Local couple seeks to create positive influence for youth with Pillar Interviews

POMEROY – Brandon and Rana Bartee are doing something no one would not expect photographers to do. They are interviewing people and recording the audio of the interview.

Audio interview links with a couple of people in the area have been made by the Bartees and shared to Facebook. The shares and numbers of people listening to the interviews have been incredible. They received a far greater response than the Bartees expected from the initial interview. Many have had questions as to the reason behind the interviews leaving many to ask, “What are the Pillar Interviews?”

Brandon Bartee told the Meigs Independent Press he wanted to talk with people who have been successful. He added that the definition of success is not the same for everyone. The purpose behind the interviews is building toward the ultimate goal of collecting letters from those selected as “pillars” to basically write a letter to their younger self at age 17. The letters will be collected and published in a book which will be distributed to every graduating senior in the county.

It’s a loft goal, but the Bartees are no strangers to making something that seems impossible, possible. The couple built a business on their unique photography style and built a brand that has become one of the most popular photography businesses in the area.

The couple works with youth, particularly seniors as they do senior portraits and school photography. The Bartees noticed a need for encouragement among youth. They also are very proud of the county and area. They wanted to show students that people are successful from Meigs County. Initially, the project has been with people from Meigs County, however, they envision it eventually encompassing the Mid-Ohio Valley.

“We are loosing our best and brightest to Columbus,” Brandon Bartee said. He noted that many of the county’s youth move away following graduation to areas like Columbus. Some of the them eventually come back to the area, but many do not. He said the Pillar Interviews are about empowering teenagers and passing on “grandfatherly wisdom” noting a couple of the individuals they wanted to interview that have been long standing pillars in the community have passed away. The Bartees decided it was time to launch the project and get the ball rolling, even if the deadline for this year might be tight. They did not want anymore “pillars” to slip away without having the opportunity to pass on the wisdom and encouragement to another generation.

Their goal is to have, “No one in Meigs County graduate high school without getting a letter from every leader in our community,” Brandon Bartee added.

He also stressed they are not creating an organization. They are not taking donations. The selection process for people to interview is also being kept quiet by the Bartees and they want people to just “listen, and chill.”

“We don’t have anything to accomplish or prove, we just want to capture the local wisdom,” Brandon Bartee said.

Rana Bartee said the project also is not journalistic. View points will differ as they have various people share their wisdom. She said they gain something from doing the interviews. Both of them said the evenings they have spent doing the audio interviews have been some of the most enjoyable evenings in their lives.

For the Bartees, it isn’t about promoting themselves or pushing an agenda other than hoping this wisdom might help graduating seniors have a positive view of the county they came from and a positive influence in their lives.

As of publication, the Bartees have interviewed Paul Reed, Randy Smith and Paige Cleek as they work toward their goal of a book for each person of the Class of 2017 in the county and to make their community a bit better by sharing something positive.