Clare Pollock is the voice of the daily announcements and Pledge of Allegiance for the 53 students who attend South Barber High School in Kiowa, a tiny town that hugs the Oklahoma border in south central Kansas.

One of 15 Chieftain seniors, Pollock holds or once held numerous other titles, as well. She's the student council president, a class officer, head cheerleader, tennis player, a musical soloist. And, when commencement day arrives May 8, Pollock will be South Barber's valedictorian for the Class of 2022.

"I've always thought of myself as a leader," said Pollock, the Capitol Federal True...