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 18.
“As a senior, I have seen our publication do a lot of great things. No matter the award, it feels amazing to know we are being recognized for the work we have done throughout the year,” Managing Editor Peter Atchley said. “Because I’m the Managing Editor, I get to work with everyone and see their growth. This award isn’t just for one person’s work. This award signifies programmatic success that we should all be proud of.”
“I think it can be easy to lose sight of how well we’re doing amidst all the deadlines and late nights, so to have that as a reality check, saying that we’re doing something right felt good.”
— Lea D’Angelo,
OMG Digital Editor-in-Chief
The ODYSSEY website was named a Pacemaker finalist in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2025. The program’s website received a Pacemaker Award in 2013, 2018 and 2025.
For OMG founder and adviser David Ragsdale, the website being named a finalist in back-to-back years is due in no small part to the determination of D’Angelo to showcase the work of her classmates.
“D’Angelo has demonstrated immense commitment through her leadership, conferencing and laser-like focus,” Ragsdale said. “The pride she takes in packaging the stories of her colleagues is a sight to behold.”
