Frankie Kirkwood is a San Pueblo High School student. She is an excellent basketball player and wants to play on the varsity team, but the coach won't let her, even though she's good enough, because the school board prohibits girls from joining the team. Laurie Partridge decides to run for homecoming queen in order to protest the policy in her acceptance speech, which will be televised. Laurie wins the contest and gives a speech railing against the evils of judging people based on their race or gender instead of on their merits. Then she rejects the title of homecoming queen, making Jerry Bishop the winner. Laurie's speech is so convincing that the school board reconsiders Frankie's case.