Oct 2, 2006 6:06 pm US/Central
Suburban Teen's AIDS Screenplay To Become Movie
Keyana Ray Watched Her Aunt Die Of AIDS
by Mike Puccinelli
HILLSIDE (CBS) ―
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Keyana Ray's screenplay on AIDS is going to be made into a film by Black Entertainment Television.
CBS
A suburban teenager watched her aunt die of
AIDS. Now trying to make a difference and save lives.
CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli introduces us to a young writer turned national film maker.
"She's dying a quiet death, but to the average person she looks healthy, and it's such a shame to turn a moment of pleasure into a lifetime of pain."
Seventeen-year-old
Keyana Ray is reading from her award-winning screenplay. It's a cautionary tale called "She's Dying." The people at
Black Entertainment Television liked the story of young people growing up in the time of AIDS so much they're planning on turning it into a film.
"When I won, I kind of felt like Michael Jordan winning the championship," Ray said.
And perhaps she should, because Keyana beat out hundreds of other contestants for the right to see her words come to life.
The 20-minute short could be ready for broadcast nationally on BET as soon as February.
Keyana's principal at
Proviso East High School says it's vital that young people sound the alarm about risky behavior.
"It could not only change lives but possibly save lives. And I think that's the key," said Principal Milton Patch.
One life it can't save is that of Marilyn Jenkins, the woman who inspired the fictional screenplay. Marilyn was Keyana's aunt. Keyana watched her transform from a beautiful woman into a pock-marked shadow of her former self.
"At one point she just decided that she didn't want to continue with her medication," Ray said.
Marilyn died a short while later at 32. Keyana's mother Ivory Jenkins says her sister would have been proud of Keyana
"It's like she's living on through her spirit. The things she's said my sister has said," Jenkins said.
"As she glances in the mirror before her is any empty reflection, pondering on the fact that she should have used protection," said Keyana -- a voice from the grave heard by one girl now, and soon by an entire nation.
Rep. Danny Davis has given Keyana an award as Youth of the Year and intends to make a proclamation from the floor of the House in December in honor of her achievements.
(CBS 2, the Naperville Sun and the Aurora Beacon-News are news partners covering stories in the western suburbs of Chicago.)
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