Digital Editor-in-Chief: Lea D’Angelo
Print Editor-in-Chief: Liza Larson
Managing Editor: Peter Atchley
Senior Copy Editor: Cooper Jones
Adviser: David Ragsdale
Staff Directory
Amelia Aldridge
Amelia Aldridge is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and Journalism I student for the ODYESSY Media Group. With this being her first year at CCHS, Aldridge is excited to branch out and meet a new group of people.
Edie Ash is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and serves as the Social Media Coordinator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through her work, Ash hopes to connect, grow and support her peers. In her free time, Ash loves to play golf, spend time with friends and swim.
Peter Atchley is a Clarke Central High School senior in Athens Georgia, and the Managing Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Atchley enjoys expressing his creativity, ideas, and opinions through his writing. Atchley wants to improve his organizational and communication skills. In his free time, Atchley enjoys painting, drawing, hanging out with his friends and watching scary movies.
Sasha Barkan is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a News Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This year, Barkan hopes to grow as a writer and interviewer and gain experience with a variety of journalistic mediums. In her free time, Barkan likes to rock climb, read and spend time with her friends and dogs.
Valeria Blanco Pirela
Singer Brinson is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Journalism I student for the ODYSSEY Media Group. With being new to the ODYSSEY, Brinson hopes that this can help her build her skills in teamwork and production. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and spending time with friends.
John Buckner
Lea D’Angelo is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and the Digital Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group.Through the program, D’Angelo hopes to expand the reach of ODYSSEY’s website and tell stories of her community. In her free time, she likes to read and hang out with her friends.
Violet Dockery is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Journalism I student in the ODYSSEY Media Group. She is in her first year of the ODYSSEY Media Group and she is excited to learn more about the writing process, and create new connections within her community. In her free time, Violet enjoys spending time with her family and friends and listening to music.
Grady Dunston is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Journalism I Facilitator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Dunston aims to teach incoming freshmen the basics of journalism so they can join production with a running start. Dunston likes to use downtime to run, play video games and watch movies.
Samaya Ellis is a senior and Journalism I Facilitator and Diversity and Representation Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. Ellis is committed to mentoring the next generation of student journalists by teaching them essential skills and guiding them to report stories accurately and professionally. In her free time, Ellis enjoys spending time with her pets, listening to music, and relaxing with loved ones.
Lucca Fleenor is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and serves as a News Staffer on the ODYSSEY Media Group.. Fleenor is looking forward to connecting with her peers, gaining experience, and learning journalistic skills. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, writing and reading.
Olive Forrester is a freshman and a Journalism I student for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. Forrester is thrilled to explore all aspects of journalism, and wants to excel. In her free time, she loves to play volleyball, bake and learn new hobbies.
Dream Freeman is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and serves as a Sports Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through his work, Freeman hopes to grow his journalistic skills, communication skill and professionalism. In his free time Freeman enjoys playing football, listening to music and hanging out with friends.
Isabella Gresham is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and the Viewpoints Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Over the course of the year, Gresham hopes to grow in her leadership skills and improve her writing and design abilities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and spending time with her friends.
Adah Hamman is a senior and the Variety Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. She hopes to leave a lasting impact on the OMG. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends and walking her dogs.
Izzy Hammock is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and is the Beat Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This year, Hammock hopes to expand her knowledge of journalistic writing and improve her skills as an editor, leader and team member. In her free time, Hammock enjoys drawing in her sketchbook and listening to music.
Merren Hines is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and the Business Manager for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Hines is hopeful of connecting with her team members and the environment around her. She is excited about meeting new people and leaders to gain skills, socially and academically. Hines’ hobbies are dancing and being with friends.
Abigail Holloway is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Digital Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Throughout the year, Holloway hopes to grow her journalistic talent and share the stories of those she interviews. In her free time, Holloway enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends.
Cooper Jones is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is the Senior Copy Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Jones hopes that he can ensure high-quality coverage of the Athens community and relevant issues, and enjoys spending time with friends in his free time.
Liza Larson is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and serves as the Print Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through her work in the program Larson hopes to tell the stories of her community as well as building connections with her peers. In her spare time, Larson loves to read, listen to music and spend time with friends.
Eloise Luken is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Variety Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Over this next year, Luken hopes to grow in her leadership skills and bond with other members of the staff. In her free time, Luken enjoys taking dance classes and hanging out with friends and family.
Oscar Malec
Oscar Malec is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Journalism I student for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Malec is very excited to explore the world of writing and journalism in his first year being a part of ODYSSEY. In his free time, he likes to play soccer and spend time with loved ones and friends.
Cesia Martinez is a junior at Clarke Central High School and a Variety Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Throughout the program Martinez hopes to make an impact for the OMG, and develop her writing skills. In her free time she enjoys traveling, and being with friends and family.
Emlyn McKinney is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and the News Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. McKinney hopes to grow more confident in themself and their leadership skills during their time with the OMG. When they’re not in school, McKinney enjoys spending time with friends, reading and playing guitar.
Wyatt Meyer is a Clarke Central High School senior and the Editor-in-Chief of the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through his work writing, editing, and designing for the program, Meyer hopes to further his abilities as a journalist and tell stories valuable to the community. Outside of school, Meyer enjoys writing, playing the piano, and playing soccer.
Mzée Pavlić is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Variety Staffer in the ODYSSEY Media Group. Pavlić is excited to learn about his new role as a Variety Staffer while also improving as a writer, storyteller and student journalist. Throughout the year, Pavlić hopes to bond with his new staff and the rest of the ODYSSEY.
Maya Pringle is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Journalism I student in the ODYSSEY Media Group. With this being Pringle’s first year at CCHS, she is excited to learn more about the ODYSSEY environment and grow as a student and person. In her free time she likes to play soccer, read, play board games with family, and travel.
David A. Ragsdale (UGA B.S.Ed. ’01, M.Ed. ’03, Ed.S. '09), CJE, has advised student publications since 2001 at Clarke Central H.S. in Athens, Ga., where his duties include advising the ODYSSEY Media Group and Iliad literary-art magazine. Additionally, he serves as Co-Department Chair of the English department at CCHS, coordinates student internships with the University of Georgia, serves as Gifted Coordinator and teaches English at the Title I school. He spends summers teaching at the Georgia Governor's Honors Program for the state's top gifted and talented students or on the faculty of journalism workshops across the Southeast.
Ragsdale received the Crystal Apple Award, an honor given to University of Georgia alumni in K-12 education who have made a significant impact on student, school or school district performance in 2007. Ragsdale was the GSPA Adviser of the Year in 2007 and 2020. He was named an ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Fellow in 2014, an Elizabeth Dickey Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association in 2015, named a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Distinguished Adviser in 2019 and the Journalism Teacher of the Year in 2022. Ragsdale and his staff have twice been recognized for their commitment to Diversity by the Journalism Education Association (2020-21 and 2021-22). He received the Leslie Dennis Heart for Diversity Award from SIPA in 2024 and he’s been commended by the JEA Board of Directors for his work for the organization.
He served on UGA’s College of Education’s Alumni Board and on the Georgia Scholastic Press Association Advisory Board for several years, and currently serves on the National Council of Teachers of English’s REALM committee, as the Journalism Education Association’s State Director for Georgia, and as the Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s Executive Chair. Ragsdale will facilitate the JEA Outreach Academy at fall conventions.
Ragsdale advocates a stance of student inquiry in his work and seeks to provide a safe place for students to not only succeed but also to fail. He seeks to empower students to recognize the implicit and explicit import of their words and to engage them in masterful storytelling. His students have received top honors in critiques and competitions across the country.
Sylvia Robinson is a junior here at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Viewpoints Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Robinson hopes to tell stories among the Athens community through her illustrations and her writing and pursue her journalistic skills. Robinson enjoys hanging out with friends and listening to music.
Lydia Rowell is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is the Menu Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Throughout the year, Rowell hopes to strengthen her reporting and writing skills while establishing meaningful connections in the Athens and CCHS community. In her free time, she loves cooking, reading and watching movies.
Jack Rumfelt is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, GA who is a Journalism I student for the ODYSSEY Media Group. With this being his first year at CCHS, he is excited to meet new people and play a wonderful role in the ODYSSEY.
Miriam Silk is a sophomore at Clarke Central High school and a photographer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Silk hopes to grow her photography skills and work on her communication skills, especially at conferences. In her spare time, Silk enjoys dancing and babysitting.
Kye Streetman is a sophomore and sports staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. This year, she hopes to tell the stories within her community and grow her writing and photography skills. Outside of school, Streetman enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies and playing sports.
Sara Stuart is a sophomore and Viewpoints Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. This year, she hopes to learn more about journalism and grow her confidence. In her free time, Stuart loves to read and spend time with her friends.
Liya Taylor is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and serves as the Sports Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through her work, Taylor hopes to connect with community members and colleagues, grow her journalistic skills and represent all cultures of Athens and CCHS. In her free time Taylor likes listening to music, playing volleyball and hanging out with friends.
Angel Tejada is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Journalism I Facilitator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. With this being his last year in the ODYSSEY, he wants to make the most of his final year and finish strong.
Iliana Tejada is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia who is the Photography Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Tejada wants to improve her leadership and continue growing in her photography skills in the OMG program. Tejada loves meeting new people and is excited to see what this year holds.
David Wang is a senior at Clarke Central High School and serves as a Sports Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. He hopes to develop a professional writing style, advocate for himself, build new connections and engage deeply with American culture through editing and getting attuned to sports dynamics. Outside of school, David enjoys cross-cultural experiences and expressing himself through writing, video scripting, and journaling.
Gillian Williams is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia who serves as the Outreach and Alumni Coordinator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Williams wants ODYSSEY to serve as a way for students to feel good about themselves and their writing and be encouraged to share their story. Williams hopes to get more people involved in journalism and give all students a voice in telling their story. In her free time she enjoys baking, watching sports and traveling.
Maypop Wren is a sophomore and a photographer for the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School. Wren hopes to convey stories throughout her community with her photos, and hopes to grow as a student and a member of the ODYSSEY Media Group.