The position of the MCPS Student Member of the Board (SMOB) is so important that having a competent student represent the student body is paramount. For this reason, the Pitch Editorial Board is pleased to endorse WJ junior Reemey Ghermay for the 49th annual SMOB in 2026. 

Since the county’s first ever SMOB in 1979, only one SMOB has ever been from WJ (Bob Menkowitz in 2007). With Ghermay’s official nomination to be one of two finalists at the SMOB Nominating Convention on Feb. 11, she became the second WJ student ever to be a finalist. In contrast, Richard Montgomery High School has had five since 2007. It is a big deal to have a nominee from our school.

As students at WJ, we’ve witnessed firsthand her leadership as WJ’s junior class president, and her dedication to make Walter Johnson a better place. 

Besides class president, Ghermay also serves on the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCR-SGA) as a Legislative Deputy, as well as on current SMOB Anuva Maloo’s SMOB advisory council as Boundary Deputy. She also has founded Mending the Gap, which provides support to senior communities, as well as the Moco Period organization that works to push for availability and accessibility of menstrual products. These are just a few examples why we think that Ghermay is well suited for the roles and responsibilities of SMOB.

Ghermay is focused on the issues that impact us like mental health challenges, ensuring student safety in schools, implementing more menstrual products in school restrooms, making schools more equitable and providing more lunch options in cafeterias. 

Being the SMOB earns many privileges: a $25,000 college scholarship, SSL hours and one honors-level social studies credit. Not to mention name recognition throughout MCPS and the ability to put the title on one’s resume or college application. However, amidst the fanfare, it’s also terribly important to consider the fact that the SMOB position is much more than just a title. 

SMOB has influence on the big-ticket decisions that trickle down to classrooms throughout the county. They are given an equal vote for all of the board’s decisions and can bring ideas directly to the board in a way that normal students simply can’t, representing the student voice.

Another reason why the position of SMOB holds so much weight is the opportunity for representation of underrepresented groups. Students can often feel like their voice goes unheard on the very decisions that impact them. The SMOB votes on policy related to operating budgets, school closings (which the 2025-26 school year had a lot of), reopenings and boundaries. 

Your vote is crucial in choosing a student who represents students all across the whole county, not just WJ, and the SMOB serves a vital role in making sure all student voices are accounted for in decision making.

We wish Ghermay the best of luck as election day approaches.