The La Cañada Unified School District has recognized Ahee Han for her leadership and volunteer service to local schools by awarding her the 2024 Golden Apple Award, sponsored by the Association of California School Administrators.
Each year, the district’s administrative team meets to select one member of the LCUSD community who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the district’s schools. For the 2024 award, the team selected a parent and community member “who actively seeks out opportunities to serve our students, teachers and staff,” according to a press release.
“This is the most prestigious award that our district bestows to a volunteer, and we are so honored to be able to commend and thank Ahee Han for all that she has done to support LCUSD throughout the years,” said Superintendent Wendy Sinnette, acknowledging Han’s leadership in fundraising, parent outreach and service on district committees.
Han served five years as a director on the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation board and is currently serving as its president. Throughout her tenure at the foundation, she led the organization of LCFEF’s largest school-year fundraising event, the annual spring gala, and achieved a notable increase in donor participation. Additionally, she chaired the Korean Outreach Committee for five years, consistently raising record-breaking amounts annually from Korean American families.
With her focus on social responsibility, Han “has been a strong voice on the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion committees to advance the best interests, academic excellence, safety, security and wellness of our community. During a rash of violence toward the Asian American community, she took a proactive stance by organizing a local rally to raise awareness about the issue, bringing together local leaders and community members,” according to a press release.
Han and her husband, James, have lived in LCF for seven years. They have two children, Elijah, a seventh grader at La Cañada High School 7/8, and Taylor, a fifth grader at La Cañada Elementary. Han works as a real estate agent at the local Compass office.
Sinnette will present the award to Han at a special ceremony at Arcadia’s Santa Anita Racetrack on Feb. 27.
First published in the February 1 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
