Voters elected Ariana Leonard, Camille O’Quin and Tamekia Smith to the Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 school board in Tuesday’s election.
Voters gave Leonard 4,995 votes or 26.08%. She had the highest vote total, followed by O’Quin with 4,303 votes or 22.46% and Smith with 4,052 votes or 21.15%. Aredell Roundtree received 2,941 votes or 15.35% and Lenita Gipson received 2,864% or 14.95%.
Each of the new board members said they are excited to win and are looking forward to the work ahead.
Leonard, who had a room full of supporters at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, said she was “very humbled and very grateful” by the outcome and told friends and family it was because of them and their efforts that she won the seat.
“I’m an educator and I’m really passionate about making sure that all students have a good public education,” she said. “As an educator I want to give back to my own community … and to all the kids.”
O’Quin, whose twin daughters are students at H-F, said she ran “to really ensure excellence at H-F,” with special attention for special education and bilingual education to make certain those students get a quality education..
“I am really ready. I’m excited about the work ahead,” O’Quin said.
Smith is “eager to learn and bring my skillset to the board” and said she appreciates the trust voters gave her.
“I know it’s going to be a lot of work. I’m going to get acclimated with the responsibility and continue to bring great ideas and perspectives” to the board.
Leonard, O’Quin and Smith were endorsed by the Homewood-Flossmoor Education Organization, the teachers’ union at H-F. Smith said that helped get their names before the voters, but added that she was glad to know each of the candidates because each had a unique perspective.
“I’m just happy to run alongside them,” Smith said.