State Board of Education Celebrates 2025 Student Heroes
AUSTIN, Texas – July 16, 2025 – The State Board of Education (SBOE) recognizes the 2025 Student Heroes, an inspiring group of Texas public school students who demonstrate exceptional character, kindness and service to others. These students have engaged in numerous acts of service, from supporting students with disabilities and volunteering at community supply drives, to mentoring younger students and launching nonprofits focused on mental wellness. These students have shown remarkable compassion and leadership in their respective communities.
“We are privileged to have exceptional students who have chosen to leave a lasting impact on their schools and communities,” said SBOE Chairman, Aaron Kinsey. “Their efforts reflect the very best of Texas’ next generation of leaders and remind us of all of the power of selfless service.”
The SBOE adopted a resolution in their honor during the June general meeting.
Learn more about the 2025 recipients below:
Sebastian Garcia: A senior at Franklin High School in the El Paso Independent School District (ISD), Sebastian has worked in the medical field through his Pathways in Technology Early College (P-TECH) courses, bringing awareness to the importance of community service and compassion.
Jerry Chien: A junior at Taft High School in Taft ISD, Jerry has volunteered over 300 hours as a junior firefighter with the Taft Volunteer Fire Department, actively giving back to his community through his service as a first responder.
Emma Saenz: A junior at John Jay Science and Engineering Academy in Northside ISD, Emma plays a vital role in Northside Rocks, an event that exposes over 800 students to professional musicians. Beyond music, Emma founded a service club that leads projects such as donation drives, community health fairs and school garden initiatives.
Mackenzie Sneed: A 4th grader at Kipp Legacy Preparatory, Mackenzie takes pride in being a leader by creating a path that inspires and motivates others. From reading books to Little Kippster's, to creating a healthier planet for the future, she is working hard to make the world a better place.
Samuelle Pierce Jr.: A senior at NYOS Charter School, Samuelle founded the Midday Mixer Project, an initiative that fosters social engagement and helps students build meaningful connections. Samuelle is an active member of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) and works alongside his peers to maintain the “Dignity Locker,” ensuring that students in need have access to essential hygiene products and clothing.
Vivian Liu: A sophomore at James E. Taylor High School in Katy ISD, Vivan is a passionate changemaker and co-founder of Origami for Good, a global nonprofit dedicated to spreading joy and supporting mental wellness through the art of origami. Her nonprofit organization has expanded to more than 170 chapters across 14 countries, inspiring thousands of volunteers to distribute over 820,000 origami pieces to hospitals, nursing homes and military centers. Her TEDx talk led to official recognition from the City of Houston.
Addison Landry: A 7th grader at Bridge City Middle School in Bridge City ISD, Addison is a passionate volunteer, contributing her time to Vacation Bible School, Children's Church, Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen and fundraising events for cancer research. Her dedication to leadership and service makes her a true role model for her peers.
Scarlett Burket: A senior at Splendora High School in Splendora ISD, Scarlett has dedicated over 200 hours of her time to photographing school events, including sporting events and senior portraits for her classmates — completely free of charge. She travels with sports teams to capture moments and print photos for keepsakes, ensuring her peers can have lasting memories regardless of financial ability.
Kairi Bruck: A junior at Hudson High School in Hudson ISD, Kairi founded ADHDed Values to amplify the voice of twice-exceptional students and provide support and inspiration to neurodivergent students. She documents her work through social media and national conferences, reaching an audience of over 10,000 people.
Kelsey Brinkley: A junior at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock ISD, Kelsey founded and launched the nonprofit initiative "My Positive Body” to support teens and pre-teens experiencing body image issues.
Daniel Thomas: A junior at Colleyville Heritage High School in Grapevine Colleyville ISD, Daniel has been recognized as a young changemaker through the launch of LitterScout, an impactful initiative that has removed over 42,000 pounds of trash from waterways, parks and public areas.
Dailey Poland: A senior at McKinney North High School in McKinney ISD, Dailey has shown unwavering dedication to serving students of all abilities through his work with HALOS, an all-abilities softball league. Dailey partners with and mentors athletes who face physical and developmental challenges to help them shine.
Aron Handsome: A freshman at DeSoto Early College High School in DeSoto ISD, Aron has served as a camp mentor at Camp Sweeny, guiding and inspiring children with diabetes through encouragement, empathy and leadership. Aron also volunteers with community food drives to help provide essential resources to families in need.
Liyah Cha: A junior at Argyle High School in Argyle ISD, Liyah founded DearJuvie, a nonprofit created to bridge the gap between resources and the people who need them most. DearJuvie became a court-approved community service site, helping teens move forward and change the course of their lives for the better.
Bradley Lancaster: A senior at West Plains High School in Canyon ISD, Bradley embodies the word volunteer and represents the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Bradley serves as the National Teen Kindness board member for the Be A Friend Project, serves people experiencing homelessness through Faith City Mission and volunteers with Night to Shine, an event benefiting students with special needs.
To learn more about the Student Heroes Award and view past recipients, visit the State Board of Education’s webpage at sboe.texas.gov/state-board-of-education/sboe-awards/student-heroes-award.
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