Stockton native Linda Chin Luna has made an impact in her hometown as an educator and through her love of music.
On Monday morning, her Stockton Chorale colleagues, past ATHENA honorees, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce staff and board members surprised Luna at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce office with the news that she was selected as the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient.
“I want to cry. I feel very humbled and very honored to be even considered for it. When I heard that this was submitted on my behalf, it was really humbling,” Luna told The Stockton Record on Monday. “When you work your whole career, you work your whole life, you don’t do it for that. You do it to serve.”
Linda Chin Luna is first female in her family to graduate college
Luna, now 63, was born and raised in Stockton.
Her father and his family immigrated from Kowloon, Hong Kong and established in downtown’s Stockton Chinese community , Luna said.
“I’m the first female in the generations of both sides of my family to have college degrees,” Luna said. “I’m very proud of that, because now the next generation of our children and our nieces and nephews have gone on to college to continue that legacy.”