High school senior Alex DaSilva, along with his AP government classmates and teacher Craig Brown, attended Hofstra University’s seventh annual High School Student Symposium and Essay Contest in March, and DaSilva won the ensuing essay contest.

The symposium, co-sponsored by the School of Education and the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, featured speakers Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and presidential candidate, and Edward J. Rollins, former campaign director for Pres. Ronald Reagan. The event provides high school students and teachers with a view of presidential leadership from the perspective of two seasoned political analysts, and invites the conversations about relevant topics.

In recognition of his winning essay, DaSilva was given an award and was invited, accompanied by Brown, to attend a discussion at Hofstra featuring Dean and Rollins, titled “What Do the First 100 Days Teach About the Trump Presidency?” DaSilva was given the opportunity to meet and speak with both Dean and Rollins.