This past year, a group of hard-working students went unnoticed; however, they have recently been featured. Some of you may know them as “The Core;” but what is The Core? It is an organization called Open Orchard Productions that produces real stories from real people. “We find universal truths in the individual stories we share” says Ashley Overbeek. The story can be about a hardship or an accomplishment in that person’s life. After having listened to some of the podcasts myself, I would describe them as a form of therapy. It allows people to talk about something anonymously, as well as gives them the unique chance to help others in the same position and give advice.
The team includes PVHS Seniors Daniel Feldman, Rosie LaPuma, Ashley Overbeek, Connor Parker, Kimmy Rich, and Consultant Ms. Cindy Damon. Feldman is the “Producer of the Elements”. He designed The Core’s website and also interviewed many of the teens for the podcasts. LaPuma is the “Producer of the Core”. She designed the logo for both The Core and Open Orchard Productions, created posters for marketing, and also interviewed students for the podcasts. Overbeek is a “Founder” and “Executive Producer”. She is the main photographer and took many of the photos featured on The Core’s website. Parker is a “Founder” and also a “Producer of the Elements”. He conducted many of the interviews as well as produced the site’s promotional video. Rich is a “Founder” and “Producer of the Elements”. She does the student interviews for the podcasts as well. Lastly and most important: Ms. Damon. She enabled all of this to happen. With her background in film and advertising, she drives her team along to produce amazing podcasts.  She is so proud because this only started last year in March, and they had three podcasts up and the entire website done by August because her kids worked all summer. She believes that “they have taken this very seriously, done a lot of research, and their motto has always  been “‘We’re professionals who happen to be teens.’” They started doing podcasts because “everyone has a story,” and “there are so many things that people don’t tell you,” this is meant to be a “glimpse behind the façades that everyone puts up and makes even a stranger seem relatable” says Overbeek. 

All of these interviews for the final finished product of a podcast take place in Ms. Damon’s room with some pretty fancy equipment for recording the student’s personal stories. The group plans on launching two new sections over the next month (art and influencers) and taking on ten new people, with five of them being the main leaders for next year. Damon sees this continuing “indefinitely.” If anyone is interested in sharing a hardship, personal experience, or accomplishment stop by Ms. Damon’s room and talk to her! Or if you are interested in applying to be part of this amazing program you can apply for next year’s team.