Service for Jeremy Wong

When Jeremy Wong, a 15-year-old gay student, is savagely beaten and killed by two fellow students, the whole school reels from the blows. Reporters from all over the country descend on the town. Deep divisions among the students emerge as the student council debates whether or not to hold a memorial service. The brutal murder forces each student to search his or her own conscience and beliefs. Some react with denial, some make excuses, some are outraged, and some are frightened. Others respond with courage and caring, while a few start to question and change their points of view and values. In a series of monologues, a cross section of the student body shares reactions to the tragedy, so much worse than bullying as to be called a hate crime. As the students struggle to come to terms with murder, prejudice, hatred and fear, a complex protrait emerges of a school and community. This powerful drama doesn't allow for easy answers: it challenges us to examine our own hearts and minds.