Having moved to Dixon, Ill., Ronald began to explore his artistic and leadership sides. Taken in 1920, this picture shows "Dutch" (far left with baton) posing with the Dixon Boy's Band. Just after this picture was taken, Dutch got his first lesson in leadership.
In the early 1920s Reagan gave his first public reading in Dixon. He memorized a short speech and received a great deal of applause. He loved the applause which gave him the desire later in life to get active in the theater. Reagan acted in his first play his freshman year of High School because of the interest sparked by his freshman English teacher, B.J. Frazer. Later, Dutch would describe himself as addicted to plays by the time he left high school.
Photo credit: Dixon Evening Telegraph
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Leading the band didn't always turn out the way it was supposed to. On one occassion, Dutch, at the head of the band turned onto a street headed in the wrong direction. Not following his lead, however, the band proceeded on its way until Dutch could backtrack and resume his position as the band's "leader."
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