P2P: Passion to Proficiency Works
For well over a decade, I have worked with hundreds of teenagers as they navigate their high school years. Some move forward with clear purpose, while others continue searching for who they are and what they want to become. Through my P2P: Passion to Proficiency Program, I have helped teens make the most of their high school years—enriching their lives and preparing them for their college journey.
My very first P2P success story was personal—my own niece, a high school freshman with a deep love for photography and a dream of traveling the world to capture images. My response? “Great! But do you really know what you're doing with that camera?” From there, we created a structured plan—one that would later become the foundation of P2P.
We mapped out her high school summers with purpose:
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Post-9th grade – A specialized program focused on in-depth skill-building: mastering the camera, editing, storytelling, and portfolio development.
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Post-10th grade – Traveling with her camera under the guidance of experienced photographers and journalists.
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Post-11th grade – Expanding into videography and journaling, again working under expert mentorship.
Lauren’s talent and dedication were always her own, but her P2P plan amplified her skills, confidence, and direction. She graduated with distinction from Duke University in Visual Media Studies, receiving a grant to produce a documentary on the migration of a mother and daughter from Peru to the U.S. From there, she worked with Red Hook in Brooklyn, creating another documentary while teaching local children how to use photography to tell their own stories. Today, she is an Lecturer and Doc+ Director at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.
Inspired by Lauren’s journey, I have since implemented the P2P framework for teens with passions ranging from writing to medicine, engineering to sports, entrepreneurship to environmental sustainability, government and politics to musical theater.
While P2P doesn’t promise awards or college acceptance letters, it does ensure a richer, more meaningful high school experience—one that fosters dedication, growth, and a compelling personal story. And as a bonus? That journey often becomes a powerful asset for college applications.
If you’re interested in exploring P2P options for your teen, let’s talk.