Yabsra "Yabby" Maelaf '23 Leads with Authenticity

Yabsra "Yabby" Maelaf '23 has been on the rise from the moment she joined Potomac seven years ago. Ms. Hyde, Intermediate School administrative assistant, remembers overhearing some of Yabby’s peers say, “Yabby, you will be our class president our senior year,” and Yabby has achieved even bigger things than that, becoming student body president for academic year 2022-23. Though one may assume that she was destined for leadership and that the path was paved for her, Yabby spoke at the opening assembly about perseverance and not giving up when faced with challenges. There were moments when she could have given up and accepted the no’s along the way, but she picked herself up and made the decision to keep trying, to be vulnerable, until her peers ultimately chose her to lead Potomac's student body. Yabby shares, "I never went into an election thinking 100% I would be elected. I just tried to put my best foot forward each time."

Whether she is representing the student body, in the classroom, or leading affinity spaces, Yabby shows up with authenticity and takes the responsibility of leadership seriously. Jake Westermann, US director of student life, says, “In the SGA realm, Yabby is not only the student body president, but she’s also my de facto chief of staff. She keeps their initiatives on the top of my priority list and ensures I know what is on the mind of the students.” This is no surprise because Yabby is employing what she learned in previous experiences of leadership. She says, "One thing I learned as an 11th-grade representative was that the president is the chugging engine of the student government. It is up to the president to decide how much Student Government achieves, and I want to make sure our ideas make it to the appropriate admin to keep us going."

Yabby balances this focus on priorities with generosity of spirit and good cheer, and she is always trying to bring people together. She reflects, "I genuinely enjoy spending a lot of time with the student body across grade levels. I can usually learn something new about the school just by talking to others, and I love being connected with as many parts of the community as possible." Robert von Glahn, US history teacher and grade 12 dean, shares, “Though I have had the pleasure of working with Yabby as the grade dean, I know Yabby best from time with her in class as a junior. She brought calm, curiosity, and mutual respect, and is a model collaborator who helps her group move forward in an inclusive manner.” 

It is no wonder that her peers voted her in as student body president and respect her leadership. Yabby welcomes new people as if she has known them for years, she asks how others are doing then genuinely listens, she offers help at every turn, and she steps up when the going gets tough. Her smile lights up a room, and her presence puts others at ease. As she continues to make a positive difference for all at Potomac in her senior year, Potomac celebrates Yabby’s contributions to better her community.