Montgomery County Board of Education administers oath to incoming student member Anubha Malu

Anubha Malu was sworn in during a public ceremony of the Montgomery County Board of Education, where she pledged to represent students across Montgomery County Public Schools and said she would "work my hardest, bring your voice to the table, and start a new change in MCPS." The oath was administered by Karen Bushell, clerk for the circuit court of Montgomery County.

The swearing-in gives Malu the student member of the board seat and the formal platform to participate in board deliberations. Board President Julie Yang opened the ceremony by welcoming Malu and asking board members on the dais to introduce themselves.

In her remarks after the oath, Malu said she was "incredibly honored to assume this monumental role for the next year" and described personal experiences that shaped her student advocacy work, including founding an organization to amplify student voices and testifying in Annapolis. She noted that she has attended Montgomery County Public Schools from elementary through high school and said she sees the position as an opportunity to bring perspectives from across a diverse county.

Outgoing student member Praneel Subarna addressed the board and audience, calling the year of service one of the "greatest privileges" of his life and thanking family, advisors and board staff. Subarna also urged confidence in his successor and offered one piece of advice: "Good luck with the boundary study," a reference he raised during his remarks.

Superintendent and Board Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Taylor thanked Subarna for his work and praised both students for preparedness, teamwork and lifting others. Multiple board members — including Laura Stewart, Brenda Wolf and Carla Silvestre — offered brief tributes to the outgoing student member and words of welcome for Malu, citing the student members’ detailed preparation and distinct perspective.

The ceremony included a small token presentation to Subarna and an invitation for attendees to join light refreshments on the third floor. No board votes or policy actions were taken during the swearing-in; the event consisted of the oath, speeches and ceremonial recognition.

The board and speakers repeatedly noted that the student member role provides a direct line from students to board governance; Subarna referenced representing roughly 160,000 students in Montgomery County Public Schools during his remarks. Board members and the superintendent described the position as substantive — involving committee work, research and regular engagement with policy matters — not merely ceremonial.