Sheree Lynnea Sample-Hughes, age 29, was elected to her first term as County Councilwoman representing District 1 in November 2006. She is the first African American female and youngest member of the Wicomico County Council. She is a vibrant young woman who is a leader within her community, state and nation. She graduated from Parkside High School in 1995. Furthering her education, she enrolled in Delaware State University and graduated in 1999 with a B.A. Degree in Public Relations. She is married to Desmond Hughes and they are the proud parents of Jordan and Noah. After completing college, Sample-Hughes accepted a position with Pocomoke City hall in Pocomoke City, MD, as the Section 8 administrator/project coordinator. She was instrumental in acquiring several grants for the city. Her responsibilities included: monitoring and overseeing capital projects and the disbursement of Section 8 funds. Shortly after that, she embarked upon a journey to the “city.” She was hired as the special events coordinator with the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism based in Baltimore, MD. She traveled statewide coordinating and promoting volunteer service. She spear headed the Governor’s Volunteer and Service Awards event held annually in the month of April. Among other responsibilities, she coordinated the Governor’s Volunteer and Service Day at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, the AmeriCorps Launch and Life after AmeriCorps. She returned home to the Eastern Shore in April 2002, working diligently with the Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children (Local Management Board). She served as the Community Program Coordinator of two pulsating initiatives, the Westside CSAFE II and After School Programs. In July of 2006 she completed her second consecutive term as president of the Spirit of Democracy American Legion Auxiliary Unit #145 and is now serving the southeastern shore district as the American Legion Auxiliary Junior Activities representative. In addition, she is an active member of the following organizations: Wicomico County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P., Delta Sigma Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center, Wicomico County Democratic Club, a mentor with the Wicomico County Mentoring Partnership and a commissioned notary. On December 5, 2006, Sample-Hughes was sworn in as the first African American female and youngest member of the Wicomico County Council serving District One. As a result of her council position, she now serves on the following boards: Wicomico County Free Library, Wicomico County Department of Social Services, Shore Up! Incorporated and the Tri-County Council. She pledges to serve her constituency with honesty, understanding, graciousness, hardworking spirit, energy and sincerity. She has embraced a personal philosophy that inspires her every day “focus, follow and fulfill your dreams.”