Way to Go: Danielle Ragin

Danielle Ragin is a winner for promoting the importance of constitutional knowledge. The junior at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School recently won top honors in the high school division of the public service announcement category of We the People 9*17, a contest coordinated by the nonprofit Constituting America. The contest asked kids to create songs, films or writings inspired by the U.S. Constitution.

Ragin made a minute-long public service announcement that explained the rights of U.S. citizens and their importance.

"I spoke to various community members and had them comment on those rights they felt strongly about," said Ragin, 16. "I felt that in order for people to recognize the importance of our Constitution, they must have knowledge of the rights it gives us and how different our lives would be without them."

Ragin was honored with 13 other national winners earlier this month at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. She also received a $1,000 scholarship.

At her school, Ragin is vice president of the junior class and plays varsity soccer and lacrosse. She is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, the Spanish Honor Society and Distributive Education Clubs of America.