District recognizes volunteers, student leaders, virtual enterprise team and school nutrition director
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Summary
The board honored longtime volunteer Bill Buckley with the districts Golden Apple Award, recognized student leaders and a nationally successful virtual enterprise team, and congratulated Food and Nutrition Director Jen Smith for earning a School Nutrition Specialist credential.
The South Pasadena Unified School District board used its May 13 meeting to spotlight volunteers, student leaders and staff achievements.
Volunteer recognition: The board named Bill Buckley the districts 2025 ACSA Golden Apple Award recipient in absentia and praised his long volunteer record across elementary and secondary schools, including PTA service, booster boards, and leadership of major fundraisers. The board highlighted his work sustaining the Tiger Run during the pandemic with a virtual event that preserved the fundraisers 23-year streak.
Student leaders and reflections: Outgoing student board member Sawyer Donaldson delivered remarks summarizing the year and announced plans to attend UC Santa Cruz. Student commissioner Austin Huang presented a reflection on South Pasadena High Schools four core values (strength, scholarship, fair play and leadership) and listed academic and athletic accomplishments, including multiple CIF and state-level championships.
Virtual Enterprise team: Janet Connor, the high school virtual enterprise and entrepreneurship teacher, introduced the SPHS team Fable, which placed second in the nation in the Youth Business Summit financial literacy challenge and earned awards in salesmanship and marketing. Students said their company, Fable, creates customizable succulent kits and described national-level recognition for trade fair sales and a video commercial.
Food service credential: District staff recognized Food and Nutrition Director Jen Smith for passing the School Nutrition Specialist credentialing exam. Superintendent Jeff Yance noted the department serves nearly 5,000 meals per day (about 800,000 meals per school year) and said participation in the district lunch program is nearly 60%. Smith thanked the board and staff for support and described the departments emphasis on scratch cooking, wholesomeness and student relationships.
The board applauded the honorees and the staff who supported student programs and extracurricular successes.