MCJC President Erin Rutter Argyle Middle School Erin_Rutter@mcpsmd.org “Together we can do anything”! Erin Rutter, Montgomery County Junior Council (MCJC) President was quoted saying at the MCJC Advance in August 2008. Erin wants all middle school students to know what they can accomplish as a team can be really amazing. A focused and motivated team like MCJC can provide super leadership in the county and have a fun time as well. Erin is in the 8th grade at Argyle Middle School located in the center of the county in a diverse community. Erin is in the Information Technology program at Argyle.

Erin was involved with SGA/Student council in elementary school but everything changed and got so much better in middle school. Erin was class representative during 6th grade in Argyle’s Student Government Association (SGA) and attended her first Maryland Association of Student Council (MASC) convention in Hagerstown, Maryland in Spring of 2007. During her 6th grade year Argyle SGA was very active in participating in MCJC General Assemblies (GA) held in various middle schools in the county during the year. It was during those GA’s and the MASC convention that Erin started finding her passion in leadership and student government and understanding the difference that student involvement can make in the local school, county system and even state. Erin was appointed Special Elections Liason for MCJC during her 7th grade year. She attended many meetings and learned more than she could have imagined about elections, the Student Member of the Board of Education position, state and county politics especially connected to education, communication and networking with other students across the state.

One of Erin’s goals this year is to help MCJC focus their leadership as a group to help all Montgomery County students realize they can have a voice in their school and beyond. Being part of your school SGA, MCJC or MASC is an important role for all students and there is room for everyone in all of these groups. Learning how to better communicate and work with your community is the key to better leadership. Erin’s hope is that the 2008-2009 MCJC team can help lead the way!

Chief of Staff
Leah Hammond
Silver Spring International MS

Leah Hammond is an 8th grade honor student at Silver Spring International School. Leah is in the French Immersion program. She has been studying Mandarin Chinese for 4 years and is nearly 75% fluent. This summer she attended the Beijing Olympics.

Leah has served as President of the Green Club of SSIMS. Leah is very concerned and passionate about the environment. In the summer of 2007, Leah participated in the Chesapeake Bay Student Leadership Program and was nominated to attend the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. Last year Leah was recognized by her teachers with an award for Exemplifying Excellence in the Area of Relationship Building. Most recently, Leah was asked to speak at a Chinese Earthquake Relief effort to raise money for the victims.

Leah will serve as Chief of Staff for the Montgomery County Junior Councils (MCJC). Leah’s primary responsibilities as Chief of Staff will be making sure that all staff members submit their monthly reports on time, and creating questions that the staff can answer each month about their progress.

Program Coordinator
Franchesca Kuhney
Farquhar Middle School

Franchesca Kuhney is an 8th grade student at William H. Farquhar middle school. She was voted the SGA representative in 6th grade, and in 7th grade co-founded Great Start, a community based program that provides free tutoring for underserved students. She is also the recipient of the Superintendent’s Student Service Learning Award.

Franchesca, plays basketball, runs cross country, and spring track. Franchesca Kuhney enjoys reading, singing, talking to her friends and just having a good time. She is full of energy and always ready to get a job done!

Communications Coordinator
Jack Saylor
Frost Middle School

My name is Jack Saylor. I am 12 years old and I'm in 7th grade at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Maryland. I have been in Boy Scouts since 1st grade and I'm on my second class rank this year. I do year round competitive swimming and I made it to all-stars last year (top 16th swimmer - in my age group for the county). I play the saxophone and I made advanced band this year and I'm trying out for jazz band. I live with my mom, my older, sister and my younger brother and my dog in Gaithersburg. I like to roller blade, go to the beach, and surf.

Historian
Alex
Kingsview Middle School

Hi my name is Alex. I go to Kingsview Middle School, where I am in the 8th grade.

My nick name is Silver. My favorite color is red (so why isn’t my nickname Red?). I play the trumpet in the advanced band and in the jazz band. I love soccer and have played with MSI Classic for 4 years with the Vipers.

I was in the SGA in 5th and 6th grade. In 5th grade, I was the Historian, which is my position for MCJC. I am a member of the Junior National Honor’s Society. For 6th grade, I was nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leaders conference. I attended the conference in 7th grade, last September, and had a blast! This year I am invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration with the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

I am very good with computers, and especially good at PowerPoint. I love photography (which is why I decided to apply to be Historian). I can’t wait to put all my MCJC pictures in PhotoStory.

MCJC Advisor:
Ms. Katie Rossini
Gaithersburg Middle School
Katie_C_Rossini@mcpsmd.org