River Hill High junior elected as Howard’s next school board rep

Erin Alistar, a rising senior at River Hill High School, will serve at the next Student Member of the Board of Education for Howard County. Nick Griner/Courtesy

River Hill High junior Erin Alistar was elected to serve as the Howard County Public School System’s next Student Member of the Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year.

The vote was held on April 30, with students able to cast their ballots throughout the day on Canvas, the online education platform. The Board of Education certified Alistar’s win during a May 8 meeting. He will assume the position during the summer.

“This next year will be difficult. Facing large budget cuts and redistricting, I will need the support and direct input of as many students as possible. Please be on the lookout for more information about how you can get involved and make a difference in these processes,” Alistar said in a news release posted by the school system.

Alistar is grateful to assume the position and thankful for the support he received during his campaign from friends, family, educators and his campaign team, according to the release. His campaign focused on student mental health, renovating aging school buildings, reassessing the handling of midterm and final exams, and reviewing the newly adopted cellphone policy to include more exceptions.

“I look forward to Erin continuing to set the gold standard for student advocacy, as so many of the student members, including our very own James Obasiolu, have done before him,” Superintendent Bill Barnes said in a congratulatory message during his report to the board May 8.

Current student board member James Obasiolu is a senior at Atholton High who will be attending Harvard University after graduation. He recognized both candidates for their courage, respectful dialogue and the leadership skills they’ve grown through the campaign process.

“These moments of student democracy are what make our county special, giving voice to those most affected by education policy,” Obasiolu said. “The engagement I witnessed in this year’s election gives me tremendous hope for the future of student advocacy in Howard County.”

Alistar won the majority of votes over opponent Jeremy Wong, a junior at Reservoir High School. The two finalists were elected by their peers from among 13 candidates during the Howard County Association of Student Councils SMOB Convention on March 19.

In a post on the social media platform Instagram, Wong thanked all his supporters and congratulated Alistar for his win. Meeting other students and listening to their concerns was inspiring, Wong said, and it instills hope in him for the county.

“I am extremely proud of what this election represents and honored to have run. 6th grade Jeremy could have never imagined even getting this far. Our victories lie both in the journey and result,” Wong’s post read.

Student leaders in the Howard County Association of Student Councils facilitate and administer the campaign and election process with guidance from an adviser and school system staff. The student board member is granted voting power on all matters except for budget, personnel or other restricted items.

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