By Leah Peloff ’18

Many high school students would describe their lives as relatively busy. Between school, homework, sports, socializing and more, most spend whatever excess time they have sleeping. Sophomore Matthew Post, however, fills his already busy schedule with responsibilities that come with his role as chief of staff to Student Member of the Board (SMOB), Eric Guerci.

Post has always been interested in student advocacy. He started off with inner-school SGA, becoming his class president in fifth grade, then got back into it in eighth grade when he applied to be on the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association.

This county student government was where Post really got his start. He worked tirelessly to rebrand the association and give it a newly polished look that could be taken more seriously. Due to his hard work, Post was approached by Guerci who asked if he would be part of his 2015 SMOB campaign. “Eric and I realized that we collaborated really well together and he appointed me as his chief of staff, ” explained Post.

With a one-year term, SMOB is a constant cycle, filtering new members in and out come election time in April. Because Guerci will seek reelection this year, “[He and Post] have worked together a lot over the summer and past months just getting his message out; constituent contact. But now that the election is ramping up, that requires a lot more media, a lot more content, and a lot more strategy” said Post

Whether he is working aside Guerci or testifying to the Montgomery County Council as a concerned individual, Post is extremely passionate about acting on behalf of the students. “Representing others is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have,” said Post. “When I am testifying to the board or state delegation, it feels great to know I am echoing the sentiments of those students whose voices would otherwise not have been heard.”

According to Post, the hard work does pay off in ways besides just the satisfaction of being the voice of those who otherwise go unheard. He has met many of the government officials from both state and local levels whom he would have never encountered otherwise. In addition to the extremely smart, inspiring people he has met, Post has learned priceless lessons about collaborating with others and working on a team.

When asked if he would ever consider running for SMOB himself, the answer was a definitive yes. “[Working as chief of staff] has really prepared me and gotten me in the know about the process, about the job, about the people you need to know and skills you need to have to do an effective job,” explained Post.