MCPS students elect Anuva Maloo as the 48th SMOB

Samantha Cutler, Ari Fine, Aditi Iyer, Jocelyn Yuan, and Elli Jacobs • April 25, 2025

After a tumultuous year within the MCPS Board of Education and administration, secondary and high school students across the county voted in junior Anuva Maloo from Montgomery Blair High School as the 48th Student Member of the Board position (SMOB) for the 2025-26 school year. Running against opponent Peter Boyko, a junior from Northwest High School, Maloo received 62 percent of the vote amongst 61,647 MCPS students.

Maloo ran on a platform centered around implementing menstrual hygiene dispensers in all bathrooms, ensuring access to Narcan and fentanyl strips in all schools and improving school safety. In the SMOB “Meet the Candidates Video,” Maloo mentioned her goals regarding cleaner schools and creating an anonymous form for students to share issues they face at school.

Currently, Maloo serves as her school’s class president and the workshop deputy for the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association. She is also involved with nonprofit work as the outreach director for the Yellow Foundation, an international organization dedicated to aiding people in poverty. Additionally, she is the founder and president of the Northeast Consortium (NEC) and Downcounty Consortium (DCC), an organization dedicated to advocating for the NEC and DCC communities.

As one of two SMOBs in Maryland who have full voting rights on their county’s Board of Education, Maloo can implement and propose pressing and vital changes to the county and the BOE. She will also receive a $25,000 college scholarship, SSL hours and one honors social studies credit.

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She will be sworn in to take the place of 47th SMOB Praneel Suvurna from Clarksburg High School on July 1.

Runner-up Peter Boyko posted on his Instagram to share his final thoughts on the process after the results were released. “To everyone who voted for and supported me throughout this roller coaster, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for fulfilling this dream of mine,” Boyko wrote. “I will forever be grateful.” Despite losing the election, Boyko plans to continue his advocacy work fighting for school safety, open bathrooms and adequate sanitary amenities. “This campaign started because of an overwhelming passion for student voice,” Boyko wrote. “I will never stop fighting for what I believe in.”

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About the Contributors

Samantha Cutler, News Editor

Senior Sam Cutler is excited to start her fourth year on the Tide as News Editor. Previously, she has worked as assistant opinions editor and news writer. This year, she is excited to cover a variety of news stories impactful to the RM community. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading and listening to music.

Ari Fine, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Ari Fine is in his fourth year on The Tide and very excited to be Editor-in-Chief this year. Ari previously served as Sports Editor and hopes to bring the same creativity into his role this year as EIC. In his free time, Ari enjoys going on runs and playing lacrosse with friends.

Aditi Iyer, Opinions Editor

Aditi Iyer is currently a sophomore at RM and is joining the Tide for the second year as a section editor for Opinions! In her role, Aditi is excited to help create important, relevant and impacting articles and editorials for the rest of the student body. When not at school or writing, she is either reading murder mysteries, watching X-files, drawing or listening to music.

Jocelyn Yuan, Features Editor

Junior Jocelyn Yuan is excited to be the Features Editor for her third year on The Tide. She was previously a Features writer and Assistant Social Justice Editor, and hopes to highlight diverse aspects of the RM community. In her free time, Jocelyn enjoys playing volleyball, discovering new food spots around the county, and cuddling with her cat.

Elli Jacobs, Science & Tech Editor

Elli Jacobs is excited to be writing for her fourth year in The Tide as the Science & Tech editor. As a senior, she looks forward to taking on challenges and meeting new people. In her free time, Elli enjoys playing the piano, crocheting and knitting.