The School Bully vs. The A-Student | Short Film "Paulie"

Summary

Polly, a nine-year-old seventh grader, navigates academic and social challenges at school. She faces bullying from Tony, who forces her to eat dirt, but she stands her ground. Polly is determined to advance to eighth grade and dreams of attending Stanford. Despite accusations of cheating and plagiarism against Tony, Polly's persistence and intelligence shine through. The story highlights the pressures of academic success, the value of integrity, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Ultimately, Polly's journey is one of self-discovery and determination.

Takeaways

• 😄 Polly is a smart and determined nine-year-old who is petitioning to skip ahead to the eighth grade.
• 😅 Tony, another student, bullies Polly and threatens to punch her, showing a conflict between the two.
• 🏫 Polly aspires to go to Stanford, highlighting her academic ambition.
• 🎓 Tony wins a school essay contest, but Polly accuses him of cheating, believing he plagiarized the essay.
• 📚 Polly gathers evidence by trying to determine if a library book related to Tony’s essay is missing, suspecting dishonesty.
• 🤔 The vice principal dismisses Polly’s accusation, assuming Tony wrote the essay himself.
• 🍰 At Tony’s home, Polly confronts him, and Tony admits he didn’t want to write the essay but cheated due to pressure.
• 🎉 Polly and Tony reach a resolution, with Tony apologizing, and they share a cake together with his family.
• 🏆 Another student, TJ Merriweather Colby, is announced as the new top scorer and captain of the Math Olympics.
• 👦 Polly, despite her young age, interacts with older students and navigates complex social dynamics at school.

Q & A

Who is Polly, and what is her current academic situation?

Polly is a nine-year-old student in the seventh grade. She is currently petitioning to skip ahead to the eighth grade.

Why does Polly want to skip a grade?

Polly wants to skip a grade because the faster she advances, the sooner she can leave and pursue her goal of attending Stanford.

What accusation does Polly make against Tony?

Polly accuses Tony of plagiarizing the essay he submitted for the Stanford Fellows Essay Contest.

How does Vice Principal Burger respond to Polly's accusation?

Vice Principal Burger dismisses Polly's accusation, suggesting that Polly should accept that other students, like Tony, are also capable of academic success. He tells Polly she owes Tony an apology.

What evidence does Polly try to use to prove Tony plagiarized the essay?

Polly suggests checking the library's records to see what books Tony has checked out. She believes the missing book will reveal that Tony copied his essay.

What interaction occurs between Polly and Tony regarding the essay contest?

Polly confronts Tony, asking him if he cheated on the essay. Tony initially denies it but later admits that he didn't want to write the essay and that their teacher, Ms. Gilbert, made them do it.

Why does Tony say he cheated on the essay contest?

Tony says he cheated because he didn't want to write the essay in the first place, and Ms. Gilbert forced them to do it. He also questions why Polly cares so much about the contest, as she has won numerous awards before.

How does Tony’s mother react to the situation?

Tony's mother doesn't seem aware of the cheating and offers cake to Polly when she visits. She’s focused on serving the kids and ensuring they are comfortable, suggesting juice instead of milk.

How does Polly's attitude toward Tony change by the end of their conversation?

Polly apologizes to Tony after reading his essay and realizing it was well-written. She softens her stance and accepts Tony's offer of cake, signaling a resolution between them.

Who is announced as the new top scorer and captain for next year's Math Olympics?

The new top scorer and next year's Math Olympics captain is Thomas 'TJ' Merriweather Colby.