Col. Zadok Magruder High School student Chloe Appel will experience what it’s like to be a Councilmember on March 5

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 28, 2019

From the Office of Councilmember Craig Rice

Councilmember Craig Rice developed the Councilmember for a Day challenge
to give students the opportunity to learn about local government,
public policy and leadership

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 28, 2019—On Tuesday, Councilmember Craig Rice will host Col. Zadok Magruder High School student Chloe Appel as an honorary Councilmember. Councilmember Rice, who chairs the Council’s Education and Culture Committee, developed the challenge as a way for young people to become more engaged in public policy issues, learn about local government and become more involved with the community. Councilmember Rice announced the winner at the Council’s Youth Town Hall reception at the Council Office Building on Oct. 24. Nine other finalists also were recognized at the reception.

Ms. Appel will start her day at the Council with a breakfast reception in her honor with Councilmembers, Board of Education members and Council staff. Then she will participate in a Council meeting and attend all other meeting held by Councilmember Rice on March 5.

This is the third consecutive year for the Councilmember for a Day challenge.  Councilmember Rice asked middle and high school students to submit YouTube videos or written essays answering the following questions:

• In your opinion, what is the most important public policy issue facing young people today?  What suggestions do you have for national, state and local leaders to address this issue?

Ms. Appel’s winning entry was an essay focused on mental illness among high school students and her proposals for expanding mental health awareness and support services.  Her essay can be viewed here.

“The quality of entries for the Councilmember for a Day challenge continue to get more thought provoking each year and provide valuable insights into what is important to our youth,” said Councilmember Rice. “I want our young people to know they are heard and valued and that their ideas and views matter very much.

Outreach for the contest was conducted through social media and in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools.

In addition to the winner, Chloe Appel, nine other students were selected as finalists based on the quality and creativity of their entries. Alice Kahkajian, also from Magruder High School, came in at second place with an essay focused on expanding the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program to help close the opportunity gap.  Kadijah Keita, from Northwood High School, came in at third place with an essay focused on expanding mental health services for students in Montgomery County Public Schools.

The other finalists were (in alphabetical order by last name): 

• Momoreoluwa Alade, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School;
• Joshua Barney, Northwest High School;
• Tiffany Brown, Clarksburg High School;
• Darshini Babu Ganesh, Poolesville High School;
• Adji Keinde, Hallie Wells Middle School;
• Nyrene Monforte, Montgomery Blair High School; and
• Angela Xiong, Walt Whitman High School.

A video clip from the reception for the Councilmember for a Day finalists can be viewed here.

Applications are now being accepted for the next round of the Councilmember for a Day challenge. To apply, students should go to: tinyurl.com/CM4aday2019 .

 

 

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Release ID: 19-074
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Juan Jovel 240-777-7931