Gov. Thomas Johnson High School junior Elijah Steele was elected the next Student Member to the Board of Education of Frederick County (SMOB).
His one-year term will begin July 1. Until then, he will shadow current SMOB Brooke Lieberman from Urbana High School.
FCPS middle and high school students voted online to elect the 2024-25 SMOB. The election was finalized Tuesday after delegates representing each middle and high school cast their votes during the Frederick County Association of Student Councils General Assembly.
Steele was elected from a field of four candidates. During his campaign, Steele pledged to focus on mental health awareness and equitable opportunities for all students.
At Gov. Thomas Johnson High, Steele is a Student Government Association member and has served as chair for his school’s Homecoming Committee. He is also a member of the Black Student Union, Future Health Professionals, and Junior Executive Clubs.
The SMOB’s role brings a student viewpoint on educational issues to the Board of Education. SMOBs are expected to respect the diversity of students’ points of view, improve communication between the student body, staff and Board members, and engage students about board policies and decisions.