Longtime Serra High School principal honored
By Christina Gray
Michael Peterson distinguished himself long ago to the community at Junipero Serra High School, where he served for more than 30 years, 25 of them as principal. The San Mateo school community’s esteem for the now-retired educator is shared by Scouting America’s Pacific Skyline Council, which recently named him as one of two recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award.
Scouting America is the largest and most well-known youth development organization in the country, offering the Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts and other scouting programs. Its Distinguished Citizen Award is an annual recognition of local community members across the country who freely give of their time and talent in service to youth.
Both Peterson and San Mateo Mayor Rob Newsom Jr. were recognized this year for their “exceptional dedication to public service and community impact.” Peterson belongs to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Belmont; Newsom, to St. Bartholomew Parish in San Mateo.
The Pacific Skyline Council serves youth in San Mateo County and the northern part of Santa Clara County as far south as Mountain View. It noted that Peterson, a lifelong Eagle Scout, has “worked tirelessly to support youth through education, mentorship and outreach programs.” He continues to be very involved at Serra and Notre Dame high schools while serving on the boards of the San Mateo Police Activities League, St. John’s Cemetery and the Rotary Club of San Mateo.
A March 12 Instagram post by the council announcing the award called Peterson’s impact on youth “immeasurable.”
“Mike has dedicated more than 45 years to Catholic education, serving as a teacher, coach, mentor and administrator, profoundly influencing generations of students and supporting initiatives like the Fund-a-Dream campaign, which has raised millions for student scholarships.”
“My focus is being present to kids,” Peterson told Catholic San Francisco about his award. “They are our future, there’s no doubt about that. I think as we give them a good foundation, a good education, they’ll take care of us tomorrow.”
Peterson is highly involved with the San Mateo Police Activities League, a collaborative nonprofit of the San Mateo Police Department and the San Mateo Recreation Department. Its purpose is to keep young people engaged in positive activities, stay in school and avoid harmful influences such as drugs, gangs and other risky behaviors. As a Rotary Club board member, he helps raise money for scholarships for youth who want to continue their education at a community or four-year college.
Peterson joined Junipero Serra High School in 1978. He was not only Serra’s first lay principal, but the first lay principal of a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of San Francisco, according
to a story in “Traditions,” Serra’s school publication. Peterson left the principal’s office after 25 years to join the school’s capital campaign and fundraising efforts as the director of institutional advancement.
“I believe in Catholic schools, and what they stand for,” he said in the story. “I thought I could bring something to the family and community of Serra and help it to become an even better school than it already was.”
That’s exactly what happened. Peterson’s natural authenticity and lifelong relationships with former Serra students and families helped exponentially boost the school’s fundraising capabilities — and its ability to offer scholarships to students from lower-income homes.
Known as a guy with a heart of gold and a commitment to doing all he can to make a Serra education possible, Peterson has been very influential in attracting benefactors and prominent alumni speakers to Serra’s annual “Fund-a-Dream” gala that raises money for student scholarships. An early gala raised $40,000. When Serra alumnus Tom Brady was a featured speaker, the gala raised $800,000. On its 20th anniversary, more than $1 million was raised. Peterson’s alliances with alumni families also facilitated a robust planned giving program at Serra.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike at Serra and collaborate now with him on various endeavors with the San Mateo Rotary Club,” said Rod Linhares, the Archdiocese’s director of mission advancement. “His commitment to young people and to education, whether Catholic or otherwise, is virtually unparalleled. He’s had a tremendous impact on countless lives and is a true inspiration.”
Christina Gray is the lead writer for Catholic San Francisco.
