The Frederick County Board of Education makes the major decisions that influence the educational success of all FCPS students. Headed by superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban, these individuals include Joy Schaefer, Kathryn Groth, Zakir Bengali, Colleen Cusimano, April Miller, Jean Smith, Brad Young, and a student from a Frederick County high school. Junior Michael Fink, Jr. wants to fill the student seat and impact student futures.
Fink has already appeared on FCPS TV and been quoted in The Frederick News-Post, but the final decision about who the student member will be will not be made until May 2nd, after a vote by school delegates.
“I think I could better represent the entire student body of Frederick County. I think that it would put me in a great position to impact the middle and high school careers of students for the better,” said Fink.
“As student member, I would try to broaden the unified sports program,” Fink said. “I would also like to help implement a dialogue on bullying and drug use in schools.”
The recipient of the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. award, Fink is deeply involved in LHS unified sports. He is a captain of the unified tennis team and has also participated on the unified track and bocce ball teams. “[Unified sports has impacted me by] letting me meet new people, befriend them, and mentor them. It’s changed me a lot and made me into a better person,” he said.
Mr. Robert Peters, FCPS Energy Specialist and Head Coach of the Unified Track Team, commented on Fink and his campaign.
“Mike best displays his leadership qualities by asserting himself in situations that are challenging, and encouraging others to do the same through his example. The outcome is usually successful for both Mike and others,” said Peters. “Mike would be a value added addition to the BOE because of his ability to articulate his opinions on high level issues and advocate for positive change on student concerns.”
“Mike has helped other students succeed (on the Unified Track Team) through his positive influence on his team members; specifically his support and encouragement, display of teamwork , enthusiasm and competitive spirit,” Peters concluded.
Fink is also a member of Young Life, a local Christian youth group. He has been a club member since 2011. “Young Life really helped to bring me out of my shell. It helped me get a grip on my faith and realize all of the great things that God is doing for me in my life,” said Fink. He is also a leader of the local Wyldlife club – a version of Young Life for middle school students.
In addition to Young Life, Fink is involved in other activities at school and in the community. He is a leader of the LHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. He has also been a member of the Impact Frederick crew that fixes homes in Frederick during the summer. He gives back to his community by coaching Libertytown Recreational Council basketball and baseball. This year, he was Junior Class Homecoming Prince.
Mrs. Stephanie Bindel, special education teacher, wrote Michael’s recommendation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. award last year.
“Michael Fink is a leader who demonstrates character on a daily basis in his work with special education students at our school. Michael works as an SSL [student service learner], and has connected with several students with disabilities in the classroom. He is kind, helpful, and treats all peers with respect. He is intuitive and will problem-solve when he sees another student in distress. He is also a member of Unified Sports, where general and special ed students play together on sports teams. Michael has a future goal of being a special education teacher, and will be a wonderful asset to the profession,” wrote Bindel.
“Michael worked as an SSL for teachers that had my students in their class,” Bindel said. “They would come to me to tell me what a wonderful job he does helping students.”
“He considers the needs of all students, he’s well-rounded. Everyone knows him, and he’s not afraid to say what he believes,” added Bindel.
“He’s just really outgoing. He talks to people a lot, so I think that he could reach out and talk to people from other schools about things that they want to work on,” said Junior Michelle Weddle.
“I would describe Michael as really optimistic. He’s able to find something good in everything and have a lot of fun. He’s just a really, really nice guy,” Weddle added.
“He likes to get along with people. He makes friends like that,” she said, snapping her fingers.
On February 6, Fink and the four other students appeared at a Town Hall meeting to establish their platforms and answer questions.
In that meeting, Fink pointed toward his experience in unified sports as a motivating factor for him to run for office. “In high school, I have have enjoyed working with our special education students. I have a special love for them, and I want to see them progress in a healthy environment where they can prosper in a safe environment where they will be accepted as wonderful people.”
He made the audience laugh when he said, “Our communications and relationships are like McDonald’s on steroids: fast, but not always the best for us to develop healthy attitudes and relationships.”
Fink closed his Town Hall statement by saying, “Life is fragile, and each person matters, and we must move forward from what is to what should be. We have no choice; the future of my Generation Z is all too valuable.”
All Frederick County students will be able to vote online for the student member of the board starting in mid-April.
