<p>I have been a lurker from past few months. I need some advice. My daughter posed this question to me as she was asking my help. She is interested in few activities and has received awards in the various competitions. This club is student-managed club. On the basis of merit she was supposed to be elected as a board member. However, to her surprise two girls who come from very well off families have bought the present club members who are seniors by showering gifts on them. They have given them expensive gifts. On top of it these girls are doing some personal favors to some of the club members and trying to make sure that my daughter does not have a chance to get elected to the positions. I told my daughter gifts are out of question and sexual favors are not even thinkable. </p>
<p>Is this a common phenomenon in prep schools that meritorious kids gets pushed aside by other kids who have shady means to achieve their objectives? I am looking for advice. Please help us.</p>
<p>This doesn't sound quite right. I don't know how a club can exist with some form of school involvement unless it is "underground". Merit=having served in previous years? That implies she is the only one with seniority who could have taken the position.</p>
<p>No this will be the first time a club position opens. Merit is based on winning an awards when you compete against other schools and other students.</p>
<p>My daughter loves this activity. She does not care about even being a club member. Her biggest fear is that she may not be even allowed to go and compete in this activity. She is participating in these events since her early childhood. Board member has a say that is allowed to go. To give you an example, she has most awards in her grade level. But last time the club made a decision to select the team based on member height. As my daughter is short, and my daughter was left out. That time school did not win any wards. How do you deal with this when you are not even allowed to participate? </p>
<p>I guess this prepares her for life lessons that life is not fair. I told her to speak against this once she is in the position to do so that others may not meet similar fate in life.</p>
<p>You are helping her by coming here for advice from others. I know this will guide you and give you some thoughts for action. Listening to your daughter is the beginning of helping her. You can help her more than you realize. Don't feel helpless for that makes action hard to do.</p>