Q&A

Books for Keeps Executive Director Ruthi Hortsch discusses her involvement with nonprofits and the work BFK does to improve literacy among youth.

Sweet Olive Farm CEO Kat Howkins and co-chair Susan Pritchett discuss the beginning of their nonprofit animal farm and how it has grown over the years.

Athens Farmers Market Director Esther Kim and Manager Gunnar Tarsa discuss inclusive aspects and accessibility of the AFM.

Community Connector and Sales Associate Bobbi Jo Clarke discusses the impact sustainable clothing store Community has made on Athens through creating sustainable fashion and upcycling clothing in Athens.

Hendershot’s owner and founder Seth Hendershot discusses his business’s impact on the Athens community and his decision to sell it after 15 years.

Athens Youth Development Initiative Director Chris Hulse discusses the organization’s purpose and its goals moving forward.

CCHS senior Calum Cederbaum speaks about her experience sculpting and her fall internship at the University of Georgia.

Athens Community Council on Aging Vice President and Director of Operations Erin Beasley discusses the organization and her role within it.

Street Treats co-owners and founders Feneshea and Bryan Browner discuss the start of their family business and how it has grown over time.

CCHS fine arts department teacher Heather Garland shares the rationale behind hands-on learning within her classroom.

CCHS Student Government Association Senior Class President Laila Bolton discusses the events and goals of the program.

K.A. Artist Shop owner Kristen McCarthy shares her experience founding and owning a creative business in Downtown Athens for over 10 years.

Athens Community Career Academy Director Reginald Thomas discusses the ACCA’s mission and what it offers to students.

Athens Area Homeless Shelter Executive Director Olivia Amato discusses her involvement with AAHS and how the organization aids in sheltering the Athens community.

Khary Payton, actor and Clarke Central High School Class of 1990 alumnus, stands in…

Patricia Richards, the Director of the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies at UGA, discusses her career as well as the importance of Women’s History Month.

Sheila Neely-Norman, a retired educator, shares her experience being active in Athens from teaching to being involved with the University of Georgia.

Alumni Cookie Dough owner Jennifer Dollander discusses her experience of going from a teacher to business owner.

Indie South founder, organizer and tarot reader Serra Jaggar discusses her experiences and perspective on the art of tarot.

Joy Village School founder Lora Smothers discusses her experiences throughout her journey to create a school that focuses on the joy and thriving of Black youth.

Jaclyn Brown, CCHS’ Black History Month Program Coordinator, shares her insight on this year’s program which will happen on Feb. 19.

Lyndon House Arts Center Art Education Program Specialist William Stephanos speaks on his journey in the art world and his advice for aspiring artists

The Western Judicial Circuit, which comprises all of Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties, will elect a district attorney on Nov. 5 — Election Day.

Wild Rumpus Founder, Director and Master of Ceremonies Timi Conley discusses how the Wild Rumpus parade was created and how it has continued to grow.

Chrysia Lane, JnaNailz owner and CCHS class of 2024 alumna, talks about her experience as a nail tech.

Clarke Central High School’s new College and Career Adviser Alejo Zayas talks about his new job and their goals for the 2024-25 school year.

Local Athens chef Peter Dale discusses his passion for food and his plans for the future of restaurant Five and Ten as the new owner.

Assistant Principal and Administrator for Freshmen Terry Liggin describes his own high school experience and his hopes for the future of the Freshman Academy.

Sports Staffer Liya Taylor talked with Classic City Roller Girl, Angie “Violet Conduct” Cleland about the sport of roller derby and its impact on her.

Mike Bradshaw, owner of The Grill, reflects on how The Grill has lasted so long in the Athens Community.

CCHS fine arts department teacher Shelynn Scott plans to build the Chorus, Piano and Guitar program for students.

Science Instructional Coach Dr. Katie Green speaks on her experience with archaeology, her time at CCHS and the future of science education.

CCSD Board of Education President LaKeisha Gantt speaks on her time on the Board of Education, what has been accomplished, and goals for the future.

Former CCSD Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas, who retired on Oct. 8, reflects on her time as an educator and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz speaks about the local Juneteenth celebration being planned for this national holiday and the impact it will have on Athens.

CCHS junior Aiyanna Bhuiyan discusses her connection to her art and family with Variety staffer Anna Tenner.

Photographer and Journalism I Facilitator Lucas Donnelly talks with Athens Juvenile Public Defender Latasha Prempeh about student rights, the criminal justice system and the school-to-prison pipeline.

Variety staffer Isabella Westrich talks with award-winning cartoonist and illustrator Eleanor Davis, an Athens native who currently lives in Arizona, to discuss her accomplishments, inspiration and the meaning of her art.

Social Media Coordinator Janie Ripps talks with District Attorney for Georgia’s Western Judicial Circuit Deborah Gonzalez about being a woman in politics.

Media Specialist Angie Pendley talks to ODYSSEY Media Group Variety staffer Audrey St. Onge about Pendley’s January 2022 book recommendations.

Digital Managing Editor Natalie Schliekelman talks with English department teacher Grace Crumpton about her new Contemporary Literature class, which will focus on modern poetry.

With a voting date of Nov. 2, E-SPLOST 6 will be designated toward improving the educational spaces of the CCSD, including rebuilding Clarke Middle School.

Viewpoints Staffer Daniel García-Pozo talks with Amber Wallin, a 2009 CCHS alumna, a former ODYSSEY staffer and a social media personality today, about what led her to become a comedian.

Sports staffer Lukas Cornish talks with Clarke Central High School freshman Bo Brodrick about his experience with reviewing various energy drinks

Viewpoints Staffer Daniel García-Pozo talks with local social media influencer Lindy Simmons about her experience with her Instagram account and within the Athens community.

CCHS students returned for face-to-face classes on March 15 for the first time since March 4, 2020. ODYSSEY Media Group Staffers sat down with CCHS Principal Dr. Swade Huff to discuss how the first week back went.

On Feb. 11, ODYSSEY Media Group alumnus Andre Robinson, Clarke Central Class of 2012, and current Los Angeles Clippers Video Producer spoke with members of the program on his journey to the big leagues.

Viewpoints Editor Maya Cornish talks with Clarke Central High School counselor Darline Coleman about her experience as a counselor and how the CCHS counseling department has adapted to the new needs of students due to COVID-19.

In preparation for the Classic City Championship game on Sept. 8, Odyssey Media Group Staffers sat down for Q&As with Cedar Shoals High School head football coach LeRoy Ryals and Clarke Central High School head football coach David Perno.

“Teenage Bounty Hunters” actor Devon Hales discusses playing April Stevens as an Atlanta actor, why the show is valuable to her and her own journey as an actor.

Clarke County School District Chief Administrative Officer Brannon Gaskins gives insight into the school district’s current reopening plan in the midst of COVID-19.

Former Clarke Central High School assistant varsity girls basketball coach Stefan Smith directs players…

Clarke Central High School fine arts department chair and chorus teacher Dr. Anthony Rucker reflects on his 33 years of teaching as he prepares for retirement.

Clarke Central High School English Department teacher Lindsay Coleman-Taylor shares her experience as a woman, personal stories and advice she has for girls at CCHS.

St. Mary’s Health Care System Master of Science in Nursing and resident nurse Alex Evans talks about being a nurse and how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected his work.

Clarke Central High School nurse Iveta Rabb discusses how students and their families can deal with different situations that may arise with their health while out of school due to COVID-19.

ODYSSEY Media Group Digital Editor Owen Donnelly talks to Clarke County School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas about the COVID-19 outbreak and its implications for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

Stand-up comic and Cartoon Network associate writer and producer Cherith Fuller discusses her journey of becoming a comedian and the challenges she has faced.

Video and music producer Nicholas Byrne, a 2015 Clarke Central High School graduate, discusses his process of producing and creating his own electronic music.

Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means speaks with the
ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief about his past two years in the CCSD.

Clarke Central High School Women and Gender Studies club president Erin Bothe talks about her club’s values, goals and plans for the club in the 2019-20 school year.

New foreign language department teacher Christian Cordón reflects on his background and shares his experience with teaching at Clarke Central High School thus far.

Career Technical and Agricultural Education department teacher Jillian Bryant got married during winter break and looks back on her wedding.

Counseling secretary Helina Jorge, who has held the position since January of the 2018-19 school year, shares how she feels about her transition to Clarke Central High School.

Clarke Clarke High School 2012 graduate Andre Robinson talks about his journey to working for the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team and being named a member of Front Office sports Rising 25.

Clarke Central High School counselor Akua Nelson was hired as a member of the CCHS counseling team this semester.

Clarke Central High School variety staffer Tecoya Richardson talks with retired Athens Housing Authority Board of Directors Chairman Charlie Maddox as he shares his insight on Black History Month.

Clarke Central High School first-year English department teacher Grace Brownlee was one of the first in her family to experience college outside of Athens. Following her years at Kennesaw State University, Brownlee returned with hopes of implementing her newly developed skills and perspectives.

Clarke Central High School assistant swim coach Sean Gillan was aiming for the 1984 Olympics as a swimmer but had surgery for a nerve ablation in his left shoulder, which prevented him from competing.

With their second competition of the year on Feb. 23, Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Kalli James-Wyrick is excited for her second year as a teacher-coach on the CCHS Mock Trial team.

After student teaching for one semester at Clarke Central High School, Emily Costley is a first-year social studies department teacher at CCHS.

Clarke Central High School fine arts department teacher Christopher Simpson discusses the challenges he has faced this year as a new teacher, while serving as the CCHS assistant band director.

Clarke Central High School senior Neha Mohanty talks about her experiences in the University of Georgia Young Dawgs Internship programs, a partnership with CCHS through the Academic Internship.

Clarke Central High School’s new foreign language department teacher, Erica Cascio, speaks on her time at CCHS and how her life experiences have contributed to her variety of positions.