Why do you think Hailsham students are special?

The students at Hailsham are special because they've been cloned in the hopes that their lives will elongate the lives of those for whom they are designated donors.

In my opinion, Ruth is often misunderstood. Ruth is selfish, and she bends the truth for her own purposes. None-the-less, she's also very intuitive and honest. In the end, she redeems herself by trying to make amends to those she's hurt.