Eleanor Roosevelt 18-Year-Old Graduate Wins in County School Board Primary

A recent 4.0+ GPA graduate from Eleanor Roosevelt High School, 18-year-old Raaheela Ahmed, is the youngest winner in a primary race last week for the Prince George's County School Board, The Diamondback reported. She is among three college students who won during the race.

Ahmed, a freshman biology major at the University of Maryland raked in 34.3 percent of the votes for District 5, almost 1,000 votes ahead of incumbent and board chair Jeana Jacobs.

Both will appear on the ballot for November's General Election.

Jacobs herself is a University of Maryland alum, holding a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences from UMd., according to her biography page. She also teaches at University of Maryland, University College.

Jacobs told The Gazette that she is encouraged to see young people enthusiastic about running for office, but they might lack the experience necessary to oversee a $1.6 billion budget.

But Ahmed said she hopes to show candidates before November that despite her age, she has the necessary experience to represent on the school board, The Gazette reported.