SMOB Campaign Interview: Drew Skilton

What is your name, grade, and school?

Hi! My name is Drew Skilton and I’m a junior at Walter Johnson High School!

What experiences in student leadership do you have?

Since middle school, I have dedicated myself to serving MCPS students both inside and outside formal student government organizations.

● MoCo Connect, Founder. I founded MoCo Connect in 2015 to connect students to their student leaders. MoCo Connect is an independent, unaffiliated multimedia platform designed to inform and empower all MCPS students by making sure their voices are heard by their student leaders.

● Montgomery County Regional SGA (MCR), Public Relations Department Deputy. I have worked to improve communications in an effort to better inform the student body of MCR initiatives and improve feedback to leadership.

● SMOB Advisory Council (SAC), Member. I have worked side-by-side with SMOBs Eric Guerci and Matt Post for the past three years on successful initiatives such as bell times and replacing final exams.

● North Bethesda MS, Treasurer. I spearheaded a fundraising drive that was awarded the MCJC Most Outstanding Activity/Project Award.

On a scale of 1-10 how well is our county operating?

Together we have made great progress, but we still have many for barriers to climb. If we work together as one student body we can get anything done! Right now I’d give us a 7.5.

List in order what would be your priorities under your term if you were elected:

Working together, we can:

● Improve student access to mental health professionals and resources

● Ensure equal educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students

● Invest in improving our facilities to ensure that all students are in safe and clean environments

You can see my full platform on my website! drewforsmob.com

As our county is ever so expanding rapidly, what would you do about overcrowding schools?

Students cannot learn in a crowded classroom. Together, we will fight our state and local policy makers so we can receive the additional funding we need to make sure every student receives the same quality education regardless of what they look like or where they come from.

What characteristics do you most value in a SMOB, and how will you show those principles while your SMOB?

An effective SMOB must listen to and communicate with the entire MCPS student body and be a voice on the Board for all students. During this campaign, I have crisscrossed the county to solicit feedback on what is important to you. I hear you. As your SMOB, I will advocate for changes that will benefit each and every school in the county. Effective communication is the key to being a successful student leader. I founded MoCo Connect to address what I believed to be a communication disconnect between our leadership and the student body. If elected, I will improve electronic outreach to solicit student ideas and feedback using Instagram livestreams, Snapchat, and other social media tools, as we have done at MoCo Connect, but there is no substitute for in-person visits. If elected I will host regular town halls and organize lunch visits and meet-and-greets at every MCPS middle and high school.

Any other comments?

I am ready to fight together with you and for you, and to be your voice, but I need your help. I am asking that you join our team. I am asking for your support and your vote.

Fun Facts:

What’s your Spirit Animal?

I would say Lion because I am a relentless fighter in the face of challenges. I will never stop fighting for what is best for the students of MoCo!

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

Besides student leadership and MoCo Connect, I play tennis, run a club called Sit-With-Us, and take photos, but SMOB is a full time commitment and nothing will come before it.

Favorite Show:

Modern Family

Favorite Book:

Between the World and Me - Ta-Nehisi Coates

Favorite Celebrity:

Justin Trudeau

Favorite School Subject:

Technology