Photo: Mon C. Non
Citizen of Edina: Myra Han
Myra Han is anything but an average teenager. In addition to playing violin in the Edina High School concert orchestra, competing in varsity tennis and serving as a lead peer tutor in the writing center, she carved out time to found a student group for Asian American and Pacific Islanders.
And, when the Edina Public Schools held a listening session following an uptick in hate incidents—many specifically aimed at Asian Americans—Han stepped up again to co-found the Edina Asian American Alliance (EAAA) during her senior year. EAAA launched in April 2022 as an intergenerational coalition of students, parents and community members allied in their commitment to Asian and Asian American youth in the Edina community. EAAA members strive to make the Asian and Asian American experience more visible and understood, build coalitions and advocate for equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
Han just finished her first year at Duke University and is involved in club tennis and Global Health Brigades, an international movement of university students working to improve health conditions in the developing world. Despite those commitments, Han helped plan EAAA’s first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month Festival. Held in May in Rosland Park, the festival aimed to celebrate culture with a series of performances including a Lion Dance and a Taekwondo exhibition. Community leaders spoke, and several AAPI community organizations hosted booths.
“The festival was a beautiful celebration of rich culture,” Han says. “I’m grateful to all the supportive community members and the EAAA team that made this possible.”
The Edina Asian American Alliance is a Community Impact Partner of the Edina Community Foundation. Find out more about the organization at edinaasianamericanalliance.org.
