FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCKVILLE, MD (July 6, 2026) — The Montgomery County Board of Education today formally installed Leul Dawit as its 49th Student Member of the Board (SMOB). A rising junior at Northwood High School, Mr. Dawit will serve as the student voice on the Board for the 2026–2027 school year, representing the interests and perspectives of more than 155,000 students across Montgomery County.

As a SMOB in Montgomery County, Mr. Dawit joins the Board as a voting member. He holds full voting rights on critical matters, including collective bargaining, capital and operating budgets, school closings and reopenings, and school boundaries. He is legally restricted only from voting on negative personnel actions.

"Student engagement is essential to building a stronger educational system," Mr. Dawit said. "I am dedicated to fostering meaningful connections with students throughout Montgomery County, ensuring their voices remain central to Board deliberations and policy decisions."

During his one-year term, Mr. Dawit’s platform focuses on:

• Amplifying Student Voice: Strengthening communication lines between the student body and school system decision-makers.

• Infrastructure & Services: Advancing tangible improvements to school facilities, infrastructure, and student services.

• Well-Being: Expanding and supporting student mental health initiatives and holistic well-being.

• Equity: Promoting equitable access to educational opportunities for all students across the county.

Mr. Dawit brings extensive experience in educational advocacy and student leadership to the role. Prior to his election, he served on the SMOB Advisory Council as Historian and Boundary Studies Deputy, as Historian of the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCR-SGA), and as a certified workshop presenter for the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC). He has frequently testified before both the Board of Education and the Maryland General Assembly.

His civic involvement spans numerous community and student-led organizations, including Eco MoCo, Student FAIR, MoCo4Change, and Knine Rescue.

Beyond his public service and academic pursuits, Mr. Dawit is an accomplished musician. He serves as co-captain of Northwood High School’s drumline, performs as a percussionist in the symphonic ensemble, and was selected for the Montgomery County Senior Honors Band. In his free time, he enjoys photography and playing recreational basketball.

While the SMOB position requires a massive commitment of time and responsibility outside of the standard school day, the student receives comprehensive compensation for their service. This includes Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, one honors-level social studies credit, and a $25,000 award that can be applied as a college scholarship, a stipend, or a combination of both.

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