The 2025 Superintendent's 21st Century Award Winners

Charlize brings passion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service as she embodies the values of perseverance, academic excellence, and cultural pride that align with the mission of the 2025 Superintendent's 21st Century Awards.

Charlize is one of only five restorative peer mediators at Balboa, a role that requires exceptional communication, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills. She has helped numerous students navigate challenges, repair friendships, and build a stronger, more inclusive school environment. Additionally, she mentors 9th and 10th graders identified as needing extra support, offering them encouragement and guidance. “She is the person who holds it all together, who is loyal, who supports people who need help, and who pushes people to be better versions of themselves both directly and indirectly,” said an English Teacher.

She volunteered at a local food pantry, is vice president of the Adopt a Hospital Club, played basketball, danced, and has spent summers at prestigious college programs. She wants to serve as a role model for other women like herself who strive to break barriers in male-dominated fields, paving the way for future generations of women in sports business.

As she prepares to graduate and embark as a first-generation college student, she’s grateful for the experiences that have shaped her into who she is today. Charlize recognizes that whether it’s leading school events, advocating for others, or pursuing her passion for business and media, “SFUSD has prepared me to step into the next chapter of my life with purpose, resilience, and determination. I am ready to continue learning, growing, and breaking barriers, both in business and beyond,” she said.

Da’Liah has spent her entire educational career with SFUSD, starting at Hillcrest Elementary, moving to Aptos Middle School, and is soon to be graduating from Mission High School.  “A star student in the Public Health Pathway, Da'Liah excels in her academic work while also being a beacon of positivity and support for others. She is particularly passionate about the intersection of health equity, social justice, and community organizing, and her academic interests reflect a deep desire to make tangible improvements in the lives of underserved communities,” her mentor said.

While interning at Bridge HIV for the Department of Public Health (DPH), she worked alongside the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for health equity and combat stigma. This experience heightened her awareness of the systemic inequities that impact marginalized communities — predominantly Black, trans, queer, and people of color. A 16-week dual-enrollment course at City College of San Francisco emphasized the importance of advocacy and reforming legal intervention. These lessons solidified Da’Liah’s future plan. She clearly knows what she wants: “To become a lawyer, using my legal career to fight for civil rights, protect marginalized communities, and amplify the voices of those who have experienced violence. The ability to understand and advocate for others, especially those who are vulnerable, is one of the most important values I hold in my life.” she said.

“Da'Liah is a young woman who is not only poised to make a difference in the world but is already making that difference today,” said Mission High’s Health Teacher & LGBTQIA+Student Liaison.

RJay’s story is one of persistence and self-motivation. He has taken charge of his education, recognizing early on that his future depends on the steps he takes in the present. Creativity is at the core of RJay’s success. He does not just accept challenges; he finds unique ways to overcome them. RJay thrives on thinking outside of the box. His vision for his future is not just about personal success but about creating lasting change for his family and community. He understands that every decision he makes shapes not just his path but the opportunities available to those who come after him.

RJay has a passion for basketball, which keeps him disciplined both mentally and physically, He writes and produces music for the group Family Tree and works to support his family while keeping up his rigorous academic schedule. He plans to pursue a career in Construction Management, an excellent fit for his rapid decision-making skills.

“There were moments when struggles made my dreams feel out of reach, but instead of letting them hold me back, I used them as motivation. I looked for opportunities to grow, whether through academics, extracurricular activities, or work. I took on leadership roles and engaged in my community, knowing that every step forward mattered. I also encouraged my friends to take charge of their futures as we approached adulthood. I realized that the decisions we made now would shape our futures. My journey has been one of resilience, determination, and an unshakable belief that I can shape my future,” RJay writes.

“Andres is a natural leader with a unique ability to support his peers. Even as one of the top students in class, he is always ready to assist others, offering guidance with patience and empathy,” Audrey Sheehy, Andres’s 9th and 10th grade advisor, said. International High School places a strong emphasis on collaboration, and Andres embraced this idea wholeheartedly. He encouraged students from diverse backgrounds to join the basketball team, helping them overcome their fears and gain confidence, which ultimately brought them joy. These experiences taught him the importance of inclusivity and how even small actions can make a significant impact on someone's life.

As a leader at the Community Youth Center, Andres tutored students, overcame his fear of public speaking to communicate important information, and took the initiative to welcome and support new students, ensuring they felt included and comfortable in their new environment. Since arriving in the U.S. only three years ago, Andres has shown exceptional resilience and determination, overcoming many obstacles to succeed academically and personally while always looking for opportunities to help others.

He developed a passion for kinesiology during his SFUSD internships. Andres was one of only 10 students from International High School selected to participate in the Mission Bay Hub program. “The field of kinesiology aligns with my desire to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. I believe that physical health is deeply connected to emotional and mental well-being. One day, I hope to provide care for individuals with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds who suffer from chronic pain. I want to share my love and happiness with those in need,” Andres said.

Kay arrived in San Francisco from Vietnam five years ago, barely understanding English. Now, he’s a confident speaker, captain of Galileo’s tennis team, senior class treasurer, a teaching assistant, and has his choice of universities to attend as a STEM major.

As the senior class treasurer, he analyzes past spending patterns, forecasts future needs, sets goals, and manages school event budgets. In his role as tennis captain, he used data analysis to track team performance, review match statistics, and develop strategies that helped the team improve over time. His ability to combine leadership with strategic thinking led to consecutive MVP titles and elevated the entire team’s performance.

As the Teaching Assistant for a multi-language learner Algebra class, “Every day, he helps any student who needs it. He doesn’t speak their home languages (Arabic, Spanish, Cantonese), but he knows math, and he is the best TA I have ever had. I can count on Kay; he is ready to work every single day, and he is so helpful to the students. I have seen how Kay has chosen to challenge himself time and time again and come out on top and with an enthusiastic ‘what’s next?” said (WHO)

“SFUSD has gradually assisted me in changing and maturing. The SFUSD public school system is a learning environment that is openly, culturally, and linguistically diverse. Being from a variety of nations, students like myself get the chance to experience a wide range of cultures and thought processes, which broadens my perspective on the world,” Kay said.

Mirae came to Independence High School as part of the Counseling-Enriched Classroom program (CEC) that serves academically capable students with more intensive social and emotional disabilities. She immediately set to work taking accelerated courses to rebuild her GPA and build strong connections with peers, teachers, and administrators. The support she received ensured a smooth transition from being socially isolated to being a part of the thriving student body at Independence High.

In addition to her full coursework load and a job, Mirae is also doing Community-based Healthcare Outreach with UCSF. She works with a group of nurses to go into neighborhoods in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood and provide unhoused people with healthcare right there on the street. She helps with vaccines, wound care, and drug treatment support. She works directly with people who need the most help. “She has jumped right into this work, showing her deep well of empathy, action orientation, collaboration, and leadership potential. Mirae is not only a dedicated and capable volunteer but also a person who elevates those around her,” her Outreach supervisor said.

This year, working to overcome a long-standing fear of the English language, she began performing open mic readings, melting away her last fear of words. What she saw previously as weakness and academic disadvantage is now the medium of her art. “My struggle with spelling and reading—once riddled with anxiety—shaped me into the creative I am today. My past is no longer a barrier; it has given me purpose and allowed me to see myself in my purest form. Utilizing my empathy, leadership, and life skills with every action allows me to move closer to my goal: creating positive change in the lives of others,” Mirae says.

“As a small school principal, I have the opportunity to get to know my students deeply, and I occasionally get to see incredible turnaround stories. our community. Mirae represents the best of what SFUSD is all about,” Anastasia Klafter, Independence High School principal, said.