Prestigious national scholarship awarded to only 750 students from nearly 50,000 applicants.
Fairfield, CA (March 22, 2025) - Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is proud to announce that Fairfield High School senior – Kristian Baisac – has been named a 2025 Gates Scholar, one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarship award programs in the nation. Kristian is one of only 750 students selected nationally from nearly 50,000 applicants for the highly selective program, which provides full college funding for undergraduates.
But Kristian’s story is about more than academic excellence—it's a powerful journey of resilience, self-advocacy, and growth.
Early in her educational journey, Kristian made a bold decision that set the foundation for her success. As a middle school student, she recognized that her traditional school environment was not a good fit. With insight well beyond her years, she transitioned to the California Virtual Academy, where she spent the second half of 7th grade and all of 8th and 9th grade learning online. During this time, she not only thrived academically but also explored new creative outlets—like self-teaching piano, rebranding a YouTube channel she started in third grade, and launching a new YouTube channel as well.
“I realized I needed more time for myself, to be physically away from the school environment. It wasn’t right for me at that time," Kristian said, reflecting on her decision to go online.
In 10th grade, Kristian chose to return to in-person learning at Fairfield High School, ready to re-engage socially and redefine success on her own terms. With a growing sense of confidence and a new growth mindset, she embraced unfamiliar challenges throughout her high school career—joining the theater program and the cross-country team at the start of her junior year, and stepping into the spotlight as a spoken word poet during her senior year. She placed first in Solano County’s “Poetry Out Loud” competition and went on to represent the region at the California state finals.
“Online school helped me find myself,” Kristian shared. “But coming back to campus helped me grow into the person I wanted to become.”
Her thoughtful journey and passion for well-being shone through in every part of her Gates Scholarship application, from her essays to her glowing recommendation from Fairfield High teacher Shari Patterson, who highlighted Kristian’s integrity, creativity, and dedication to community.
“This is a student who has found her voice,” said Shari Patterson. “Kristian’s pathway isn’t just about academics—it’s a story of emotional intelligence, reflection, and purpose. She inspires those around her, not just through her achievements, but through her compassion, leadership, and courage to grow.”
“Kristian represents the very best of what our students are capable of when we support the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Superintendent Jennifer Sachs. “We were pleased to recognize her at the recent Board of Education meeting and Highest Honors Ceremony, and know she will continue to make a meaningful impact in the world.”
Kristian’s emotional college acceptance reaction video, which she posted to YouTube, also gained attention—winning her additional scholarship funding. In the video, her sheer joy at being accepted to multiple top colleges is a testament to the power of perseverance. She has officially committed to the University of Richmond, where she will study in an environment that values academic rigor and strong mental health support. She remains waitlisted at Dartmouth College, her dream school.