Central H.S. senior's essay wins recognition

A Central High School senior was recognized at Hofstra University’s fourth annual symposium for area high school students on March 6, hosted by former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean and Ronald Reagan’s campaign strategist, Ed Rollins.

Amanda Johnson was recognized for an essay she wrote in response to one of three questions posed to students in Central High School’s advanced placement government and politics classes.

Johnson responded to the question, “What are the costs and benefits of President Barack Obama’s decision to pursue immigration reform by executive order, and how can he make progress with Congress on this issue in 2015?”

She was one of five students representing schools from Nassau and Suffolk Counties and New York City who received the distinction. She and 24 other Central High School students attended the symposium, which promote civic engagement and collaboration with local colleges and universities.

The event included a question and answer session about presidential leadership with Dean and Rollins, who are both senior presidential scholars at the university. The symposium was co-sponsored by Hofstra's School of Education and the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of American Presidency.