On July 4, 2025 the West Contra Costa Unified School District unexpectedly lost a much-loved school leader, Christopher Pierce, who most recently was the principal of De Anza High School. Pierce died on July 4, 2025. He was 45.
On Friday night, several hundred students and former students, district staff and elected officials and community members gathered at the high school to celebrate Pierce’s life. There were speeches, a community card attendees could sign and even an upbeat dance session.
He was remembered as a dedicated educator who led with warmth, humor and unwavering dedication to his students.
The atmosphere was heavy and filled with grief, but there was also an overwhelming sense of love and community. The crowd laughed and cried at stories shared by Pierce’s cousin, his former student Hadassa De Melo, who organized the event, and many of his colleagues — some who knew him as a child.
Christopher Pierce: Oct. 26, 1979-July 4, 2025
Pierce joined WCCUSD as a substitute teacher in 2003. He then became a social science teacher at Kennedy High School and worked with the district’s administration team. In 2016, he was appointed vice principal of De Anza and promoted to principal in 2021. He had just stepped into a new role as the principal of Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante.
Hundreds showed up to celebrate Mr. Pierce’s life
Many students have told Richmondside that Pierce was someone who went out of his way to get to know them on a deeper level.
“Mr. Pierce was always someone who would always check in with (his) students, not just as apart of the higher-ups at school, but as himself. He’s always been authentic and a down to earth person and never let his work separate his bond with the students at De Anza,” recent De Anza graduate Brandon Tabingo said. “He’s left a big impact for us and I hope we never forget what he’s done for us.”
Class of 2021 students Alexa Martin, Leilani Thomas and Evelyn Martin said Pierce knew everyone’s names, always had a smile on his face and was the only educator to show up to every single soccer game — girls and boys.
Daisy Vasquez, who graduated from Kennedy High School in 2015, said she knew Pierce as a biology teacher in 2013.
“He actually started as a substitute but we vouched for him to actually become our teacher,” Vasquez told Richmondside. “What made him an amazing teacher was the dedication that he had to push us. He actually wanted to see you succeed. He really cared for his students.”
Lighting candles in school colors of red and yellow
Students gaze at speakers above them
‘Always grounded in love for community’
WCCUSD’s Superintendent Cheryl Cotton told the crowd at Friday’s ceremony that Pierce was meant to be a leader.
“He was meant to serve this community with his heart, with integrity and unwavering commitment to young people,” Cotton told the crowd. “This school district was not just a workplace for him, it was home. He attended West Contra Costa schools as a student, he returned as an educator and rose to become principal, always grounded in love for the community that shaped him.”
Coach Dame vows to keep pushing students like Pierce did
De Anza football coach and health center supervisor Maliik Zaid (also known as Coach Dame) shared a heartfelt speech about Pierce. Zaid said he knew Pierce since he was a little boy playing basketball with his younger brother.
He said at De Anza they pushed students to achieve, graduate and go to college.
“We did everything we could to press kids to a higher standard than what we had seen growing up in Richmond,” Zaid said. “I’ve been in Richmond 51 years … The stuff we did here, I never would have thought happened, but we did it. And for Pierce and everyone in the district, we are going to continue to do it. And for all the kids, keep pressing yourself to a higher standard. Be something they think you won’t be. That’s what Pierce would want you to do. “
Ending the evening with song and dance
As the sun set, dozens of candles flickered in remembrance and attendees signed a large poster with final messages of love and gratitude. The service closed with a joyful tribute to Pierce: A sing-along to one of his favorite songs, Katy Perry’s “Firework,” followed by dancing to Maze and Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go.”
“”
“Be something (that) they think you won’t be. That’s what Pierce would want you to do. “
— Maliik Zaid, De Anza football coach
