Reporting and Writing
From hard news to reviews to satire, I have been able to write a wide variety of stories throughout my experience in J1 and Production, while also forming relationships with stakeholders for these stories. I really value being able to connect with people and hear their stories. I have also written creative pieces for the Iliad Literary-Art magazine and essays pertaining to my editorial position.
JROTC Beat
Left: SALUTE: A sample of 300-word pieces on the Clarke Central High School JROTC program is linked. I wrote several stories for my JROTC beat and forged connections with the students and instructors, even capturing the moment when Sergeants Antione Clark and Donald Hollman received Quilts of Valor for their service. “These two men pour every ounce of their hearts and soul into making us better people,” Battalion Commander Karla Pastor said in the ceremony narration. “They model appropriate behavior for us every day. We want to thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor, in peace and war, to our country and your community.” Photos by Aza Khan and from the ODYSSEY archives
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Eye on the ball
Quilts from the heart
Ready for Raiders
A new chapter begins
Shaikun It Up
Right: GHPROUD: The piece “Making GHProgress” is an adapted version of my college essay about my experience at the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, and the first of my online columns. An ODYSSEY Media Group column includes blog and editorial-like pieces, and I plan to release one on our website alongside each issue of our Volume 21 newsmagazine. “While the English language has been a true love of mine for years, my high school English experience was often a one-note song,” Anna Shaikun wrote. “Everything changed when I attended GHP, a summer enrichment program at Georgia Southern University, as a Communicative Arts major.”
Moving others upward
Above: COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY: “Moving others upward” is a short profile on former Clarke Central High School College Adviser Tavaria Smith. This story required me to adapt in response to less-than-ideal conditions – Smith left her position before the story was finished, but I altered my story and published it. “Higher education once seemed daunting for Smith, a first-generation college student. However, she was able to gain confidence through assistance programs like Upward Bound and the CCHS Gifted Minorities Achieving program,” Anna Shaikun wrote. “Leadership skills, hard work and academic excellence got Smith accepted to the University of Georgia.” Photo by Natalie Schliekelman
Glory, glory to Ole Georgia
Right: BIG DAWG: "Glory, Glory to Ole Georgia” is a satire about rabid college football fans. I formatted this piece like a nature documentary, and was thrilled to channel creative energy into this piece. “Do not, under any circumstances, say, imply, or even think that the UGA football team will lose their game,” Anna Shaikun wrote. “Dawgs will take this as an insult or bad omen, and will immediately turn on you. Those unfamiliar with you may accuse you of being a rival sympathizer.” Illustration by Antonio Starks
What the Fanta?
The Gods We Can Touch
Movie of the Week
Reviews
Right: OK HUMAN: My review on Weezer’s album “OK Human” is my first published piece. After the piece recieved an "Excellent" rating at the Ball State University J-Day Contest, I developed a passion for reviews and wrote several of them. “This orchestral music isn’t what Weezer fans would expect from the rock band, which is known for its ‘crunchy’ electric guitar and heavy drums. Nonetheless, “OK Human” is charming in its own way,” Anna Shaikun wrote. The music makes this album feel more personal and immersive, in a way – more human.” Artwork and photos free use of Billboard, photo by Anna Shaikun
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Creative Writing Project
Right: PRESENTING POETRY: Digital Editor-in-Chief Anna Shaikun presents a piece at the ODYSSEY Media Group Creative Writing Project celebration. Over the course of my ODYSSEY career, I've participated in four Creative Writing Projects, where my journalism class created content like fictional prose, poetry, and scripts. “The wonder of an untouched sky / Unobscured by humanity / Took it for granted, in my vanity / That heaven reached a child’s eye,” Shaikun wrote. Photo by Aza Khan
iliad published works
Left: POETRY AND PROSE: Anna Shaikun’s free verse poem “Sirens” and haiku collection “All the Love in the World” are featured in two issues of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. In addition to my Creative Writing Project, I submitted two pieces that were accepted for the 2022 and 2023 editions of the iliad. “My heart shines outward / Each and every one of us /Creatures of the sun,” Shaikun wrote. Layouts by the iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board
Huu Kim Vo Interview
Left: IT'S HUU YOU KNOW: Shaikun interviews Clarke Central High School alumnus Huu Kim Vo. Huu was an immigrant from Vietnam whose English was very limited, and I utilized the services of a translator to glean his story. “Sometimes, (I) struggle to communicate with (my) friends or make them understand what (I’m) saying,” Huu said. “(I am) still trying to improve (my) language skills, but sometimes it's still hard to understand what others are saying because their vocabulary is on a higher level.” Transcription by Anna Shaikun
Chris Simpson interview
Left: BAND TOGETHER: Anna Shaikun interviews Clarke Central High School Director of Bands Chris Simpson about former Director of Bands Dr. Robert Lawrence, who had passed away. I wrote the story as an event preview of the concert, but the interview itself was deeply emotional, and Simpson complimented me on my questions. “As somebody who was very pro-kids, pro-band program, pro-anything that came across in terms of making his students in his program better, (Lawrence) was all for it,” Simpson said. “He (was) a rock in the middle of a river. He's not gonna move, you're gonna have to learn how to flow around him. And if you can assist with that imagery, then you're going to be good with Dr. Lawrence.” Transcription by Anna Shaikun