Event Coverage: National Scholastic Press Association
Above: CITY SIGHTS: iliad Literary-Art Magazine and ODYSSEY Media Group editors stand with two parent chaperones and their faculty adviser in front of Philadelphia City Hall on Nov. 8. Although iliad Business Manager Mattie Pittard had visited Philadelphia before, she enjoyed seeing the city through a new lens during the trip. “My favorite thing that we did outside of the conference was walking through the city and getting to see all the architecture and people and art and beautiful things,” Pittard said. “Not only did we get to talk to each other and laugh, but we also got to see everything that Philly had to offer.”
iliad Literary-Art Magazine and ODYSSEY Media Group Editorial Board members participated in the 2024 Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Nov 7-10.
From Nov. 7-10, a group of 13 ODYSSEY Media Group editors and six iliad Editorial Board members, traveled to Philadelphia to attend the Journalism Education Association /National Scholastic Press Association Fall 2024 National High School Journalism Convention.
David Ragsdale, OMG founder and adviser, serves as JEA Georgia State Director, and worked closely with NHSJC during the trip.
“(NHSJC) helps (my students) to see that what I'm doing with us at home has merit. I think because (my students) have grown up in a program that (does) good things intrinsically, it seems a lot of people think it just happens overnight or magically.” Ragsdale said. “When I'm working with other colleagues or delivering my own sessions or supporting our folks, (students are) genuinely interacting, genuinely engaging, asking questions (and) seeking feedback.”
The event began on Nov. 7 with pre-convention workshops. These workshops helped students grow in digital photography, editorial leadership and beginning reporting. iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot took digital photography, despite having limited experience in the field.
“I was honestly surprised I was put in there because I’ve never worked with a camera.” Hendershot said. “First, I learned about all the aspects of a camera, and then I got to go to the Reading Market and photograph people. I think (photography) may be a new hobby of mine.”
Following the pre-convention workshop, the formal convention kicked off with a keynote speaker, Matthew O. Henderson, on Thursday night, which was followed by two days of journalistic learning in which students could participate in sessions taught by journalism experts and hear from professionals in the journalism field.
For iliad’s Business Manager Mattie Pittard, a junior and first-time journalism conference attendee, the sessions provided useful insights into being a journalist.
“My favorite session that I attended was one about learning about how to advocate for yourself and advocate for who you are,” Pittard said. “It was amazing, and it was beautiful, and it was very constructive.”
After several rounds of sessions, NSPA held its annual awards ceremony on Nov. 9. to commend students for their hard work throughout the year. iliad staff members received several individual awards, as well as a fourth place Best in Show for their 2024 magazine “Prometheus”.
“I feel really proud about the awards (given) to (the) ODYSSEY and (the) iliad. I think it just shows the hard work that we do,” iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland said. “It's always really motivating to go on these trips and (then) come back to the school.”
Above: CAREER INSPIRATION: iliad Social Media Coordinator Onyx Mills, a senior, interviews iliad Writing Director Margo McDaniel, a junior, for a broadcast video about Fall National High School Journalism Convention On Nov. 6. NHSJC was Mills’ first time attending an out-of-state journalism conference. “I learned so much and met people from all over the country,” Mills said. “It was so amazing. I’ve never had any experience like it before, and it really cemented why (social media) is the career I want to get into.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Throughout the trip, the iliad editorial board explored various parts of the city, including the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps, and Philadelphia’s City Hall.
“I liked walking around the town, the City Hall, (and) the architecture is just fantastic,” Ragsdale said. “I feel like just us walking as a community in that town, trying to navigate a strange space is always fun and challenging.”
NHSJC is sponsored by NSPA and JEA, and it is the largest gathering of high school journalists and advisers in the nation. Over 3,500 convention attendees from all 50 states and eight countries traveled to Philadelphia for the Fall 2024 NHSJC event.
“My favorite part has been meeting so many different people from all around the country and even all around the world, because making connections like that doesn't come very often,” Pittard said. “Knowing that we can be connected across countries and across states, even though we have lived so many different lives, is really important and meaningful.”
Above: PHILADELPHIA FRIENDS: Members of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board pose with their “Best In Show” fourth place award at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel on Nov. 6. iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland, a senior, appreciated how the social aspects of the group at the conference differed from past years. “I bonded with a lot more people than last year. It was really fun to get to know some young people, and also just to bond with my other seniors.” Garland said. “I feel really proud of the awards that the iliad (received). I think it just shows the hard work that we do” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Story by Niles Flath
Niles Flath is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens Georgia. She serves as Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Flath hopes to make connections with creators both inside and outside the CCHS walls and showcase their work through the iliad program. In her free time, she likes playing tennis, swimming, and hanging out with friends.