Above: OUT LOUD: ODYSSEY Media Group Variety Staffer Mzée Pavlić, a junior, sits in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Pavlić presented his rhyming quatrains,“Twinight Hour” to students in the Production class as a part of his Creative Writing Project submission to the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. “In this year's Creative Writing Project I wanted my poems, prose, and monologue to tell a cohesive story throughout. My theme this year was ‘Indolence,’ so I told a story about someone dealing with their indolence that took place over the course of a night. I think the story turned out well, even if it had some problems,” Pavlić said. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: HANDMADE GIFTS: ODYSSEY Media Group Senior Copy Editor Cooper Jones holds up a gift made for him by his Secret Holiday Gift Giver, ODYSSEY News Staffer Lucca Fleenor, a sophomore, in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Fleenor crafted the clay gift by hand, which featured the caterpillar from “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. “When I first thought of a gift for Cooper, I knew I wanted to make it myself and make something that he could keep after he graduated,” Fleenor said. “I know he’s an artistic person, so I combined a few forms of art like painting, pottery, felt and collage, but I mostly focused on making bright and colorful designs because I’ve always been inspired by his personality.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: A LEADING VOICE: iliad Literary-Art Magazine Managing Editor Finley Sleppy reads aloud a sonnet she wrote as a part of her Creative Writing Project titled “Goodwill scalding” in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Sleppy participated in the CWP by writing her own project, as well as editing the projects of Production and Journalism I students. “The editing process was sometimes tedious. There were a lot of requirements that I had to be aware of to make sure everyone got the feedback that they needed,” Sleppy said. “But at the same time, it was super cool getting to know more about each person and understand them more as creatives and peers.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: A FRESH VOICE: Freshman and Journalism I student Amelia Aldridge sits in Room 231 on Jan. 22. Aldridge submitted her Creative Writing Project, “Insecurities,” as her first CWP. “Overall, I would say I had a very successful time working on the CWP. I was able to express emotions and let go of how I was really feeling.” Aldridge said. “I had so much fun writing each piece and coming up with a theme. I can't wait to see what I do next year.” Photo by Grady Dunston
Above: COMMUNITY: Junior and ODYSSEY Media Group Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham sits among Production class students in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Before the Creative Writing Project readings and Secret Holiday Gift Giver Exchange began, students had the opportunity to eat a community meal and talk with their peers. “I really enjoy the Creative Writing Project every year because it allows for the entire class to take a step back from hard journalism and instead work on creative writing,” Gresham said. “After we complete our projects, we get to celebrate, which brings a great sense of community. I always love getting to hear everyone's pieces and swapping gifts as a fun way to bring us together. ” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: SHOWING UP: ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine David Ragsdale (left) stands with David Wang (right) in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Ragsdale presented Wang OMG and Southern Interscholastic Press Association merchandise. “(David) is new to OMG and opted out, but we leave no soldiers behind, so we curated a gift bag for him to celebrate his creative writing and team membership,” Ragsdale said. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: TIS THE SEASON: ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Peter Atchley, a senior, opens a gift from his Secret Holiday Gift Giver, Lea D’Angelo in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Atchley has participated in the Creative Writing Project for all four years of high school, and was chosen as ODYSSEY News Editor Emlyn McKinney’s Secret Holiday Gift Giver. “I really enjoyed this year’s Creative Writing Project Celebration. Peter made me a (very) thoughtful gift, it was a necklace and matching earrings, and I’ve really enjoyed wearing them,” McKinney said. “It’s going to be hard to see him go at the end of this year, but I hope he has a great time after high school.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: MENTORING STUDENT: Journalism I Facilitator Grady Dunston, a junior, reads his free-verse poem, “Theseus’ Ship,” from his Creative Writing Project submission in Room 231 on Jan. 22. Dunston, while making his own CWP, helped Journalism I students with their own projects. “I thought the Creative Writing Project was a great break from journalistic writing and learning,” Dunston said. “As a Journalism I facilitator, I enjoyed seeing the younger people in my group explore the work that they flourish in. It was also a great opportunity to learn about my classmates, and I look forward to next year's.” Photo by Valeria Blanco
Above: Junior and ODYSSEY Media Group Photography Editor Iliana Tejada poses with Junior and ODYSSEY Digital Editor-in-Chief Lea D’Angelo in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. Tejada was D’Angelo’s Secret Holiday Gift Giver, and gave D’Angelo a personal gift. “Using (Elfster), it wasn't too hard (to choose her gift). I just looked through her list, but she only had one or two things on there, which were pens or Needohs.” Tejada said. “And every day coming into class, she always had Celsius her energy drink on deck. And I (thought), ‘You know what? I'm gonna add that.’” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Above: COMFORT AND COMPASSION: ODYSSEY Media Group Outreach and Alumni Coordinator Gillian Williams, a senior, opens a gift during the Secret Holiday Gift Giver Exchange in Room 231 on Dec. 16, 2025. iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel, a senior, was Williams’ Secret Holiday Gift Giver. “(To me), the Secret Holiday Gift Giver Exchange means a time to give somebody a (holiday) gift that might not receive them, especially during the holiday season, because I know it can be hard for others,” Williams said. “It's (also) a fun way to celebrate the end of the semester kind of going into the new year, new things (and) new positions.”Photo by Iliana Tejada