18-Year-Old Elected To Newton Board Of Ed In Write-In Campaign

NEWTON, NJ — Recent high school graduate Lisa Qarmont isn't ready to leave her public school system behind just yet. No longer a student, 18-year-old Qarmont was elected to the Newton Board Of Education after running a successful write-in campaign.

Qarmont was one of three elected to the board. The other two member-elects, Setlla Dunn and Tina Larsen, appeared on the ballot and received a bit more than 1,000 each. Qarmout was one of four write-in candidates and won with 280 votes, just ten more than the fourth-place finisher.

Running for Board Of Education was a way to continue her longtime involvement in the Newton school system, Qarmout told Patch. She served as Student Council president while in high school, and is currently the reigning Miss Newton. She's currently enrolled as a freshman at Sussex County Community College.

"I was born in Newton and stayed here my whole life, attending all the Newton schools and just graduating from Newton High School in June. I was fresh out of the system," Qarmont told Patch, explaining her reasoning for running. "I was very involved in all the schools while attending them. But my main reason [for running] is to be an advocate for students while also respecting the tax payers."

Eleven members sit on the Newton Board of Education. Only Newton residents attend the elementary schools, but Newton High School accepts students from the Andovers and Green. The K-12 district has over 1,5000 students currently enrolled.

She told Patch her former teachers were "very excited" when she announced her run and were "overjoyed" when the votes were tallied.

Her friends have also been supportive of her candidacy, calling them "extremely supportive and encouraging."

"A lot of my friends who are away at college even reached out to wish me luck and then to congratulate me. From them being with me during it all to also helping campaign over social media and talking about me to get the word out," Qarmont told Patch.

To other young people considering a run for office, Qarmont had encouraging words: "Go for it!"

"The worst that can happen is they lose, and that builds character. So put yourself out there, let your voice be heard and be passionate and confident! Everything happens for a purpose, so whatever the outcome may be, stay positive and know that they did an awesome job by just getting themselves out there," Qarmont said.

Although unusual, it's not unheard of for young adults, some still in their teens, to run for public office. Twenty-one-year-old Heather Ward was elected to her local school district in Easttown, Pennsylvania, and a 20-year-old Verona, New Jersey man was almost elected to his local Board of Education.

Image via Lisa Qarmont, used with permission