HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 1, 2018) – Five candidates will be considered for the position of Student Member of the Washington County Board of Education (BOE). Student delegates from each middle and high school will choose one of the finalists at the March 13 Washington County Association of Student Councils General Assembly.

The finalists are:

• Chiara Blair (Barbara Ingram School for the Arts) – Chiara is a junior at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, majoring in instrumental music with a minor in vocal music. She is involved in chamber choir, cantala choir, orchestra, pit orchestra, jazz band, Key Club International, Youth for Christ, Prom Committee and the department representative for the Student Government Association at Barbara Ingram. Chiara says she has a passion for leadership and making change in every phase of her life.
• Mariam Diallo (North Hagerstown High) – Mariam is a sophomore at North Hagerstown High School. She is on the pre-IB course diploma program and her school activities have included volleyball, cross-country, track and field and student government. Mariam says her platform supports inclusion and diversity in opportunities for students, especially specialized programs when it comes to funding priorities, encouraging more proficiency in art and technical areas and additional focus on career and vocational study, along with increasing the engagement of learning disabled students.
• Brianna Holder (Boonsboro High) – Brie is a sophomore at Boonsboro High School. She has been involved in student government at the school, county and state level, including her election as class president the last three years, historian at Boonsboro High, board member on the Washington County Association of Student Councils, historian and workshop trainer for the Maryland Association of Student Councils, team leader for Strong Schools Maryland, while also being an advocate for Four Diamonds Association in the battle against childhood cancer. Brie says it is important to continue to build a safe and positive school environment in which students can prosper, and she will continue to accept diverse opinions and ideas from her fellow students so she is more aware of what they need to be successful.
• Christopher Mackley (Williamsport High) – Christopher is a sophomore in the STEM program at Williamsport High School. Along with involvement in student government at the school, county and state level, he also participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Honor Society, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track and has participated in the past in basketball, marching band and concert band. Christopher says he is grateful and excited for the opportunity to use his five years of Student Government Association experience to represent his Washington County peers.
• Maureen Rafter (Williamsport High) – Maureen is a sophomore at Williamsport High School and involved in student government and music. She is vice-president of the student government at school and has served as a WEB leader, member of the school’s We the People team and attended the Maryland Association of Student Councils General Assembly. Maureen believes in equal success and opportunities for all students and will advocate for underrepresented students while collaborating with BOE members and her fellow students.

The next student member of the BOE will succeed Ibrahim Diallo, a senior at North Hagerstown High School, who is serving his term during the 2017-2018 school year.