Clarendon Hills student likes the look of local politics

Clarendon Hills resident Alden Leader is a Hinsdale Central senior who is interested in politics. | Chuck Fieldman—Sun-Times Media

Updated: April 15, 2013 6:13AM

CLARENDON HILLS — Alden Leader has a great name for politics.

And the 18-year-old Clarendon Hills resident is interested in possibly pursuing a career in that field.

“I do like politics because I think it can gives you a chance to help people,” she said. “You can do things with other types of jobs to help people, too, but I think politics can be a great way to help.”

Leader didn’t go far recently when it came time to complete a required project for the Advanced Placement course, United States Government and Politics, in which she is enrolled.

Taking advantage of a day off at Hinsdale Central, Leader made arrangements to spend the day getting an inside look at the workings of government in Clarendon Hills. Her day included some time at the Police Department, including a ride-along, and the opportunity to spend time with some village staff.

“We were suppose to observe a government agency and do a report, including an interview, so we could get a better idea of how government works,” Leader said.

She said she chose her local government in Clarendon Hills because it’s close to home.

“I thought there’s probably a lot more going on there than I realized,” Leader said. “I’ve gone by (Village Hall) so many times, and it looks so quiet, like nothing is going on, but I found that isn’t true at all.”

Leader said she found quite a bit going on.

“I went to a planning meeting about community development, and they talked about ways to get more people from the community involved,” she said.

Leader said she would be interested in getting involved with a local committee, if time permits.

“I think it’s important to be aware of what’s going on in your community and to get involved,” she said.

But along with her academic responsibilities, Leader has been a four-year member of both the girls swimming and water polo teams. Her final season of water polo just started. She came from her first match of the season March 4 to Village Hall to see the board in action.

“I like swimming and water polo; there two very different sports,” she said. “Swimming is really more individual, and water polo is a nice change of pace because you’re part of a team playing together.”

After graduating this spring from Central, Leader plans to follow the path taken previously by her mother and grandmother.

“I’m going to Northwestern (University),” she said. “I plan to study political science and biology. I’m excited about going to Northwestern; it’s a great school, and I like the idea that I can come home if I want to because it’s close enough.”

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