Trocchio beams in excitement for his first year as a Baron.
Photo by Bryan Tranby Michelle Nhi Nguyen, Staff Writer & Photographer, and Caitlin Pham, News Editor
This year, FVHS welcomes Mark Trocchio as Assistant Principal of supervision.
Trocchio entered college with an interest in pre-law, but soon changed paths to be in the sports medicine program instead, finding an interest in physical therapy sparked by athletic trainer and mentor Ray Nelson.
Achieving great levels of success in the sports medicine program, Trocchio made a big impression on employers and was later offered the position as the first-ever head athletic trainer at Massapequa High School. Trocchio realized then that his true calling was in the educational field, and decided to get his master’s in school counseling after being urged by several students to become a guidance counselor.
Trocchio claimed that he has never looked back on his change of heart in regards to his professional career. His transition from sports medicine to school counseling was one that he would never regret.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “[I] just loved working with students… The experience I get as a guidance counselor, in education, is…rewarding and fun.”
Trocchio was first introduced into the Huntington Beach Union High School District by Dr. Morrow, the former principal of Marina High School, where he worked in athletics, special education, and supervision. After five years as a Viking, he was offered a position at FVHS as the head of supervision,
Trocchio had already formed high expectations for the school based on the praise he heard from his FV alumni friends and from hearing FV’s spirited loud crowd at football games.
“FV is amazing…[and] the highest achieving school in the district. The spirit is already built in,” he said. “[The decision] was a no brainer. If I have the chance to go over there, then absolutely. Sign me up.”
Already setting clear goals for FVHS, he strives to push students to be more wholeheartedly involved throughout their entire high school career, rather than putting it off until their senior year. He hopes to help students see that doing something enjoyable as a career is more important than grades.
“It breaks my heart when it’s all about how many APs students are taking, or when parents don’t even care what classes they’re taking,” Trocchio said.
He also is excited to collaborate with FVHS staff members, such as Dr. Smith, FV’s new principal, with whom Trocchio shares similar creative visions. Smith and him are willing to do anything to make FV a better place, even if it sounds impossible.
“If it’s good for the kids, let’s figure out a way to get it done,” he said.
