It’s hard being a friend and a prefect. I can’t just make them do something and I can’t hit them if they don’t.

This from a senior at a top prep school who has obvious natural leadership skills and has just started his first year as a prefect. This is his second year at the school after transferring from one of the statistically worst urban areas in the country.

Prefects are the student leaders in the dorms. They are selected by the students and faculty after a competitive application and interview process.  (At other prep schools they go by different names, such as proctors.)