At a time when many students are still trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life, Kenton Simpson decided to ask a question that many adults still struggle to answer: “What are you passionate about?”
That question became the foundation of Kenton’s documentary-style video, Finding Your Passion, a thoughtful and emotional project that explores dreams, careers, identity, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Over the course of several weeks, Kenton dedicated countless hours after school planning interviews, organizing ideas, editing footage, and carefully shaping the documentary into a meaningful conversation about life and purpose.
Rather than creating a simple interview project, Kenton crafted a documentary that challenges viewers to think deeply about their future and what truly makes them happy. The film features honest conversations with students and adults discussing how passions evolve over time, the fear of not knowing what to do after high school, and the reality that finding your path is rarely simple.
One of the most powerful aspects of the documentary is how personal it feels. Kenton allowed the interviews to breathe naturally while using editing, pacing, and thoughtful storytelling to connect each idea together. The project focused less on giving viewers answers and more on encouraging them to reflect on themselves and their own journey.
Throughout the documentary, speakers discuss the importance of trying new things, taking risks, and understanding that success is different for everyone. The message resonates strongly with high school students who often feel pressure to have their entire future figured out before graduation.
Kenton’s dedication to the project could be seen in every detail. He spent multiple days after school refining edits, balancing audio, organizing interviews, and making sure the final product carried the emotional impact he envisioned. The result was a documentary that not only showcased strong filmmaking skills, but also genuine maturity and creativity as a storyteller.
The film closes with a quote from Kenton himself that perfectly captures the heart of the project:
“Passion is the ultimate form of self-expression. To find what it is you’re passionate about you must find out who you are first. Stay true, stay you, and be original.”
With Finding Your Passion, Kenton Simpson created more than just a class assignment. He created a documentary that encourages people to think differently about success, dreams, and discovering who they truly are.
