As the challenges of senior year loomed, many high school students found inspiration in the stories told on the big and small screens.
Whether it was the relatable struggles of their favorite characters or the triumphant moments that filled them with hope, these movies and TV shows became a source of comfort and motivation during a pivotal time in their lives.
“I recently rewatched a lot of the original Star Wars films. I’d say that one [helped me the most]. They are cool movies, I’m in a good mood when I watch them because they feel nostalgic.” – Natalia Pegg
“Ten Things I Hate About You [helped me get through senior year] because it’s my comfort movie and since it’s set in high school, it feels nice to watch it.” – Olivia O’prey
“I think [throughout] high school, I have to say A Silent Voice [helped me]. It’s an anime-style movie and it’s a really good story. It tells a really humanistic side.” – Zachary Lowers
“[She watched] A Series of Unfortunate Events. Honestly, [her main takeaway from the show] was to never trust that everything is going to go right because something will go wrong” – Zoe Brehm
“Adventure Time because I personally like kid shows. That show took up a good chunk of my life, and I like to have something playing in the background when I do work. It’s de-stressing because it’s not as stressful as watching a heavy show like The Handmaid’s Tale.” – Ailinani Hawkins
“I feel like Gilmore Girls [helped] because you go with her through graduation and it shows you her process of going through high school and college.” – Ashley Riesgo and Isabela Krol
“I watched a lot of New Girl. It’s super funny, so it’s nice [to watch] during stressful times and it helps you just chill out.” – Jana Agostinelli
From the heartwarming camaraderie of Gilmore Girls to the underdog victories in New Girl, seniors bonded over shared experiences that mirrored their own.
These cinematic tales not only provided a much-needed escape but also reinforced the idea that they were not alone in navigating the ups and downs of this transitional period.
