Team Building
Far from just a newsroom, the ODYSSEY class is a community of like-minded and motivated teammates. To help create closer working relationships but also simply to make friends on staff, I've participated in numerous staff bonding activities.
Journalism Conferences
I've made some of my most lasting memories at statewide, regional, and national conferences alongside my fellow staff members. At these conferences, we do everything together, including eat with particular groups, attend sessions on certain aspects of journalism, and sleep with our with our roommates.
Cycle Celebrations
At the end of every production cycle, the ODYSSEY staff holds an in-class banquet with food that people bring in. The celebration is a break from the usual day-to-day working environment of the class and an opportunity to reconnect with the staff. Additionally, the Leadership Team compiles awards for these celebrations, with small rewards for those who win.
Game/Event Coverages
As a former Sports Editor, I've written a lot of game coverages, meaning it's no coincidence that many of my closest friends on staff have been photographers. These coverages are both fun and important, while the after-game work sessions and meals are always a great place to combine productivity with a feeling of accomplishment.
Valentine's Day Celebration
On Valentine's Day, the ODYSSEY staff takes a break from the classroom activities to simply celebrate one another. This celebration is often silly, but in reality, it's also a heartwarming reminder of that fact that most of us in the room are more than colleagues -- we're friends.
Creative Writing Project
The Creative Writing Project is a break from traditional journalism where we split from our respective staffs and work to make content for the iliad Literary Art Magazine, our sister publication. This is a great opportunity to work with those outside our usual sphere and get our brains out of a strictly journalistic mindset.
End-of-year Banquet
To commemorate the graduating seniors and celebrate the work the ODYSSEY staff has done throughout the year, the publication hosts a catered banquet. From the first one I attended as a freshman, I knew that this event was special, as some of the senior speeches made me tear up when talking about their time in the program. The formal attire and sentimentality of the occasion makes it one of the most heartwarming, if bittersweet, times of the year.