banquet agenda

SLIDESHOW

WORD OF INTRODUCTION & WELCOME

END-OF-YEAR FILM PRESENTATION

SENIOR FAREWELL SPEECHES

ANNA TENNER, EMILY COUCH, EVA ORBOCK

LUNCH

SENIOR FAREWELL SPEECHES

CHLOE SEARS, GRETCHEN HINGER, ISAAC RAMIREZ, NATALIE SCHLIEKELMAN

SENIOR FAREWELL SPEECHES

LUNA REICHERT, IRELAND McCAGE, AUDREY ENGHAUSER iliad & ODYSSEY AWARDS

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Welcome, one and all, to the 19th annual Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Media Group Banquet. I’m pleased to have you with us this afternoon as we recognize our seniors, celebrate staff and individual accomplishments, and get together one last time before graduation.

Having only met together in person last year for the last quarter of the school year, I was genuinely curious to see how this group would coalesce. Only our handful of veteran seniors had previously been through an entire year of the traditional ODYSSEY/iliad experience. While that could have been a drawback, this year’s group saw an opportunity to rebrand and regrow our program. Our staff leaders worked diligently last summer (both remotely and in-person) to retool our Staff Manuals, enter contests, and plan our summer workshop -- all with the vision of providing our staff and community with the best publications possible.

I’m pleased to say we were able to produce the iliad before graduation, that the ODYSSEY, both online and in print, has continued to engage our readers in stories of merit, and that new leaders, writers, and content creators have emerged. We were able to attend and present at three conferences this year, and our Journalism I students have blossomed under the nurturing leadership of their team of dedicated Facilitators.

As I reflect on the year, I would like to take a moment to recognize our Booster Club Executive Committee: Heather Alley, Rebecca Gose, Mindy McCage, Vicki Michaelis, Elise Robinson, Jenn Shaikun, Paul Schliekelman, and Alys Willman for all their efforts on behalf of our students’ work. Additionally, a huge thanks to Eva Orbock for the design and compilation of tonight’s program, Luna Reichert for our film, and Janie Ripps for compiling the slideshow. A final personal thanks goes out to Kate Kohler for her ongoing encouragement, patience, support, and belief.

Additionally, many thanks to all the families who’ve helped to pitch in with meals, chaperoning, and for supporting your kid’s journalistic endeavors. Likewise, we are grateful to our school and district administration for their support. Thezir help, along with the commitment of our Board of Education, allows us to cover our community and represent our school in the larger community of high school journalism. Next, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the many patrons of our literary-art magazine who contribute each year to ensure funding for the magazine. I’d like to call special attention to the Campbell Family for their years of support and for sponsoring the Lorien Awards to recognize our creatives at CCHS.

As I come to the close of my note, we must say farewell to our upcoming graduates. We’ll have 10 students graduating this year. The resilience these seniors have shown gives me immense hope for thier future. I’ve communicated that hope numerous times this year -- to be caring, respectful leaders whom peers and community members can rely on. Irrespective of their length of tenure on staff, I feel confident they will be prepared for any challenges that come their way in the future.

I’d also like to recognize the hard work of the students this year in the Journalism classes and on the iliad staff. Truly, without them, we would not be here to celebrate. Once again, welcome and join me in congratulating the students this afternoon!

David A. Ragsdale, Adviser ODYSSEY Media Group