Montgomery County Public Schools students have elected Leul Dawit as the next Student Member of the Board (SMOB), marking a significant moment in one of the nation’s most influential student leadership positions. A sophomore at Northwood High School, Dawit rose through a competitive election process to earn countywide support and will now represent more than 160,000 students.

The SMOB role in MCPS carries full voting rights on major issues, including budgets, school policies, and boundary decisions. As he prepares to step into the position, Dawit is expected to take on a demanding schedule that includes attending Board of Education meetings, reviewing policy proposals, and serving as a direct link between students and district leadership.

Dawit built his campaign around increasing student voice in decision-making, but his focus now shifts to action. In the coming year, he will work to gather student feedback from across the county and bring those perspectives directly into board discussions. He promises to utilize a SMOB advisory council with students across the county.

Before winning the election, Dawit held several leadership positions, including roles with the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association and environmental and advocacy groups. 

As SMOB, Dawit will be responsible for casting votes on policies that shape the daily experiences of students, giving him a direct role in decisions that most student representatives nationwide do not have. The SMOB election process spans several months and includes a nominating convention followed by a countywide student vote.

Dawit will officially join the Board of Education later this year, where he will immediately begin participating in discussions and voting on key issues. For the 2026-2027 school year, all sophomores and juniors are eligible to run to be Student Member of the Board.