If You Really Knew Me Season 1 Episode 3

Ep 3. Riverside High School

  • August 3, 2010

If You Really Knew Me is a docuseries where high schools across the country are visited and explored through the lens of social and emotional interactions among students and staff. In season 1, episode 3 named "Riverside High School," we see how a group of teenagers from different backgrounds and experiences come together to break down barriers. The episode description begins with the group leaders describing the exercise that the students are about to participate in. They are split into small groups and asked a series of questions that make them vulnerable and challenge them to look beyond appearances.

The episode begins with introductions of the student leaders, including Tamyka and Dan, who are training to run the program at Riverside High School. They explain that the goal of the program is to help students form bonds across cliques and learn to empathize with one another through their unique stories. The scene then transitions to the school's auditorium, where the entire student body is gathered for the exercise. Students are paired with someone they might not usually hang out with and follow prompts to share their life experiences and struggles. We see groups of students discussing everything from family issues to struggles with mental health.

The exercise is facilitated by Tamyka and Dan, who offer a safe space for the students to share their thoughts and feelings. There are moments of tension, but the students push through and are able to connect with each other on a deeper level. We see one group of students bonded over their mutual love of art and another that found they had similar experiences with bullying. The episode showcases a transformation in the students' attitudes towards one another, as they realize that they are not so different after all.

Throughout the episode, we also see flashbacks of individual students and their backgrounds. We meet a student who has struggled with drug addiction and another who immigrated to the US from a war-torn country. These personal stories help to break down preconceived notions about other students and foster a sense of understanding and empathy among the group.

As the exercise comes to an end, students are given the opportunity to express how they feel about the experience. Many were surprised by how much they had in common with people they had previously viewed as "different." One student explains, "It's just being able to relate to someone else's struggle, and you're like, wait, you're just like me." Another adds, "It's not about the outside, it's about what's on the inside."

The episode closes with Tamyka and Dan reflecting on the success of the exercise and how it's the first step in breaking down barriers at the school. They hope that the connections made during the exercise will carry over into the students' daily lives and create a more accepting and empathetic community at Riverside High School.

Overall, "Riverside High School" is a powerful episode that showcases the impact that vulnerability and empathy can have on breaking down social barriers. It is heartwarming to see students come together and form connections through their unique backgrounds and experiences. The storytelling and editing are expertly done, providing a balanced look at the students' lives and struggles. The episode leaves viewers feeling hopeful that positive change is possible, even in the most divided of communities.

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Description
  • First Aired
    August 3, 2010
  • Language
    English