A group of remarkable charter high school graduates—who have overcome adversity, given back to their communities, and are now headed to college—received the 2025 Susan Steelman Bragato Scholarship from CCSA this year.

This year’s scholarship recipients attend charter public schools across California and reflect the incredible diversity of the Golden State, with students tracing their roots to countries including Eritrea, Iran, Mexico, and the Philippines. Each scholar is driven by a desire to make a difference — whether in business, art, or healthcare. Notably, most of the recipients plan to major in healthcare-related fields as they begin their post-secondary journeys.

“The 2025 Bragato Scholarship recipients embody the academic success that charter public schools bring to K-12 education in California, helping produce the next generation of experts, skilled workers, and changemakers,” said Myrna Castrejón, CCSA President and CEO. “These scholars are on a mission to heal and uplift communities, and the state’s charter school movement stands proudly behind these amazing young people who hold the key to a brighter, more compassionate future for all of us.”

A recent CCSA study shows that California charter public schools — both classroom- and flex-based models — are sending significantly more socioeconomically disadvantaged, Latino, and Black students to UCs and CSUs compared to the statewide public school average.

Each 2025 Bragato Scholarship recipient will receive $2,000 to help offset the cost of their first year of college.

The scholarship is named after Susan Steelman Bragato, co-founder of California’s first charter public school and founder of the California Network of Educational Charters, the precursor to CCSA. Her legacy lives on through this impactful scholarship program.

Please join CCSA in congratulating these inspiring young people:

Jennie Gam

School: Larchmont Charter School (Los Angeles)

Jennie Gam is a bilingual scholar and aspiring dentist committed to culturally competent care and community service. From early mission trips with her family to independent service work in Laos and Argentina, Jennie’s global perspective fuels her passion for connection across cultures. She co-founded the Larchmont Babysitting Network to support working families and led CPR-certified training rooted in child development and public health. Her published research explores how cultural values shape dental care, reinforcing her goal of improving outcomes for diverse communities. Jennie plans to major in Health Science and Human Biology at the University of Southern California on the pre-dental track, blending science, empathy, and advocacy in her future career.

Milagro Galdamez

School: Birmingham Community Charter High School (Los Angeles)

A proud first-generation student and community advocate, Milagro Galdamez is passionate about breaking educational and healthcare barriers for underserved Hispanic communities. At her high school, she led research on the systemic challenges facing first-gen college students and served as a peer counselor to guide others on their college journeys. A dedicated volunteer with over 65 hours of service, Milagro has supported everything from blood drives to back-to-school events. Her goal is to become a dentist and open an affordable clinic that prioritizes education and dignity in dental care. She plans to major in Physiology with a minor in Business, blending science and entrepreneurship to expand access to oral health.

Titus Gluck

School: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (Sacramento)

Titus Gluck is a passionate artist, musician, and leader driven by creativity and compassion. Raised in a vibrant household full of music and art, he discovered his calling in graphic design and bass guitar. As founder and president of his school’s Christian Club, Titus fostered community through kindness campaigns and inclusive gatherings. He plans to major in Graphic Design at Point Loma Nazarene University, where he will combine his creativity, and technical training to design for mission-driven organizations. Titus is committed to using art as a force for good—building community, spreading hope, and elevating others.

Annette Jones

School: Birmingham Community Charter High School (Los Angeles)

Annette Jones is a passionate advocate, mentor, and future healthcare professional committed to uplifting underserved communities. As a bisexual Latina and first-generation college student, she’s challenged limiting beliefs around education and identity through leadership in Link Crew, Knights and Ladies, and as a College Peer Counselor. Annette has mentored younger students, organized wellness events, and helped peers overcome self-doubt in the college process. Her lived experiences have shaped her desire to enter the medical field, where she aims to champion both physical and emotional care for all patients. Annette plans to attend UC Berkeley and pursue a healthcare-related major and create inclusive environments where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered.

Giselle Merida

School: Granada Hills Charter High School (Los Angeles)

Rooted in a tight-knit, hardworking family, Giselle Merida is a future business leader who believes deeply in kindness, gratitude, and giving back. Inspired by her parents’ resilience and her siblings’ strength, she plans to study business at San Diego State University with the goal of one day creating something meaningful that uplifts others. At school, Giselle led a student appreciation effort for custodial staff, a reflection of her belief that no act of kindness is too small. Whether through business or community service, she’s driven to make a difference—building success not just for herself, but for the people around her.

Reihannah Raoufi

School: Leadership Public Schools (Hayward)

A proud student of Leadership Public School Hayward, Reihannah Raoufi is a scholar-athlete, community leader, and aspiring cardiologist. Rooted in her Filipino and Iranian heritage, she draws inspiration from her resilient Hayward community and her family’s sacrifices. Reihannah has served as President of Athletics, captain of multiple sports teams, and founder of the school’s Wellness Warriors club, promoting health and inclusion. After losing a loved one to an aneurysm, she committed to a future in medicine. Her experience at the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program deepened her resolve to serve underserved communities through preventative care and compassionate leadership. Reihannah plans to study Human Biology or Neuroscience on the pre-med track and is driven by a mission to heal, lead, and uplift.

Sador Rusom

School: The O’Farrell Charter School (San Diego)

Sador Rusom is a first-generation Eritrean American and aspiring computer engineer passionate about using technology for global good. His extended visits to Eritrea, a small country in northeast Africa on the Red Sea coast, opened his eyes to challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, inspiring him to create affordable solutions for underserved communities. Sador led neighborhood clean-up efforts in Eritrea, mobilizing residents to build environmental awareness and community pride. He also pursued coding and language study while teaching peers, bridging cultural and educational divides. With a deep love for math and science, Sador plans to major in Computer Engineering, developing tools that improve lives and expand access in regions too often overlooked.

Nicole Tang

School: Gorman Learning Center (San Bernardino/Santa Clarita)

Nicole Tang is a compassionate leader, caregiver, and aspiring entrepreneur rooted in service and resilience. A dedicated church volunteer, she supports children with special needs—all while maintaining top academic performance and launching her own Etsy macramé business. Her experience helping care for her twin sister with a chronic pain condition has shaped her into a patient, resourceful advocate with a deep sense of empathy. Nicole plans to pursue a business degree to expand her creative ventures and ultimately give back to the community that shaped her, blending faith, leadership, and enterprise in her journey ahead.

Lizzeth Vital

School: Ánimo Leadership Charter High School - GreenDot (Los Angeles)

A proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, Lizzeth Vital is a bilingual scholar and aspiring neuroscientist from a tight-knit community in Inglewood. Balancing leadership at home and in school, she’s translated for her parents, mentored young students, and pursued research on neurodegenerative diseases through programs like Curious Cardinals. Her academic path, shaped by AP science courses and a passion for medicine, reflects her commitment to breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. Lizzeth plans to attend Cornell University and study neuroscience and medicine to help unlock the brain’s mysteries and improve care for marginalized communities. For her, education isn’t just a path—it’s a promise to uplift others.

Want to learn more about the Susan Steelman Bragato Scholarship?

Visit our scholarship page for eligibility details, application instructions, and key deadlines. We strongly encourage students of all backgrounds—including English learners, non-citizens, LGBTQIA+ students, and students of color—to apply. Please note: Applicants must attend a charter school that is an active CCSA member.