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The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

WCHS junior Jeremy Kwon checks his phone during SMOB voting. Voter apathy has caused many students to stop caring about the SMOB or not vote at all.

Observer Opinion: SMOBs do what exactly?

By Isar Uslu, News Editor May 17, 2024

Every year, students across MCPS ask the same question: what exactly does the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) even do? Nobody has an answer. Not even the SMOB seems to know what they do....

MCPS SMOB Sami Saeed presenting his Safe Schools Resolution to the BOE on Oct. 26. One of Saeed's biggest goals as SMOB is to increase safety and security in s

Safe Schools Resolution raises the bar for school security

By Caroline Harless, News Editor November 13, 2023

In a world where mass violence is all too common in schools, it is no surprise that many students often feel unsafe in class. From individuals carrying guns in schools to countless bomb threats, MCPS has...

Richard Montgomery High School student, Sami Saeed will serve as the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) for the 2023-24 school year.

Introducing Sami Saeed, MCPS’ next SMOB

By Julia Levi, Observations Editor June 8, 2023

Fed up with empty promises and a vast opportunity gap, recently elected MCPS Student Member of the Board (SMOB), Sami Saeed, is determined to ensure that all students feel heard and represented. After...

Student Member of the Board Hana O’looney at the Feb. 24 Board of Education meeting. At the meeting, O’looney advocated to keep the mask mandate in schools which caused her to face lots of negativity online.

SMOB Hana O’looney faces unfair cyberbullying for speaking up

By Caroline Harless, Photo Manager March 21, 2022

The role of the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) comes with engaging in issues prevalent in MCPS: having a say on the Board of Education (BOE) and advocating for the student body. However, when current...

A poster encouraging students to vote for the 2021 SMOB. Voter turnout in past elections has been very concerning, sparking concerns about how much the SMOB truly represents MCPS.

SMOB falls short for students

By Jasper Bernstein, Observations Editor March 17, 2022

A wave of applause swept over the crowd, as the two Student Member of the Board (SMOB) finalists were announced. Cheers radiated from the surviving two campaigns, while frowns and disappointment came from...

As a voting member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, the SMOB has the ability to push for the changes backed by students. The issues highlighted in their campaign are often the focus of their advocacy.

As SMOB election season unfolds, new ideas arise

By Ha-Yeon Jeon, Opinions Editor February 15, 2022

Give me an S! Give me an M! Give me an O! Give me a B! What does that spell? SMOB! As the SMOB Nominating Convention on Feb. 16 quickly approaches, student campaigns are beginning to pick up steam to see...

Despite only six MCPS high schools offering it, the need for financial literacy courses increases. With the resolution on track to be officially finalized in January 2022, this goal could soon come   true

Board of Edu. passes financial literacy graduation requisite

By Jeremy Chung, Assistant News Editor November 23, 2021

On Nov. 9, the Board of Education (BOE), in a unanimous vote, passed a resolution to include financial literacy as one of the required courses to graduate. However, this resolution does not mean it is...

Hana O'Looney, the current MCPS SMOB, smiles in a campaign photo. Throughout the entirety of her campaign, O'Looney was active on multiple social media platforms to ensure that she was engaging with as many MCPS students as possible.

Get to know MoCo’s 2021-2022 SMOB Hana O’Looney

By Caitlin Murphy, Assistant Online Editor October 21, 2021

Passionate, engaged and committed - these three words only begin to sum up current MCPS Student Member of the Board (SMOB), Hana O’Looney. From advocating for equity in the school system on the countywide...

SMOB final candidates Henry Kaye and Hana O’Looney, both current juniors at Richard Montgomery high school, will face off in the SMOB general election in April. Current SMOB, Nick Asante, posted this infographic as a congratulations to the finalists who emerged from a field of ten.

SMOB candidates campaign for 2021-2022 school year seat

By Quinn Cook, News Editor March 14, 2021

In a year with few educational continuities, MCPS students will see one soon: a new Student Member of the Board. With Henry Kaye and Hana O'Looney being chosen as the two final candidates at the SMOB Nominating...

The final two candidates Vicky Kidder (left) and Nick Asante (right) pose after hearing their nomination for the SMOB general election. The pair are the final two who students will vote on for the position.

SMOB nominating convention: the final two

By Quinn Cook, Staff Writer March 5, 2020

On Feb. 12, delegates from schools around the county went to the annual nominating convention for the 43rd Student Member of the Board (SMOB) position. Held at Watkins Mill Elementary School, the convention...

WCHS President Jay Wood preparing to speak for his SMOB announcement video in the halls of WCHS.

This year, the SMOB election comes to WCHS

By Andrew Chan, Sports Editor January 30, 2020

The SMOB is the Student Member on the Board of Education in Montgomery County, and he or she has a vote on many crucial issues in the county. The last time Montgomery County has had a SMOB from WCHS was...

Tinbite visits classes throughout WCHS to talk about policies he hopes to inplement if elected as the next SMOB.

MCPS votes for new SMOB

By Sophie Liss, Senior Writer May 17, 2019

Junior Nate Tinbite of Kennedy High School was elected to be the 42nd Student Member of the Board (SMOB) April 24. The SMOB provides a connection between MCPS students and the Montgomery County Board...

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