While many of us were readying for the winter storm on Saturday, January 24, a delegation from TJ joined students from across Maryland at the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) Legislative Session in Baltimore. Over the course of the day, the representatives from TJ students met with members of the Maryland State Board of Education, including President Dr. Josh Michael and Student Member O’Marie Barns.
Why were we there? Part of the mission of the GTJHS SGA is to “ensure that the rights of students are protected and taken into consideration” (SGA Constitution). At this annual meeting of SGA students from across Maryland, delegates review legislation before the Maryland General Assembly that relates to student issues and concerns. This year topics were wide-ranging, from student representation on district library boards to school construction funding and technology use. This spring, MASC leaders, including students from TJ, will advocate on behalf of all Maryland students on these issues.
State Representation for Students: Another topic of debate was student representation at the state level. Did you know that students help choose the Student Member of the Maryland State Board of Education? Applications open in the fall, and finalists for the position are selected in December. The four finalists attend this legislative session where they meet with students and campaign for the position. MASC delegates vote on two nominees who are then forwarded to Governor Moore for his final decision. Students selected Abiola David Arowolo (Baltimore County) and Lorena Wu (Montgomery County).
Student-led Event: MASC events are run almost completely by student-leaders from across the state. The session delegates meet in groups of approximately 20 students to learn and debate issues. Valerie Turcios Quinteros and Temi Oluboyo led a workshop reviewing student representation on boards of education and Marland legislation pertaining to students. [I’ll text you a pic of the girls presenting.
The TJ delegation included Eliana Bafor, Bryson Davis, Thora Mintz (the newly elected FCPS Student Member of the Board), Temi Oluboyo, Lexine Owusu-Amaya, Valerie Turcios Quinteros, and Jayden Yokwan. Please ask them about their experiences – they represented TJ well!
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