Editor-In-Chief: Molly Harwell
Digital Editor-In-Chief: Anna Shaikun
Managing Editor: Maya Clement
Lead Copy Editor: Wyatt Meyer
Adviser: David Ragsdale
Staff Directory
Emuel Aldridge
Peter Atchley is a Clarke Central High School sophomore in Athens Georgia, and the Viewpoints 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. Atchley has attended at many journalism conferences, like the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, and the National Scholastic Press Association along with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association workshop. In his free time, Atchley enjoys painting, drawing, hanging out with his friends and watching scary movies.
Violet Cantarella is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a News Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. She is hoping to write content that entertains as well as informs. In her free time she enjoys welding, writing film scripts, and hanging out with her dad.
Maya Clement is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and Managing Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Throughout the year, Clement hopes to develop her editing, leadership and design skills. She is also passionate about helping staffers find their interests in the program and assisting them in their journalistic growth. In her free time, Clement enjoys horseback riding, trapeze, aerial silks and spending time with friends and family.
Evan Cornish is a sophmore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Sports Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. He wants to improve his skills in writing and make stories that’ll give a voice to the CCHS community. In his free time, Cornish likes to swim, play games, watch movies, tv shows, and play music.
Daniel Cruz is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Broadcast Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. As a newcomer, Cruz hopes to become a trusted member of the ODYSSEY team by working hard as a videography and writer. In his spare time, Cruz enjoys playing guitar and drums in his own band, as well as the flute and piccolo in the CCHS band.
Lea D’Angelo is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and new to the ODYSSEY Media Group.Through the program, she hopes to expand her writing skills and become more confident in her communication skills. In her free time, she likes to read and write reviews on books she enjoyed.
Jesse Dantzler is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Digital Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Dantzler seeks to become more well-rounded in all areas of life, including journalism, and push himself out of his comfort zone. In his free time, Dantzler likes to spend major portions of his day practicing martial arts and exploring music.
Isabelle Duncan is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and the Social Media Coordinator and a Journalism I Facilitator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Throughout the year, Duncan hopes to grow as a leader, an editor and J1 Facilitator as well as to share the unique stories of Athens’ community. In her free time, Duncan enjoys competitive dance, working out at the gym, going to concerts, and spending time with friends.
Samaya Ellis is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Viewpoints Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Ellis looks forward to the new opportunities this year brings as well as bonding with colleagues. She also enjoys reading and spending time with loved ones, including her two pets.
Victoria Garland is a junior at Clarke Central High School at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Garland hopes to gain the skills needed to tell meaningful stories for her community. In her free time, Garland enjoys both listening and playing music, along with hanging out with her friends.
Adah Hamman is a sophomore and a News Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. She wants to make a lasting impact on the OMG and is eager to perform well in her other academic endeavors. In her free time, Hamman enjoys swimming, baking, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Molly Harwell is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and the Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine. She hopes to learn about leadership and create strong connections with her peers. Molly also wants to create quality pieces that spark the interest of others within the Clarke Central community. In her spare time, Molly enjoys reading, dancing and spending time with friends.
Sam Harwell is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is a Visuals Staffer and the illustrator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Harwell is very excited to learn and grow, and plans to stay committed to ODYSSEY throughout his high school experience. During this experience, Harwell hopes to improve his skills as an artist and make new connections.
Ollie Hendershot is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. She serves as the Social Media Coordinator for the iliad literary-art magazine. Hendershot hopes to broaden her creative horizons through working with the iliad and contribute original ideas to the program. In her free time she likes listening to music, getting boba and watching movies.
Merren Hines is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a News Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. With this being her first time in a journalism group, Hines is hopeful to grow and challenge her learning abilities and tell the stories of her community. She is optimistic about meeting new people and leaders to gain skills, socially and academically. Hines’ hobbies are dancing and being with friends.
Abigail Holloway is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Variety 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.
Amya Hopkins is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Viewpoints staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Hopkins hopes to leave a positive impact on the ODYSSEY community as well as those who consume the magazine. In her free time, she enjoys reading a variety of books, indulging in various co-op games, and studying different cultures through media.
Angel Jara is a senior at Clarke Central High School and a News Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. He hopes to inspire and inform the publication’s readers with his writing and keep the ODYSSEY’s legacy strong. Jara is also passionate about music and creative writing.
Cooper Jones is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Sports Staffer with the ODYSSEY Media Group. This year, he hopes to continue learning as much as he can about being a journalist and to tell community stories as best as he can. Cooper plays soccer and flag football in his free time and loves to spend time with his friends.
Aza Khan is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, as well as the Photography Editor and a Journalism I Facilitator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Khan's passion for writing and photography drives her to tell the stories of people in her community and further improve her skills as a journalist. In her spare time, Khan enjoys exploring various cuisines, reading, and traveling.
Ireland McCage is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is currently the Digital Editor-in-Chief with the ODYSSEY Media Group. During her time in the ODYSSEY program, McCage has worked hard to both improve herself as a journalist and connect more with her community. Outside of the program, she enjoys reading and practicing her flute.
Wyatt Meyer is a Clarke Central High School junior and the Lead Copy Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through his work writing, editing, and designing for the program, Meyer hopes to further his abilities as a journalist. Outside of school, Meyer enjoys writing, playing the piano, and playing soccer.
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. His staffs have received top honors in critiques and competitions across the country. Additionally, he serves as Co-Chair of the English department at CCHS, coordinates student internships with the University of Georgia, serves as the Gifted Coordinator and teaches English at the Title I school.
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. 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 National Journalism Teacher of the Year in 2022. He served on UGA’s College of Education’s Alumni Board for several years, and currently serves on the National Council of Teachers of English’ REALM committee, as the Journalism Education Association’s State Director for Georgia, and as the Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s Vice Chair and on the Georgia Scholastic Press Association Advisory Board. Ragsdale was the GSPA Adviser of the Year in 2007 and 2020.
Ragsdale advocates a stance of student inquiry in his work and seeks to provide a safe place for students to not only succeed but to also fail. He seeks to empower students to recognize the implicit and explicit import of their words and to engage them in masterful storytelling. He spends summers either teaching at the Georgia Governor's Honors Program for the state's top gifted and talented students or at journalism workshops across the country.
Janie Ripps is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and Variety Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Ripps hopes to strengthen her writing and inform readers of the magazine about ongoing topics that play a big role in society. She has attended and presented at multiple journalism conferences including the Georgia Scholastic Press Association conference, the Southern Interscholastic Press Association conference, and the National Scholastic Press Association conference. Through journalism, she hopes to meet new people and form new bonds with fellow students. Some of her interests consist of swimming, hanging out with friends and traveling.
Cadence Schapker is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is the Sports Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Schapker hopes to further her journalistic skills by telling the stories of the Athens and CCHS communities. In her free time, she enjoys creating art and spending time with friends.
Anna Shaikun is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and the Digital Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through her work, Shaikun hopes to encourage a love of truth in her community as well as to equip a new generation of passionate and capable OMG staffers with the tools they need to succeed. In her spare time, Shaikun enjoys listening to music, practicing jujitsu, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Audrey St. Onge is a senior at Clarke Central High School and the Business Manager and a Journalism I Facilitator for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This is her fourth year doing ODYSSEY and she is excited to finish her time in the program strong. St. Onge hopes to meet new people, hear their stories, represent the CCHS and Athens community in a fair and balanced way, and create an environment where stories can be shared.
Liya Taylor is a freshman at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Sports Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. As a first-year staffer in the ODYSSEY program, Taylor is excited to expand her writing abilities, meet new people, take part in new experiences, and tell the stories of those who can't tell their own. In her free time, Taylor enjoys playing volleyball, listening to music and making art.
Angel Tejada is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Variety Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Tejada strives to become a better writer to create stories to give a voice to the people. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and listening to music
Ma'kiyah Thrasher
Ma’Kiyah Thrasher is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Viewpoints Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Thrasher has attended the Georgia Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Throughout the year, Thrasher hopes to advance her writing skills and begin her career in photography. Thrasher enjoys hanging out with friends and playing sports in her free time.
Isabella Westrich is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and a Journalism I Facilitator and News Editor for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Through her work, she hopes to grow her leadership skills, connect with community members and colleagues, and create content that represents the unique culture of Athens and CCHS. In her free time, she likes listening to music and spending time with friends.
Aliyah Wymbs is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and a Variety Staffer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This year in ODYSSEY, Wymbs hopes to provide new insight from multiple perspectives and encourage open-mindedness. In her free time, Wymbs enjoys creating screenplays and coding.