A rising senior at Potomac Senior High School is about to become one of the most important new voices covering Northern Virginia schools this fall.
Saniaa Purdie joins Potomac Local News as a student intern and will report on both the Prince William County School Board and the Stafford County School Board. In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, host Uriah Kiser sits down with Saniaa to introduce her to the community, talk about the stories she’s already covering, and look ahead to the challenges facing local schools.
Enrollment is declining in both Prince William and Stafford for the first time in a generation. Prince William canceled plans for a 14th high school and closed Potomac View Elementary. Stafford opened three new schools this year yet is still seeing the same downward trend. Saniaa, who lives it every day as a student, explains why she wants to ensure families and taxpayers understand what’s really happening within the system.
She also recently covered a community meeting about a proposed massive dock at George Mason University’s Potomac Science Center on Belmont Bay in Woodbridge. Locals pushed back on the plan’s size and impact. Read her full report here: https://www.potomaclocal.com/2026/08/20/pier-pressure-locals-push-back-on-gmus-massive-belmont-bay-dock-plan/
Saniaa is president of Families for Families at her school, is active in FBLA, is a varsity volleyball captain, and is already planning to major in political science with eyes on Spelman College. She says her goal is simple: give a voice to people who feel theirs isn’t being heard.
Watch the full conversation and get to know the newest member of the Potomac Local team.
If you have news tips for Saniaa, email [email protected].
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