Press Release: Georgia Scholastic Press Association
Above: TEAMWORK: Members of the 2023-24 iliad Editorial Board stand with their faculty adviser at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association on March 2. iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot, a senior, joined the program during her sophomore year. “(The iliad) has helped me grow as a collaborator because we are constantly working with everyone on the team,” Hendershot said. “The iliad is a group effort, and that’s shaped me as a person.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
The 2024 edition of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine was commemorated by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association on Nov. 15.
The Georgia Scholastic Press Association released its annual awards through a broadcast video on Nov. 15. The event was rewarding for members of the 2023-24 iliad Literary-Art Magazine at Clarke Central High School.
“Getting recognition for all the hard work we do is a big win, and it keeps up the momentum we try to keep throughout the year,” iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot said. “I’m really grateful to have been able to work on last year's magazine because I was able to help provide an outlet for CCHS students and get them recognized in GSPA.”
The 2024 iliad magazine “Prometheus” was recognized as GSPA’s Superior Magazine in the category of General Excellence for Literary Magazines. iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland, a senior, was honored to receive the recognition.
“I’m really proud of all the awards that the iliad got from GSPA,” Garland said. “Being recognized for our hard work feels very rewarding, and I hope we continue to put out our best work.”
Above: SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH: iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland speaks at the iliad Creative Celebration on Aug. 26. iliad adviser, David Ragsdale, has worked with Garland over the past three years to help her grow as a journalist and a leader. “I’d like to commend Victoria Garland for all of her work on social media,” Ragsdale said. “She really worked to elevate our game in that capacity (and) I think (that’s) fantastic.” Photo by Grady Dunston
In addition to the general magazine, the 2024 iliad program received three individual awards. The All-Georgia recognition (GSPA’s highest honor) was awarded to Daniel Cruz for his photograph “Belting in Bayou”, Olivia Hendershot for Social Media Storytelling, and Victoria Garland for Social Media Promotion.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the great work done by last year's staff under Olivia (Hendershot’s) leadership,” iliad adviser David Ragsdale said. “I can tell that the iliad has definitely impacted our team in positive ways, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
This was Hendershot’s second consecutive year of being awarded All Georgia for Social Media Storytelling.
“Since (last year) we’ve been focusing more on how we can get more student involvement via Instagram, so that's been a big motivation that's gotten us far,” Hendershot said. “All the credit for social media goes to Victoria Garland, the iliad’s current Managing Editor.”
These recognitions have helped inspire Hendershot as she looks to the future of the iliad program.
“(These) give me confidence in the iliad program to continue producing magazines for our students and community members,” Hendershot said. “I think this kind of recognition goes a long way, especially for a high school publication.”
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.