The Wicomico County Board of Education on Tuesday, June 30 approved the appointment of Mardela Middle & High junior Andrew Yates as the 2026-2027 Student Member of the Board, effective July 1. His appointment followed an application and interview process to select the first Student Member of the Board in many years.
“I’m really excited to serve as the student member of the Board of Education—something Wicomico County hasn’t had in awhile,” said Yates. “Students don’t always have the representation we deserve when decisions are being made, and I’m here to be a voice for the 15,000 students in Wicomico County Public Schools. I’m hoping I can help make a difference.”
Yates (full name Brian Andrew Yates Jr., going by Andrew Yates) just finished his sophomore year at Mardela Middle & High School. In the classroom, he maintains a 4.0 unweighted grade point average (GPA) every semester. His weighted GPA from his courseload of all Advanced Placement and Honors classes is 4.875. He was elected to serve as President of the school’s Student Government Association, and will serve as Mardela’s student representative to the Board in 2026-2027 as well as the Student Member of the Board.
“Andrew presented himself very professionally. He was well prepared, had a deep and extensive resume, and clearly showed a strong desire to serve in this role. As Chairman of the Board, I’m planning on saying to him frequently, ‘What do you think, Andrew?’” said Gene Malone, Chairman of the Board of Education. “He already has a plan for how he will get input from students, starting with the other student representatives to the Board, going back to his own school, and reaching out to students throughout Wicomico County.
“We’re very excited to welcome him to the Board table for the next year. We think this is going to be great for the Board, for students and for Wicomico County Public Schools.”
Yates brings many skills and experiences to his new role as Board member. He earned the Boy Scout Eagle Award at age 15, was awarded the Bronze Palm Award for earning five merit badges beyond what was required, completed the Philmont Trek and has served in a number of Scout leadership positions. Yates is a two-time Carson Scholar, which secured him a $1,000 scholarship for college. Last summer, he attended West Point’s summer STEM program, earning the Black Knight Award for embodying West Point’s core values. This summer, he attended the HOBY leadership conference. During school breaks, he works as an assistant technician at Delmarva Auto Glass. He is a member of the Delmarva Wrestling Club.
At Mardela Middle & High, he served as President (9th Grade) and Treasurer (10th Grade) for the Class of 2028. Yates competed as a freshman and sophomore in varsity cross country (Unsung Hero Award and Sportsmanship Award), varsity track and field (Sportsmanship Award), and varsity wrestling (team captain and Unsing Hero Award both years). He is a member of the Math Honor Society, serving as President last year, and competed on the Varsity Math Team. He participated in the TAD (Thinking and Doing) Program for gifted and talented elementary and middle school students.
In the community, Yates has served at the HALO shelter to serve meals and pack donations, and at Hands and Hearts Ending Homelessness to prepare and serve meals, sign in guests, and hand out supplies. In summer 2025 he interned at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. He is a cadet with the Mardela Springs Volunteer Fire Department and is working toward EMT certification. Through all of these service activities, as well as volunteer work with the Salvation Army and in the community with the National Junior Honor Society, he has recorded more than 675 service-learning hours.
In February, the Board of Education approved its Student Representative to the Board and Student Board Member Policy, which gives guidelines for the selection of the student representative to the Board from each high school as well as for a Student Member of the Board. All of the newly elected 2026-2027 student representatives to the Board were invited to apply to be the Student Member of the Board. Three of the student representatives applied. The Board interviewed them earlier this month for the one-year term that will begin on July 1.
“All three candidates we interviewed were excellent, and we look forward to working with all of the Student Government Association presidents from the high schools over the next year,” Malone said.
The 2026-2027 Student Government Association representatives to the Board from the four high schools are:
• James M. Bennett High: Olivia Magaha
• Mardela Middle & High: Andrew Yates
• Parkside High: Phoenie Zhang
• Wicomico High: Logan Martin