He just graduated from a rural Maine high school. Now he's on the school board.

Nineteen-year-old Damien DuMont made a decision on Election Day that most recent graduates never consider: he ran for his local school board — and won.

DuMont, who had just graduated from a rural Maine high school in Aroostook County, went to the town office to cast his vote when he noticed there were vacant seats on the school board. Rather than walk away, he decided to throw his hat in the ring on the spot. The community elected him, making him one of the youngest school board officials in the state.

His story highlights a persistent challenge in rural America: local government positions often go unfilled because too few residents step forward. In small towns across the country, school boards, town councils, and utility districts regularly operate with empty seats, leaving critical decisions to a handful of volunteers.

DuMont brings a perspective that most board members cannot — the lived experience of a student who recently navigated the very school system he now helps govern. Fresh out of the classroom, he understands firsthand how policies affect curriculum, extracurricular programs, and student well-being.

His election also speaks to a broader movement of young people engaging in local politics. Across the country, a new generation of voters and candidates is showing that civic participation does not require decades of experience — just a willingness to show up.

What This Means For You: Local school boards shape the education your children receive, from what gets taught to how budgets are allocated. If a 19-year-old can spot an open seat and make a difference, so can you. Check your own town or city for vacant positions — your voice might matter more than you think, and your community may be waiting for someone exactly like you to step up.