I don't understand popularity in high school?

I was a lot like you in high school. Being a part of the popular crowd was never something I was able to do even though I was friendly with most of them. I think the reason they're popular is that they appear cool to others who don't really exude that. They're often confident, wealthy, well dressed, participate in sports and student council and such. People notice them, and they thrive on that- gives them more confidence. So I think all of these likeable features of popularity seems to give off a certain social permission to do stupid things like doing drugs, drinking, and being ually promiscuous. Totally backwards, I know. High school in general is kind of a joke. None of this will matter once you graduate- I guarantee it!