Hafsa Hamdaoui went to school in England, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates before starting her freshman year at Crofton High School in 2020.

Now a senior, Hamdaoui is the student representative on the Anne Arundel County Board of Education for the 2024-25 academic year.

“It’s enjoyable because I’m so aware of the fact that where I am now and what I’m doing is such a privilege,” said Hamdaoui. “Sometimes other things can feel like a bit of a hassle, and it’s a bit of a drag to get up and go do them. But I never, ever feel that way with my student member of the board duties.”

The 51st student member of the board, Hamdaoui was elected in May to represent the interests of Anne Arundel’s more than 83,000 public school students. She began her duties July 1.

“We have always been blessed with great student members of the BOE. Their wisdom and insight have been extremely valuable over the years,” said Robert Silkworth, president of the board.

The first student member was elected in 1974 although they were not given voting rights until 1975, making Anne Arundel County Public Schools the only school district in Maryland to have a student member with full voting rights.

“In a very brief period of time, I have learned that Hafsa is as dedicated and qualified to represent AACPS’s students as any of the previous student members,” said Silkworth. “She is a great listener. She knows her role. She asks great questions and she cares about her fellow students.”

Hamdaoui spent the summer visiting Morocco, interning at a nonprofit called Walk the Walk, and starting college applications. When she graduates from Crofton, she plans to attend a four-year college and is considering pursuing a law degree.

Both of her parents emigrated from Morocco to Oklahoma, where she was born. She went to kindergarten at Nantucket Elementary School in Anne Arundel County, but her family wanted to experience living in different countries.

“My dad likes to joke, ‘We go wherever the wind takes us,’ ” said Hamdaoui.

Hamdaoui, her parents and her two younger sisters moved back to Maryland in 2020 and she was part of the first freshman class at Crofton High School

“There was this palpable enthusiasm with the students and teachers,” said Hamdaoui. “You get to create traditions, to set a foundation for a school that’s going to be around for a while.”

When nominations opened last February, Hamdaoui’s friends encouraged her to run.

“I’ve had such diverse learning experiences that I think I see things through slightly different lenses,” said Hamdaoui. “There were little things that added up that I noticed around me that I didn’t necessarily feel were being addressed.”

Hamdaoui saw a lack of equity when comparing her school to other high schools in the county that were overcrowded or in need of renovation, she said.

“Every student deserves an incredible education, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Hamdaoui.

Hamdaoui was also motivated to run by seeing how the COVID-19 pandemic affected her classmates’ mental health. Crofton High School’s first academic year was entirely online.

“Everywhere around me I saw students struggling,” said Hamdaoui. “I felt like there was more to be done for those students.”

Through participating in DemocraShe, a nonprofit that provides teen girls with training in resiliency skills and leadership, Hamdaoui met her mentor, Marie- Alise Recasner-de Marco. Marco is a former soap opera actress who grew up and still lives in Los Angeles. Marco says her experience growing up and in the entertainment industry made her passionate about supporting young women pursuing careers in male-dominated fields.

“She will say something if she feels that it needs to be said, and I’m really proud of her for that,” Marco said of Hamdaoui. “I’ve learned as much from her, if not more, than she’s gotten from me.”

Though the school year just started, Hamdaoui says she’s already busy with her duties and is looking forward to the next board meeting on Wednesday.

“There’s always more to learn,” said Hamdaoui. “I’m a very curious person, and so it’s completely different and completely new to anything I’ve ever done before. It’s like trial by fire.”