ODYSSEY MEDIA GROUP
Clarke Central High School
350 S. Milledge Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30605
1,880 students
Phone: (706) 357-5200, Ext. 17370
Fax: (706) 357-5269
Established in 2003, the ODYSSEY Media Group is a student-run news organization that operates as a convergence model, where student journalists produce a range of content that is published in our newsmagazine, social media, YouTube and on our website under the guidance of the founder and faculty adviser David A. Ragsdale, CJE.
The purpose of the OMG is to inform, entertain, and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community. Programmatically, the OMG provides students the opportunity to become journalists through rigorous hands-on training. Students will interview stakeholders in the CCHS and Athens community, write a variety of story genres from breaking news to editorials, learn how to create multimedia and quality designs and explore other areas of journalism such as broadcast, podcast, and photography.
Throughout the experiential learning process, students will become proficient in collaborative work and grow personally and professionally with the support of the Editorial Board.
Vision Statement:The ODYSSEY Media Group is available to voice the concerns of the Clarke Central High School and Athens communities, to promote truth and transparency in times of unease, and to deter inaccuracy and the spread of misinformation.
Mission Statement:The ODYSSEY Media Group is a student-produced news source for Clarke Central High School that informs, entertains and gives voice to CCHS students through fair, accurate and balanced news and commentary. The OMG educates student journalists, providing them with opportunities for growth as communicators, leaders and advocates for justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I join the ODYSSEY Media Group?
The ODYSSEY offers various opportunities for aspiring journalists and photographers, as well as graphic designers, videographers, business-minded folks, and website developers. Rising 9th graders should receive information from their ELA teachers at the start of registration and the application will be due in early March. Interviews will be scheduled following the review of applications. Apply here.
If I’m not in the class, can I still get published?
Members of the Clarke Central High School community outside of the ODYSSEY Media Group staff have opportunities to submit to the publication through writing and visual content. Submitted materials must meet our standards as outlined on our Policies page. Email editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net to contribute.
How do I submit a Letter to the Editor?
Submitted letters must meet our standards as outlined on our Policies page. Email editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net.
Does the OMG engage in prior review?
The Journalism Education Association denounces the practice of administrative prior review as serving no legitimate educational purpose, a stance the ODYSSEY Media Group and its adviser endorse. We feel prior review leads to censorship by school officials and/or to self-censorship by students with no discernable improvement in journalistic quality or learning.
How do I subscribe?
The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine is printed quarterly from August through May, producing four issues in one school year. Mailed ODYSSEY subscriptions are $32, plus a GoFan service charge. Click here.
Is the ODYSSEY connected with any national organizations?
The ODYSSEY is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Georgia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Southern Interscholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll Honor Society. The OMG’s adviser is a Certified Journalism Educator through JEA, is the JEA Georgia State Director, is the SIPA Executive Committee Chair and serves on the Advisory Committee for GSPA.
How can I support the OMG?
There are several ways to support the ODYSSEY Media Group including donations of food, guest speaking, financial contributions and volunteering for fundraising. Check our Booster Club’s homepage for information on how you can help or email Mr. Ragsdale.
Is ODYSSEY a club or a class?
There are two journalism class periods at Clarke Central High School. First-year students are enrolled in the introductory course, Journalism 1, and returning students are enrolled in the Production class. Both classes give students the opportunity to be published on the media group’s platforms including the website, newsmagazine, our social media and in the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. In order to create content for these platforms, students are expected to attend after-school workdays on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Snacks will be provided. During these work sessions, students from the two classes interact with each other to bond and work together. Likewise, these sessions offer a great opportunity to receive feedback on assignments.