by Abrar Omeish (note by Lowell: I encourage and welcome other Democrats running for the vacant Fairfax County School Board seat to also submit statements for Blue Virginia; the Fairfax Democrats will select their endorsed candidate on June 23 — just 9 days from now)
Hi everybody! My name is Abrar Omeish and I’m running for the School Board at-large position. Congratulations to all of the Democrats for running exceptional campaigns over the past few months!
If you’re a member of FCDC, you’ve probably heard from me in some way by now! I encourage you to reach out if you missed my message and hope to meet you soon. We may have met on the campaign trails for Obama 2008/2012, Bernie, or local and state politicians, even as far back as when I was the co-president of High School Young Dems. I have been a consistent Democrat and will be working for the DNC after the campaign.
Just a few years ago, I ran for the student position on the school board and lost by a single vote to the only voting candidate of 13 in a three-round, non-anonymous election convention. I have been incredibly passionate about equity and have, driven by this interest, gained unmatched credentials to serve on the School Board. I became the President of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and served on three School Board committees. I interned for the FCPS Superintendent’s Office and led an anti-bullying campaign that amended our own FCPS policies. I also co-founded a completely youth-led, youth-run non-profit organization that serves lower-income youth in twelve centers across the county (www.giveyouth.org). Since then, I’ve worked in several levels of government and policy-making and have been a part of generating real solutions tested on the ground.
Having served as a beneficiary, partner, agitator, and advisor to both the administrative and political sides of FCPS, I bring the perspectives of our many stakeholders to the School Board. Coupled with my experience as the only FCPS alumni candidate (having gone to Mantua ES, Frost MS, and Robinson SS for IB) as well as my robust policy and leadership background in the last four years, I would be a strong voice for equitable education and young people in Fairfax County. I also have siblings who are in FCPS schools and I remain an active part in their schooling. I also hold a double B.A. in the Intensive Political Science major and in Modern Middle East Studies from Yale.
I am incredibly blessed to have had the chance to work alongside mentors both on and off of the School Board who have advised me well for the demands ahead. As a result, Congressman Moran endorses our campaign with the following: “Abrar Omeish is an extraordinary example of what the future can be for all of us. This is a young woman who is not only highly intelligent and well-educated, but has the courage of her convictions. I know because she worked for me and stood out as a person with all the characteristics of leadership that you could possibly hope to find in a person of her age. I strongly endorse her for the School Board because she both has the perspective of the students but the maturity of the parents and administrators.”
Our campaign represents the experience, the character, and most importantly, the appeal throughout the county among students and educators to win the general election and to serve us well. We have raised significant funds in a short period of time and have gained a great deal of support in this race.
We’re excited and ready to secure the Democratic seat and urge you to join us in doing so!
Learn more: www.fairfaxvotesabrar.com
Volunteer: https://goo.gl/forms/kDobTKvSK9vtiQ2n1
Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fairfaxvotesabrar
Like/Share/Follow our page: https://www.facebook.com/AbrarforSchoolBoard2017
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/abraromeish
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