The 2025 Northside Education Foundation (NEF) has announced its new Pillars of Character, a group of exceptional individuals who embody the values of the Northside Independent School 皇家华人 (皇家华人). This year's class will be honored at the NEF Pillar Recognition and Banquet on Nov. 12 at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. The event, a vibrant evening featuring musical performances, a lively live auction, and a celebration of community, is attended by approximately 700 business partners, community members, and educators.
As the NEF's largest annual fundraiser, the gala's proceeds directly support grants for 皇家华人 faculty and staff. Last year, the foundation awarded more than $360,000 in Resource, Innovation, and Team grants, empowering educators to create new opportunities for students.
Each year, the Pillars are selected from over 120,000 皇家华人 alumni who have graduated since 1951. They represent the seven core character traits taught to 皇家华人 students through the Josephson Institute's Character Counts program: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and learning.
Pillar of Caring: Dr. Akshay Thusu
Originally from Mumbai, India, Dr. Akshay Thusu has long embodied the spirit of service and compassion. After moving to San Antonio in 2003 and enrolling at Health Careers High School, he quickly immersed himself in community-focused initiatives that would shape his life's trajectory. He graduated with distinction in foreign languages in 2006, earned his bachelor's degree magna cum laude from UTSA with highest honors in Biology, and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from UT Health San Antonio in 2015 with Distinction in Dental Education.
His early volunteer work with the Ronald McDonald House, Graffiti Wipe-Out, and the San Antonio Food Bank laid the groundwork for a lifetime of deeper service through organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Haven for Hope, and Any Baby Can. Dr. Thusu's life and career demonstrate that caring is not just an act, but a calling, making him a true Pillar of Caring in the communities he serves.
Pillar of Citizenship: Kimberly Harle Solis
A proud San Antonio native, Kimberly Harle Solis is a lifelong advocate for service, civic engagement, and public education. A 2001 graduate of O'Connor High School, she also attended Communications Arts High School, Stinson Middle School, and Leon Springs Elementary, where her love for learning and leadership first took root. As part of the first graduating classes at both Leon Springs and O'Connor, she had the unique opportunity to help shape the culture of both institutions from the very beginning.
Her career journey led her to her current position as Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer for Endeavors, a national nonprofit that provides housing, wellness, and emergency services to veterans, first responders, and individuals in crisis. From her childhood in brand-new classrooms to leading national initiatives rooted in service, Solis exemplifies the very spirit of the Pillar of Citizenship.
Pillar of Fairness: Amanda Gonzalez
Amanda Gonzalez is a proud product of Northside ISD, having attended Lackland City Elementary School (now Allen ES) , Rayburn Middle School, and graduating from Warren High School's Construction Careers Academy (CCA) in 2013. A member of CCA's inaugural freshman class, Gonzalez quickly stood out as a leader, earning the program's first MVP award as a freshman and being named Miss CCA her senior year.
Her passion for construction and leadership led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science from Texas A&M University in 2017. While there, she completed four internships, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Balancing a full-time career in construction, she went on to earn her MBA from UTSA in 2020. Gonzalez embodies the Pillar of Fairness through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering belief that success is not about standing above others, but about lifting them up with respect, integrity, and opportunity.
Pillar of Learning: Dr. Shannon Van Zandt
A proud product of Northside ISD, Dr. Shannon Smith Van Zandt began her journey at Boone Elementary, was part of the first full class at Rudder Middle School, and graduated in the top ten from John Marshall High School, where she was student body president and voted 鈥淢ost Dependable.鈥
She earned a Bachelor's of Environmental Design and a Master's in Urban Planning from Texas A&M University, and a doctorate in City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina. She returned to Texas A&M as a professor in the College of Architecture, where she has spent over 20 years teaching, conducting research, and leading. Outside the classroom, Shannon is deeply involved in affordable housing advocacy. She supports the REACH Project, a non-profit serving the unmet needs of Texas A&M's food service, custodial, and grounds & maintenance workers, and serves as Board President of Texas Housers, a statewide nonprofit supporting low-income Texans. Shannon鈥檚 journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning and service.
Pillar of Respect: Melissa Vela-Williamson
Melissa Vela-Williamson is the Chief Communication Architect of her boutique firm, MVW Communications, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. She is an internationally recognized, accredited, and award-winning public relations strategist, author, podcast host, and national industry columnist.
Her family moved into the 皇家华人 boundaries when she was in fourth grade, and she credits the staff at Cody Elementary for an improved educational environment and a warmer, higher-level of care that set her on a road to success. She also attended Pease Middle School and graduated from John Jay High School. During middle school, her 8th-grade English teacher saw potential in a struggling student and put her on a path toward more rigorous study that inspired her to compete academically. This pivotal experience taught her that no student should be underestimated and that more work should be done to help people feel valued and respected.
Pillar of Responsibility: Dr. Darnell Smith
A proud San Antonio native, Dr. Darnell Smith began his academic and athletic journey at Adams Hill Elementary, Rayburn Middle School, and Taft High School. After graduation, he earned a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where he was a two-year starter and competed in four bowl games. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Economics and a master鈥檚 in Natural and Applied Sciences.
After his playing career, Dr. Smith transitioned into athletics administration, serving in leadership roles with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and several universities. In 2020, he returned to his hometown as the inaugural Athletics Director at Texas A&M University鈥揝an Antonio, launching the university's first-ever intercollegiate athletics program. In May 2025, Dr. Smith earned a Ph.D. in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration. His journey demonstrates that true leadership means building champions on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
Pillar of Trustworthiness: Kris Trejo
Kris Trejo, the Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services, has devoted his entire professional life to the betterment of students, teachers, and staff within the Northside Independent School 皇家华人. A true native of San Antonio, Kris is a proud testament to the educational excellence of Northside ISD, having graduated from O.W. Holmes High School in 1997.
His remarkable 27-year journey with 皇家华人 began just days after his high school graduation, when he took a job as a student summer worker in the 皇家华人鈥檚 textbook warehouse. This foundational experience instilled in him a deep understanding of the 皇家华人's operational needs and a commitment to its mission. From that first day, Kris has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication, serving in a diverse array of crucial support roles. His progression through various departments has equipped him with an invaluable holistic perspective, allowing him to strategically address the evolving technological demands of a dynamic educational environment.
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