Freshman Leah Vollmer is a straight-forward, no-nonsense individual who has been shaped by the “social pressure cooker” of a small-town school environment. She has a low tolerance for nonsense and a survivalist approach to social dynamics. While she reflects on her past with a touch of distrust, she displays emotional intelligence regarding her own boundaries.
“In the school, there were about maybe 50, 60 kids… eighth grade was basically just in one hallway,” Vollmer said. “It was pretty small, which made it easier for you to know everybody pretty quickly… but because of that, there were less opportunities.”
Vollmer views middle school not with nostalgia, but as a period of forced proximity and hormonal chaos. Her bluntness about this stage of life shows a person who prefers reality over sugar-coating.
“Middle School is a very big learning experience. When I say learning experience, I mean snake pit… nobody is a big fan of middle school.”
A defining characteristic of Vollmer’s personality is her intense decisiveness regarding loyalty. When she discovers two-faced behavior, she doesn’t negotiate; she exits. She values her peace and self-worth over “fitting in” with a toxic group.
“In eighth grade, these girls, who I was supposedly friends with, were talking about me behind my back,” Vollmer said. “So I found out about it, and I stopped hanging out with them, because why would I surround myself with people that don’t like me in the first place and then pretend that they do like me to my face?”
When the social environment became unbearable, Leah showed a high level of maturity by seeking refuge with teachers rather than forcing herself back into the peer group that didn’t value her.
“For the first few months after I left my friends. I just kind of sat in the teacher pod and I ate lunch with the teachers for like, three months straight. My mental health was draining and life sucked.”
Vollmer posseses a dry wit and touch of strategic grace. Her current relationship with the mother of a former “enemy” shows she has long memory and a witty way of reclaiming her power.
“This guy, Corbin, he made up his rumor about me because I rejected him, and now I talk to his mom every day, and now we’re best friends. I’m best friends with his mom, and he just dislikes me,” Vollmer said.
Today, Vollmer is a person who thrives on “variety and diversity.” She has transitioned from being a girl trapped in a compact hallway to a high schooler who enjoys the freedom of a larger community, able to choose her own circle.
“I love Conifer because the variety here is a lot better and more diverse,” Vollmer said. “I actually have people that I can hang out with and that I like seeing every day.”
Leah is discerning, fiercely loyal to herself, and emotionally resilient. She has moved past being “actual chuz” and has emerged as a confident individual who prioritizes her mental health and refuses to tolerate anything from anyone.
