Independent Lens Season 15 Episode 1 The Graduates - The Girls

The Graduates - The Girls, an episode of Independent Lens Season 15, follows the lives of three Latina high school seniors from different backgrounds in Los Angeles. Throughout the episode, we see the challenges each student faces, and how they navigate through them.

One of the students, Justine, dreams of becoming a doctor but must first overcome her family's financial struggles. Her mother works long hours, and Justine must take care of her younger siblings. She also needs to obtain a high enough score on her SATs to qualify for scholarships that can help fund her education. Throughout the episode, we see Justine working hard and studying tirelessly, always reminded that her future success is not just about her, but about her entire family.

The second student, Darlene, is an undocumented immigrant who struggles with the issue of legal status. She was brought to the United States by her parents when she was just two years old, and like many others in her situation, she has never had the chance to obtain legal status. Despite the constant fear of deportation, Darlene is determined to pursue her dreams of becoming an engineer. We see her working closely with an advisor who helps her through the college application process and finding the means to fund her education while navigating the complexities of her legal status in the United States.

The last student, Brittany, has struggled with family problems that have affected her studies. After her mother died of cancer, her father turned to drugs and alcoholism, leaving Brittany to take care of her younger siblings. In the midst of these challenges, she is determined to finish high school and go to college to become a teacher. We also see Brittany interviewing for internships and trying to find ways to make a difference in her community, despite her difficult circumstances at home.

Throughout the episode, we hear from the girls themselves and the people in their lives, such as counselors and teachers, who support them in their journey. We get an intimate look at their daily lives and the struggles they encounter in pursuit of their dreams. Through their stories, The Graduates - The Girls offers insight into the complexities of the educational system in America, which systematically disadvantages certain communities, while highlighting the resilience and determination of three young women who continue to push past the boundaries set in front of them.

Overall, The Graduates - The Girls is an inspiring and emotional episode that gives a voice to the struggles of young Latina women in America. It showcases how they face tough obstacles while striving for their goals despite the odds being stacked against them. Viewers of the episode will be moved by the stories of these young women while learning about the issues that students face within the American educational system.