TOWSON, MD—Middle and high school students from across Baltimore County have selected Parkville High School junior Kayla Drummond to serve as the student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County (SMOB) for the 2023-2024 school year. Drummond’s one-year term begins July 1, 2023.

This is the fourth year that all BCPS middle and high school students could cast ballots for the student member of the Board, and 9,411 students cast votes on March 23.

Drummond’s fellow candidates were Nick Dimitriades, a junior at Towson High School, and Nathan Harris, a junior at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Prior to voting, students were able to learn more about the candidates by viewing their video Q&A sessions, videotaped speeches, and campaigning via social media and virtual school visits.

In her campaign speech, Drummond said: “Your student member of the board must be determined, passionate, and overall willing to take on the challenges that come with the position. Someone that listens to, empathizes with, and appreciates the students unconditionally. A SMOB who admires the power of all BCPS students. A leader who believes that each and every student of color, LGBTQ+ member, and those who have been marginalized by society feels secure and loved. Someone who believes that a student’s quality of education should always be at the forefront of concern. . . .”

Drummond continued, “Your student member of the board, most importantly, must be yours, someone you can count on to take all opinions and hopes for the future into consideration, someone that represents you. If elected, I will not only hold the SMOB title but will be an amplifier for your voice, concerns, and desires as a representative for the students and your co-equal, but, most importantly, a fellow student who is passionate about equality and making education as efficient and enjoyable as possible for all students.”

Drummond is an honor roll student at Parkville and serves as a class officer and in leadership roles in the school’s AVID Club, Student Council, and in the One Love Club. She is a National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador and member of the Rho Kappa National Honor Society, and she has been a member of Parkville’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleading squads. Active in community service, she has volunteered at Manna House, the Love for Our Elders program, and at AVID Family Night. She has also worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA of Central Maryland.

Drummond’s term will begin as current Student Member of the Board Roah Hassan’s term ends. Hassan is a senior at Perry Hall High School and will graduate in June.