Mr. Tushman
The final award this morning is the Henry Ward Beecher Medal to honor students who have been notable or exemplary. Usually, it's a "good works," a service award. But I came upon a passage that he wrote, which made me realize that good works come in many forms. "Greatness," he wrote, "lies not in being strong, but in the right using of strength. He or she is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own." Without further ado, this year, I am very proud to award the Henry Ward Beecher Medal to the student whose quiet strength has carried up the most hearts.
RA Richard Albans
[Mr. Lawrence Tushman, the head of Beecher Prep School, is meeting with Julian and his parents, and he shows that Julian wrote "Do everyone a favor and die!" to Auggie on the back of a recent class picture.]
You wrote that, Julian?
JA Julian Albans
Yes, sir.
Lawrence Tushman
That one note was on the back of a class photo. [turns the picture over to show the front] Your son photoshopped Auggie out of it. [the picture shows Auggie was indeed photoshopped out of it, replaced with the words "No freaks allowed!"]
MS Melissa "Sarah" Albans
No. [clears throat] No, he didn't. I did. Of course, I didn't think that he would bring it to school, but when our friends come over and they see that picture, I want them to ask about our son, not the Pullman's.
L Lawrence
Mrs. Albans, when we pressed Auggie, he showed us these other notes...that your son left in his locker, and, and his desk and...chair. [shows other hurtful notes and hurtful drawings of Auggie]
M Melissa
[defending Julian]
Okay, look. If no one else is gonna have the courage to say it, then I guess I will. These kids are too young to be dealing with this sort of thing. Julian has had nightmares because of that kid.
M Melissa
[to Lawrence Tushman]
Did you know that? We had to take him to a child psychologist to help him deal with his night terrors.
L Lawrence
[calmly]
It's just a two-day suspension. [to Julian] You'll stay home from the Nature Preserve trip. That's all.
M Melissa
[in disbelief]
Two days for a couple of notes from a kid? After all the money that we have poured into this school?
R Richard
[threateningly; thinking he and Melissa would win]
We have a lot of friends on the school board, Mr. Tushman.
L Lawrence
[unfazed]
Oh. [exhales; rightfully shoots down the empty threat] Well, I have more.
M Melissa
[rhetorically]
So, what would you have us do? Bend over backwards for every single person in the world? Nobody can get their feelings hurt, ever? [scoffs] You are not doing these kids any favors.
L Lawrence
[sighs]
Mrs. Albans, Auggie can't change the way he looks. So, maybe we can change the way we see. [looks pointedly at Julian, who feels like he's gonna cry]
M Melissa
[sarcastically]
Yes. I will be sure to tell that to the real world. Thank you for this. We won't be back in the fall.
J Julian
[shocked; pleading]
Mom, I like this school. M-Mom-- I have friends, Dad.
R Richard
Let's go, Julian.
J Julian
[Julian's parents walk out, Lawrence shakes his head in disgust; Julian reluctantly walks out, but he turns back in the doorway] [remorsefully]
Mr. Tushman? I'm really sorry.
L Lawrence
[knowing that Julian's apology is genuine; sympathetically]
I know you are, Julian.
