This Tuesday, April 12, 2016, student representatives across the county determined which leaders would best represent them to larger organizations like the board of education, MD’s legislative branches, among others. This was an MCR meeting, otherwise known as a general assembly, which normally takes place on a monthly basis to serve as the county-wide gubernatorial branch for and by MCPS students.
Many spoke about how they would use a strong platform, lobbying skills, and communicative measures with the county as a whole to push the next SMOB to use his highly coveted (and hopefully ensured) ability to vote on MCPS’ two billion dollar budget. The bill that would guarantee these conditions to the next SMOB has just passed the state legislatures and has moved onto Governor Hogan’s desk, awaiting a signature.
Candidates relentlessly assured voters that they had plenty of experience and were qualified for the jobs. Such was evident via the fact that each had served at least a term on MCR’s Executive Board. SMOB candidate Liam Kim, who did not proceed to become one of the two eventual nominees (Eric Guerci and Alex Abrosimov), did place his bid for MCR president, but was not successful, despite his abundant experience with SGA at school and county levels.
More important, seemingly, was the array of promises made by candidates that got them spots as officers. Matthew Post, elected to the VP office, emphasized in his speech the importance of bridging the disconnect between students and the Board of Education, and “forging a path forward” for MCPS students’ future.
Many also discussed making MCR more accessible to students of all schools. Although MCR and its middle-school sibling MCJC are not exclusive groups, each has difficulty in engaging students from schools located in lower-income neighborhoods. Many promised increasing school events to get these SGAs involved in the grander scheme of things, and also reaching out to advisors and student-body presidents to bridge the never-more-present gap of missing students.
These were the MCR candidates, with the winner of each office at the top and in bold.
Secretary:
Isbaelle Zhou
Treasurer:
Ananya Tadikonda
Kyle Zhu
Vice President:
Matthew Post
Allison Wachen
President:
Prim Phoolsombat
Liam Kim
Matthew Pease
Article by MoCo Student Opinions Editor Darian Garcia of Richard Montgomery High School