SMOB INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Students interested in being nominated by their school principal for the position of Student Member on the State Board of Education (SMOB) are encouraged to watch the SMOB Informational Webinar held earlier in October. It was facilitated by the current SMOB and featured three former SMOBs, including Dr. Josh Michael (2005–2006 SMOB), who now serves as President of the State Board of Education.  They shared a lot of great insights and advice.  (Click on the graphic to the right to watch.)

2025-2026 student member on the State Board of Education
O’Marie Barns
Crossland High School, Prince George’s County

Information for the nomination of the 2026-2027 State Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) 

NOMINATIONS OPEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

Each public high school principal in Maryland is invited to nominate one student for this position. The student nominee must be regularly enrolled in a public high school, in good standing, and a junior or senior as of July 1, 2025 (meaning a current sophomore or junior).

Dates to Remember:
⇒ October 7, 2025:  SMOB Informational Webinar (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
⇒ November 17, 2025:  School nomination Google form completed by Principal (5:00 p.m.)
⇒ December 8, 2025:  Completed student application packet must be uploaded (5:00 p.m.)
⇒ December 8, 2025:  Required recommendations completed (5:00 p.m.)
⇒ December 27, 2025: Selected Nominees contacted about interviews
⇒ January 3, 2026:  Virtual interview for selected nominees
⇒ January 9, 2026:  Finalists – Registered by school advisor or administrator to attend Legislative Session
⇒ January 24, 2026:  Up to five finalists present at the MASC Legislative Session, Loch Raven High School

Maryland State Board of Education

Vision

Ensure all students have access to a world-class educational system that prepares them to graduate ready for post-secondary learning, rewarding work, and success in society and life.

Mission

Provide leadership, set policy, and advocate for continuous improvement of Maryland’s educational system to achieve the following:

• Assist every student to realize his or her potential.
• Develop and support a strong accountability system to increase academic success for all students.
• Promote a safe, healthy, and orderly environment for learning and teaching.
• Ensure educator and administrative effectiveness.
• Promote students’ physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
• Expand high-quality educational opportunities for students and parents.
• Work with districts to strengthen infrastructure.
• Increase communication and partnerships with stakeholders statewide.

HISTORY:

1985-86 Melissa Fuller, Woodward High School, Montgomery County
1986-87 Ellen Kimatian, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City
1987-88 Kate Stainer, Oakland Mills High School, Howard County
1988-89 Shirley Leung, Bel Air High School, Harford County
1989-90 Justin Bekelman, Walt Whitman High School, Montgomery County
1990-91 Heather White, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick County
1991-92 Jonathan Sims, Richard Montgomery High School, Montgomery County
1992-93 Jamie Kendrick, Howard High School, Howard County
1993-94 Allison Cole, Severna Park High School, Anne Arundel County
1994-95 Joseph Edmonds, Jr., Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City
1995-96 Tracy Tucker, Westlake High School, Charles County
1996-97 Tiffany Butcher, Winston Churchill High School, Montgomery County
1997-98 Ritchie Sharp, Westlake High School, Charles County
1998-99 Rebecca Gifford, Wilde Lake High School, Howard County
1999-00 David Iseminger, South Hagerstown High School, Washington County
2000-01 Aaron Merki, McDonough High School, Charles County
2001-02 Lauren McAlee, South River High School, Anne Arundel County
2002-03 Caroline Gifford, Wilde Lake High School, Howard County
2003-04 Christopher Caniglia, Thomas Stone High School, Charles County
2004-05 Brian Williamson, North Hagerstown High School, Washington County
2005-06 Josh Michael, Centennial High School, Howard County  (NOTE: Dr. Michael serving as an adult member 2023 – present)
2006-07 Brian Frazee, Thomas Stone High School, Charles County
2007-08 Renford Freemantle, High Point High School, Prince George’s County
2008-09 Danke “Derek” Wu, James M. Bennett High School, Wicomico County
2009-10 David Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Prince George’s County
2010-11 Gayon Sampson, Tuscarora High School, Frederick County
2011-12 Nina Marks, Dulaney High School, Baltimore County
2012-13 Ebehireme Inegbenebor – New Town High School, Baltimore County
2013-14 Christian Hodges, Arundel High School, Anne Arundel County
2014-15 Stephen Priester, Manchester Valley High School, Carroll County
2015-16 Quinn Wandalowski, Smithburg High School, Washington County
2016-17 David Edimo, Richard Montgomery High School, Montgomery County
2017-18 Kyle Smith, North Point High School, Charles County
2018-19 Bryce Awono, Parkdale High School, Prince George’s County
2019-20 Noureen Badwi, Towson High School, Baltimore County
2020-21 Jason Wu, Poolesville High School, Montgomery County
2021-22 Kevin Bokoum, North Hagerstown High School, Washington County
2022-23 Merin Thomas, James M. Bennett High School, Wicomico County
2023-24 Abisola Ayoola, Wilde Lake High School, Howard County
2024-25 Abhiram Gaddam, Parkside High School, Wicomico County
2025-26 O’Marie Barnes, Crossland High School, Prince George’s County
2026-27