Claire Sorensen—Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Like many people, Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Mustangs are drawn to films they can relate to and see themselves in.
When a teen sees a character on screen who mirrors their own struggles and aspirations, it can be a profoundly validating experience. The impact of representation extends beyond just entertainment; it shapes the development and view of oneself.
A powerful statistic supporting the importance of representation in cinema to teenagers, found on Paramount Insights, is “59% of young people who feel poorly represented in media report that it makes them feel unimportant, ignored, or disappointed.”
This can be especially true for young people, according to the Women’s Media Center.
“Considering that the ages of 10-25 are critical for the brain’s development, what young people see on screen — notably how different people are represented — shapes how they view the world.”
The beauty of cinema is not just what you see on the big screen when the lights dim and the curtains open, but the lasting impact it has on your perception and how it makes you feel when it’s over.
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“When you grow up watching films, it’s always so reassuring to see characters you love change and grow with you along the way. Growing up watching Stranger Things, Nancy Wheeler made me feel seen because she was never just one thing… she was smart, emotional, and brave all at the same time. Although, she didn’t become confident overnight. She had to push through fear and that made her growth feel real and inspiring,” shared by the Stranger Things cast in a joint statement when they famously won the Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017.
Future generations are looking up to these characters who have been with us through every step of the way, and many would say gratefulness is an understatement to what these heroes have offered us as we all grow and change together.
A high number of sophomores and juniors were faced with the question, “Can you recall a specific movie or character that made you feel truly seen or understood,” almost all of them already had an answer in mind.
LRHS sophomore Claire Freund openly shared her view on the subject, “A character I strongly connect with is Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You. Her character shows that it’s okay to feel deeply while still staying true to yourself, which is why films continue to play such an important role in my life.”
“If somebody likes me, I want them to like the real me, not what they think I am,” said best by the character Sam (Emma Watson) from The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Actor David Harbor, who plays Chief Jim Hopper in Stranger Things said it best,” We are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting, and mysterious ride that is being alive…. And we will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy.”