South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) is proud to announce Bill Buckley as the recipient of the Association of California School Administrators’ Golden Apple Award for Volunteerism. On April 16, 2025, Superintendent Yantz recognized Buckley’s extensive SPUSD volunteer experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. 

For 17 years, Buckley has served in numerous roles, including six years as the Arroyo Vista PTA Coordinator of School Assemblies and five years as the “Golden Shoe Guy” for the school’s annual Jog-a-Thon.

During his service with the South Pasadena Middle School Booster Board, Buckley masterminded the annual SPMS Poker Tournament, an event that has raised more than $100,000 since it began 10 years ago. As his three daughters moved on to high school, Buckley worked for eight years with the SPHS Booster Board, primarily overseeing the Tiger Run, the second largest fundraiser for the high school behind Tiger Bingo. He even kept the Tiger Run afloat during COVID in 2020 by repositioning the event as a Virtual Run.

Buckley has spent countless hours chaperoning field trips, volunteering for various school fun fairs and summer school registration, and serving as the Girl Scout Camping Dad for his daughters. He even once transported 1,000 pounds of dirt in his jeep for the original Middle School Garden–all with a smile on his face.
 
Over the years, Bill Buckley has actively sought opportunities to support students, teachers, and staff and has devoted countless hours of volunteer service to the South Pasadena Unified School District. We appreciate Bill and everything he has done for our school community!

For more information, contact: South Pasadena Unified School District, Office of the Superintendent, [email protected].