Chad Leo

Chad Leo is a political activist, youth representative, and community organizer currently living in Calvert County, Maryland. He is currently serving as the Maryland State Director for Youth for National Change, and studies at Patuxent High School. Chad believes that change is right around the corner, but each and everyone of us is needed to cross the road.

The quote above is from Memphis the Musical. In the musical, they address racial discrimination, civil rights, and how one couple can change history. Everyone is created equal, black or white, women or man, gay or straight, young or old. We all deserve the same rights. We all deserve to be happy and have equal opportunity.

I highly support Full Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) Voting Rights. In the Fall of 2015, I plan on leading a state-wide campaign to increase SMOB voting rights on every county school board. The students need to have a full say in their education. “It is not enough to simply listen to student voice. Educators have an ethical imperative to do something with students, and that is why meaningful student involvement is vital to school improvement.” We should have a full voice in our future. This is our life and it should not be run by adults who have already had the chance to thrive.

This past year I served as the President of Best Buddies. I had the opportunity of a lifetime to be paired with a student with IDD, and promote special education involvement around the school. We need programs like that in every school. Along with this comes a fully staffed school building, to meet the students needs. This includes: Class size, extra help, teacher-student relationship, program opportunities, and anything that the students may need.