Orion Orozco-Hershey is a reserved student, not one to talk about themselves. Yet when coach Ryan Ferguson, who leads our seniors’ Capstone group, was asked who to profile this year, Orion was one of the first names he gave—citing their growth with grace and quiet precision.

When seeing Orion’s work, it is obvious that their natural talent is art, and their illustrations are often some of a project’s most standout elements. But Orion is much more than an artist—and proof that success at NuVu doesn’t come from one kind of mind. Their creative thinking often elevates the work of their fellow students in a notable way—something they credit NuVu for helping to amplify.

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

When they started their two years at NuVu, Orion says their interest was piqued right from day one, because the culture seemed completely foreign—in a positive way. “I remember thinking that the students seemed to be having fun, which was interesting because public school wasn't like that. Everyone was really miserable there,” they recall.

Another element of NuVu culture that appealed to Orion was the open blend of student personalities and interests. The atmosphere was a welcome change from what Orion had experienced in the past, and one they credit with fostering their sense of curiosity in their learning.

AGENCY

At first, the intellectual freedom the design studios offered Orion was an uncomfortable place to exist. “I was excited, but at first it felt weird to have so much agency in a project because that was not something that I was used to,” they recall. “What I remember about those early first studios is that other students said that they thought my project was really cool, which I was happy to hear because I just didn't get the chance to do projects of my own like this in public school.”

One of Orion’s favorite projects to date was part of an early Open Innovation, called Fantastical Biology. This illustrated field journal of a fictional natural philosopher’s travels through a fantastical, creature-infested area was aimed at sparking interest in biology through whimsical and fantastical elements. For Orion, this was a bit of a turning point—for the first time, they were able to participate in a project where they could truly express their own interests.

“It was my idea and it was about things that I cared a lot about, which were biology and art and fantasy,” says Orion. “It was definitely the most passionate I've been about a project because it was just about things that I love very much. And then a lot of students also really liked it and really liked working on it. People who worked on the projects with me have said that that's also one of the best projects that they've worked on.”

TALK THE TALK

Besides elevating their skills in design, prototype drawings, and blueprint making, Orion says one of the most important educational advantages NuVu has given them has been in communication and collaboration skills.

“You often don't get to choose who you work with here and you have to learn how to work with a lot of different kinds of people, and I think that skill has transferred over in other parts of my life and it will continue to do so,” says Orion. They note this is an advantage they now recognize when working outside of the NuVu environment, realizing that many people lack this essential skill. “Also, public speaking and talking about your ideas are skills that are really well developed at NuVu because you have to give so many presentations and there's mid-review, final presentations, feedback, and more feedback.”

Having discovered that giving and receiving feedback is extremely important, Orion adds: “I continue to meet people that don't know how to give or take feedback, and I think most NuVu students grow very skilled at this important skill.”

THE CREATIVE ADVANTAGE

As their senior year begins to wind down, Orion reflects on the influence of their creative skills throughout their time here—not only in illustration and design, but at the root of how they think.

“For brainstorming, I learned that you want as many ideas as possible because if you throw out enough things, eventually something will be good. And I learned that it's an advantage if you already have a more creative mind—you can think through a lot of things that other people wouldn't think of.”

As Coach Ryan has already pointed out, it has been Orion’s natural creativity that helped them become successful in NuVu’s design studio world—quietly redefining what success here can look like.

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