HR2080: HR2080 ODYSSEY Media Group, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine, and David A. Ragsdale for over 23 years of journalistic excellence, student creativity, and outstanding service to the people of Athens, Georgia, and beyond; commend

26 LC 112 4189 House Resolution 2080 By: Representatives Park of the 107 th, Frye of the 122nd, Gisler of the 121 st, Gaines of the 120th, and Rhodes of the 124th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the ODYSSEY Media Group, the iliad Literary-Art1 Magazine, and David A. Ragsdale for over 23 years of journalist ic excellence, student2 creativity, and outstanding service to the people of Athens, Ge orgia, and beyond; and for3 other purposes.4 WHEREAS, the ODYSSEY Media Group was established in 2003 by David A. Ragsdale,5 whose commitment and dedication resulted in the creation of a student-run news organization6 that has enriched the lives of countless Athenians; and7 WHEREAS, the mission of the ODYSSEY Media Group is to inform, e ntertain, and give8 voice to the Clarke Central High School community through fair, accurate, and balanced9 news and commentary; and10 WHEREAS, the ODYSSEY Media Group's vision is to provide a platf orm for the Clarke11 Central High School and Athens-Clarke County communities to voi ce their concerns, to12 promote truth and transparency in times of unease, and to deter inaccuracy and the spread of13 misinformation; and14 H. R. 2080 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4189 WHEREAS, under the leadership of founder and faculty adviser Da vid A. Ragsdale,15 alongside countless editors, managers, staffers, and dedicated supporters, the ODYSSEY16 Media Group has grown to become an exemplary model of convergence media, consistently17 publishing high-quality content across various digital and print outlets such as their website,18 newsmagazine, and assorted social media accounts; and19 WHEREAS, since its inception in 2003, the ODYSSEY Media Group has won hundreds of20 awards for exceptional journalism, writing, photography, design, and presentation, including21 top honors from prestigious institutions such as the National Scholastic Press Association,22 Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Southern Interscholastic Press Association, and23 Georgia Scholastic Press Association; and24 WHEREAS, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine was re-established in 2001 by David A.25 Ragsdale after several years of dormancy following its initial founding in 1969, whose vision26 and determination revitalized an essential publication; and27 WHEREAS, the mission of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine is to serve as a conduit of28 expression for creativity and passion for the Clarke Central High School student body, iliad29 staff, and rising ninth graders; and30 WHEREAS, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine's vision is to be an inclusive platform for31 creative voices that represent the diversity of the Clarke Central High School student body32 while simultaneously providing a venue to develop student leaders and communicators; and33 WHEREAS, under the leadership of faculty adviser David A. Ragsdale, alongside numerous34 editorial boards and dedicated supporters, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine has grown to35 H. R. 2080 - 2 - 26 LC 112 4189 become a welcoming public forum dedicated to the promotion of creative art, writing, and36 photography; and37 WHEREAS, since its re-establishment in 2001, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine has won38 hundreds of awards for exceptional art, writing, photography, d esign, and presentation,39 including top honors from prestigious institutions such as the National Scholastic Press40 Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Southern In terscholastic Press41 Association, and Georgia Scholastic Press Association; and42 WHEREAS, it is both fitting and proper to honor the extraordinary achievements of both the43 ODYSSEY Media Group and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine as well as their founder and44 faculty adviser, David A. Ragsdale, for their support of student journalism and the creative45 arts.46 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that47 the members of this body recognize and commend the ODYSSEY Medi a Group, the iliad48 Literary-Art Magazine, and David A. Ragsdale for their decades of journalistic excellence,49 student creativity, and outstanding service to the people of Athens, Georgia, and beyond; for50 their steadfast commitment to truth, transparency, accountabili ty, and public dialogue; as51 well as for their unyielding belief in the power of media to po sitively transform lives and52 livelihoods.53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized54 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to David55 A. Ragsdale and to the editorial board, staff members, and volunteers of both the ODYSSEY56 Media Group and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine.57 H. R. 2080 - 3 -