The Girls of Central High; Or, Rivals for All Honors

"The Girls of Central High; Or, Rivals for All Honors" by Gertrude W. Morrison is a story that follows friends navigating the ups and downs of their high school years, particularly Laura Belding, a hardworking girl helping in her father's jewelry store, and her adventurous friend Bobby Hargrew. They dream of creating a girls' athletic association in Central High, a goal made difficult by the limits placed on girls' sports at the time, and the story explores the challenges they face as they try to achieve this. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a prank goes wrong, resulting in a fire at Bobby's father's store, leading to accusations and misunderstandings that threaten the girls' friendship and their efforts to secure athletic opportunities. The story examines ideas like the strength of friendship, the importance of never giving up, and the need for physical activity, all set against a backdrop of competitive rivalries between schools.