PV High has a unique program called Open Orchard Productions, or OOP. Through podcasting, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in another form of broadcast journalism.
“Students are able to research and explore new topics to create podcasts on. Students can develop time management, creativity, writing, interviewing, and multimedia editing skills,” said senior Kate Fukushima, Executive Producer of the class.
Fukushima has been a part of OOP all four years of her high school career, and has gained many valuable experiences from it.
“My favorite part about podcasting is that I am able to use it as a platform to share a diverse range of stories and topics with different audiences,” Fukushima said.
Some students even have the opportunity to take their podcasting out of the classroom.
“With the help and support of Mrs. Lyons, our wonderful OOP teacher, I entered the NPR Student Podcast Challenge last year, and was lucky enough to place as 2023 NPR Student Podcast Challenge finalist,” said junior Sia Presser, website manager and advertiser for OOP.
“Sia is not only a podcaster for us, but her work has been recognized nationally,” Kristin Lyons, the teacher for OOP, said.
“The world of podcasting is popular right now because people can listen to someone’s artistic work on their own time. You can multitask with a podcast. I can listen while I’m driving and cooking, which is something you can’t do as easily with video,” said Lyons.
“The students who are in Open Orchard Productions really want to tell stories and create something to share with the world…if that’s someone’s passion, come to room 510.”