School: Renaissance High School
Location: Bronx, NY
Description:
Christina Johnson is a senior at Renaissance High School in the Bronx. During her sophomore year, her best friend was hit by a car in front of Lehman/Renaissance High School Campus, home to over 5,000 students. Christina knew that this intersection at the corner of East Tremont and Hutchinson River Parkway Service Road was dangerous, and after crossing it times in fear, she decided to fight City Hall, tackle the NYC Department of Transportation and get a traffic light put up in front of the school. Even though she was initially shot down by the Community Board, Christina did not give up. She started a petition enlisting the help of student government, parents, and principals. She wrote to political leaders, like Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, and Betsy Gotbaum, for support. They not only embraced her, but wrote additional letters of support.
After over a year of fighting for a safer corner, the Department of Transportation sent a letter to Christina that a traffic light would be installed in August 2008. Her hard work and unstoppable attitude enabled her to achieve this goal and provide safety to thousands of students.
In addition to being a role model in her community, Christina is also an entrepreneur and the co-founder and executive director of Bring it On!, a youth-run organization in the Northeast Bronx that provides service learning projects like environmental cleanups, community day, "You Go Girl" empowerment forums and Get Active, Get Healthy health forums. She also organizes a Young Women's Day Health and Fitness Expo in the Bronx and is committed to combating childhood obesity by having fitness and nutrition classes and a one day Childhood Awareness event in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.
Christina is truly an amazing girl who is destined to continue to make great things happen far beyond the confines of her high school.
<< Back to Main Page!
