THINK ABOUT IT!

High School is filled with different stresses. From homework to school dances, many things pop throughout the school year. But one thing that is not mentioned enough when it comes to high school is cliques.   I am sure you know them: the cheerleaders, the jocks, the nerds, the band kids, the drama kids etc… Students make assumptions of other people based on these cliques.  However, most of these assumptions are wrong. The fact is that almost all of  high school students are going through the exact same thing.   Most high school students have the same fears and drama. But very few students leave their comfort zone and share their experiences with one another.    As a result, high school students interact with their small group of friends and never really talk about what is on their minds. 

     I usually don’t pay attention to MTV ever since they stopped playing music videos, but recently they have been coming up with some good programs. (Minus the Jersey Shore, I am tired of Snooki and the Situation.) Shows about teen issues like “Teen Mom” and “The Buried Life” have become popular on MTV over the years. The newest program to hit the airways is “If You Really Knew Me”.  This show takes place in various high schools around the country to try to break down the social cliques.   First, the high schoolers participating in Challenge Day play group activity games designed to have everyone interact with each other.   After, the counselors break up the students into small groups and are invited to share problems in their lives that nobody knows about them. It is a powerful group session that allows students to see each other for who they really are instead of whatever clique they are apart of.  The most interesting aspect of this show is the line of equity.   Questions are asked by the counselors and students walk across the line if the question relates to their life. One example question is if students were raised by a single parent they should cross the line.   Students are able to see and relate to each other forming bonds they never would have in the past.

　High school students need to realize that they have more in common to eachother than they think. Every student has problems that they need to work out. But more importantly, students need to understand that they are not only one dealing with the problem. High school students need to get to know someone rather than labeling people based on their social group. Breaking down the clique barriers will lead to a more harmonious school.

Ruben Dominguez

PTW Los Angeles