Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) congratulates the seven high school seniors chosen by their respective schools to represent specific pillars of leadership: Caring, Citizenship, Courage, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Trustworthiness. The Superintendent’s Character Trait Award winners were recognized at the April 21 Board of Education meeting, where they received commemorative certificates.

“The character of these students is not defined by a single achievement, but by the consistent choices they make every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith. “While we recognize these individuals, they represent just a small sample of the many outstanding students across our district. They are leaders in their schools and in our community, reminding us that character truly matters and that our future is in capable hands.”

Join us in congratulating Costa Mesa High School's 2026 Superintendent’s Character Trait Award winner:

Fairness: Christianna Todd

Christianna Todd is known for ensuring that everyone around her feels respected, included, and valued. She brings a deep sense of empathy to her interactions and consistently stands up for equal treatment of others.

On campus, Christianna builds genuine connections across diverse groups of students, intentionally engaging peers from different backgrounds and fostering inclusive conversations. 

On the tennis court, she competes with integrity, demonstrating sportsmanship in both victory and defeat. Her commitment to fairness was previously recognized when she received her team’s Coach’s Award for her positive, inclusive impact.

Through her three-year commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters, she actively promotes fairness by supporting and advocating for others. Every Tuesday, without fail, Christianna meets with her “little sister,” modeling reliability, patience, and encouragement. She reflects thoughtfully on how this long-term mentorship has required her to listen deeply, remain consistent, and ensure her mentee feels heard and supported.

Christianna has applied to several four-year universities and plans to study business management to contribute to her family’s restaurant business in the future.

Together, the seven Superintendent’s Character Trait Award winners reflect the values that define Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Through their actions, both large and small, they demonstrate how character, leadership, and compassion shape strong school communities. NMUSD is proud to recognize these outstanding seniors and celebrate the positive example they set for younger students across the district.