Crofton High Student Elected as Next Student Member of Anne Arundel Board of Education

A junior at Crofton High School has been elected to serve as the 2026–2027 student member of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education, according to Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Sara Hamdaoui was selected by members of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC), with results announced April 22 on the organization’s Instagram page. She was chosen over fellow finalists Stella Chen of Severn Run High School and Olivia Takash of Broadneck High School.

Hamdaoui’s name will be forwarded to Wes Moore, who is responsible for making the formal appointment. If confirmed, she would become the 53rd student member of the board and the second from Crofton High School. Her older sister, Hafsa Hamdaoui, previously served in the role during the 2024–2025 school year.

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the trust students have placed in me,” Hamdaoui said in a statement. “This win isn’t just about me; it’s about making sure every student feels engaged, equipped, and empowered to create change in our schools. Let the work begin!

Hamdaoui would succeed current student board member Brayden Morgan of Glen Burnie High School, whose one-year term concludes June 30. If appointed, she will assume the position July 1.

Active in student leadership, Hamdaoui serves on the countywide Superintendent’s Teen Advisory Council and Crofton High’s Principal Advisory Council. She is president of the school’s French Honor Society and participates in the Key Club and National Honor Society. Additionally, she is a member of the Student Government Association Executive Board and is involved in both CRASC and the Maryland Association of Student Councils.

Beyond school-based activities, Hamdaoui has served since June as a team co-lead for Work2BeWell, a national initiative focused on improving access to mental health resources. She also co-chairs the Communications Committee for the district’s Student Service Leadership group, which promotes volunteer and service opportunities.

Her campaign centered on engaging, equipping, and empowering students. As student member of the board, she plans to strengthen student voice through improved communication and expanded opportunities for input in decision-making. She has also emphasized the importance of providing students with tools to advocate for themselves and better understand board actions, while prioritizing mental health resources, wellness education, and consistent policy implementation.

Students have held a seat on the Anne Arundel County Board of Education since 1974, when a representative from Andover High School first served in an advisory role. Since 1975, the student member has had full voting rights — a distinction unique among local school boards nationwide.