Vanessa Li, a student at Leonardtown High School (LHS), has been elected as the Student Member of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Board of Education for the 2025-2026 academic year. Throughout her time at LHS, Vanessa has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by taking on various significant roles. She served as the President of the Principal’s Student Leadership Advisory Council, where she was responsible for overseeing more than forty student leaders and facilitating various civic and school-related initiatives. Additionally, she held the position of Vice President for both the St. Mary’s County Association of Student Councils (SMASC) and the LHS Student Government Association.

Vanessa's influence extends beyond her school and county; she also served as the Division 5 Liaison for the Maryland Association of Student Councils. In this capacity, she collaborated with fellow student leaders from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties, leading monthly meetings, attending regional general assemblies, and coordinating a student leadership conference. Her efforts aimed to foster a collaborative spirit among her peers.

Vanessa's primary focus as a Board member will be on empowering students and increasing their awareness of educational opportunities. She is committed to ensuring that all students feel supported in pursuing their interests and academic goals. Furthermore, she plans to gain a thorough understanding of the budget process and establish effective communication and collaboration between the Board of Education and students.