The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-04-01
THE LEADER
BY LUCIA MALLORY

Perhaps it was because she stool
several inches taller than any of the
rest of the class entering Happy Vale
High School, that Dora Bond was
chosen leader in 50 many things. Or
it may have been her voice, her de-
termination to hold the spotlight, her
push, her entire absence of shyness.
Whatever the reason, at the end of
week she already had answered the
call for leader for the Sky-High
| Club. Sim hair cut like a boys, she
had stood "Tll be president" she said
in Il voice that reached everyone pres
ent almost before the others were fully
aware that a call for Il candidate had
been made. She was elected with but
five dissenting votes.
This club was to look after new
girls, send flowers to any who were
sick, collect money and meet delegates
from other Sky High clubs. All this
Dora managed with high-handed vigOr.
When request was made for some
one to play for students to march in
and out of classes, Dora strobe to the
plenty of mistakes, but with enough
rhythm to serve.
"Gracious!" How awful" 'If l
couldn't do better than that I'd not
undertake to play for the school ~
were the remarks whispered from
more efficient musicians, but no one
really disputed Dora's place, and
gradually she came to be taken for
granted.
When the school band assembled,
the band master as a matter Of
course asked Dora to accompany
solos, on the piano. This responsibility
carried Il small remuneration, and was
deeply coveted. Dora accepted, of
course.
She knew nothing at all of art but
at IL meeting of the Art Club she man
aged TO make some sort of speech on
the subject, and was elected president
of that society.
A shy little girl, Mary Reed, almost
at the top of her musical career-as
far as local opportunities went-made
Il stand for the position of accom-
panist for the Choral and Dramatic
Club She jumped up when the re-
quest came, hgt, small and shy her
voice made little. impression. A few
turned to look at the timid little thing
with flaming checks. Then Dora
arose, tall and commanding, and i'm
mediate clapping followed. Dora was
elected TO the post She was made
president of the Library Club, too
chosen and voted class captain - in
spite of the fact that she was not
popular and was growing steadily less
in favor
At every gathering her slim, boyish
figure was in evidence. 3ut as weeks
ran into months Dora found the weight
OF her responsibilities too heavy Their.
We're too many concerts and dances
and too many evenings and weekend
festivities that she must attend. The
tail Dora grew taller, thinner, paler
Then, in the spring, the child was
obliged to be absent for many, many
weeks This resulted in failure to be
promoted.
Her parents were loud i'm their con.
demnation of the school that had taken
SO much of their daughters time and
energy unnecessarily. Their charges
were not altogether unjust Every
school, especially those for adolescent
boys and girls, should have Il planned
program of guidance in its social ac
tiylcs There should be some deiinit,
ruling with regard TO the number OF
Offices any one student may hold anC
the number of activities i'm which any
one boy or girl may participate. But
parents, too, have their responsibilities
If the school does not safeguard their
, son or daughter in this way, they
themselves certainly should
1t was natural for Il girl with Dora's
characteristics, talents, and faults, t'
do just what she did. But all the ac
tivitieS Of school should not be en-
Ty.i,g. n, l, .lI