By Katie Vo & Alexys DeMaria
Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) kicked off its school year on Sept. 1, welcoming back returning students and staff. Along with new freshmen and sophomores, the campus also opened its gates to new administrators.
Bringing back the school spirit is vital to all Barons returning back on campus, and the new principal and assistant principal (AP) of activities and athletics are the leaders to look to.
The new principal, Paul Lopez, is not new to the game. Thirty-one years at Glendora High School equipped Lopez with much knowledge and experience.
“I was a [special education] teacher, counselor, athletic director, football coach, dean of students, assistant principal and then ultimately I was the principal there for 10 years before I transitioned to the district office,” Lopez said.
What seems to be an exhaustive list is truly a testament to Lopez’s experience in the field of education. Through these various roles, Lopez has learned what makes a great high school environment.
“The key is feeling safe and involved on a campus,” Lopez said. “We almost have a cultural reset because we’ve been out of school for so long.”
He ultimately decided to return to a school campus because of the students.
“[I’m] looking forward to getting to know the culture and the climate of the campus, the students…and also the staff. I’m brand new so I want to make sure that I get to know everybody,” Lopez said.
He makes himself visible and routinely walks around campus, adhering to his personal mantra, “look, listen and learn.”
“I’m not just this person that sits in my office because that’s not who I am,” Lopez said.
Rather than creating big changes on campus, observing and learning the Baron way of life are currently the top priorities on his list.
Similarly learning what it means to be Baron, the new AP of Athletics and Activities Hayato Yuuki steps into his new role wanting to learn all aspects of the position.
His responsibilities as the AP of Athletics and Activities include working with the Associated Student Body director and athletic director to ensure that all events and sports on campus run smoothly.
“Some of my goals as a new AP are to learn the culture here at Fountain Valley, establish some really good working relationships with all the teachers here, all the programs here, all the coaches [and] all the staff,” Yuuki said. “I want to learn how to be a better administrator.”
In addition to administrative tasks and putting out fires in the office, Yuuki saves lives. Off campus, Yuuki is a paramedic.
Prior to coming to FVHS, Yuuki worked at Estancia High School for 14 years after creating a Career Technical Education medical program where students could attend fire department ride-alongs, get an Emergency Medical Technician license and become cardiopulmonary resuscitation certified. This program allowed them to get jobs right after graduating, gain experience in the medical field and ultimately, enter a world of opportunities.
Although the paramedic scene looks much different than the school setting, Yuuki’s dedication remains steadfast. After working for 10 years as a paramedic on University of California, Irvine medical center’s trauma team, Yuuki ultimately left to make time for his new position as a new AP at FVHS.
“I actually just quit in August because I wanted to give everything to Fountain Valley. I wanted to make sure that I don’t have any other distractions, I don’t have any other jobs, any other responsibilities because I wanted to give my heart and soul, 110% to Fountain Valley,” Yuuki said.
Commitment to the job seems to be a pattern shared by the administrative faculty. Just like Yuuki, Principal Lopez considers himself to be “all in” for Fountain Valley High School, regardless of his time at Glendora High School.
Their excitement and encouragement are more qualities they have in common. Both emphasize the importance for students to engage in new experiences and explore the endless possibilities on campus by joining clubs, sports and other programs.
“I always tell my kids this…set attainable goals, crush your goals one at a time, dream high because there are no barriers,” Yuuki said. “You can literally do anything you want to do.”
After many months of uncertainty, there is one thing Barons can be certain of—we can count on new leadership for a promising school year.
With the 2021-2022 school year starting, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Jon Hurst is ready to connect with the community. As a first year administrator, Hurst now oversees the FVHS honor code and bell schedule and coordinates all testing, including Advanced Placement , California Science Test, and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.
This year, Hurst will prioritize being present with the students of FVHS.
“I think the most important thing is developing relationships and earning the trust of those around you … So you can develop that relationship first and you [the students] trust that we have your best interest at heart,” Hurst said.
With students back at school, he wants them to familiarize themselves with the administration. He believes it is important for students to be able to get to know administrators because “they’re the ones who are making important decisions”.
Hurst discovered his love for education after disliking working in an office environment. First through coaching, Hurst realized teaching could offer something more fulfilling and earned his teaching credentials soon after.
“It’s like a niche for me. My personality and interests align well with education, and it’s been a smooth transition,” he said.
Hurst appreciates that the staff and community at FVHS align with his interest in prioritizing students.
“I’ve never once felt like I actually am working… Everyday I’m getting up and I get to do something that I love,” Hurst said.
Hurst said that his values will fit well at FVHS. He describes Baron culture as, “collaborating and working together, whether it’s the office staff, teachers, maintenance or the students. Everyone has a common goal, which is that we all want the best for students and giving them every opportunity to be successful and learn.”
Similarly to Lopez and Yuuki, Hurst advises students this year to step out of their comfort zone when it comes to adjusting to in person instruction.
He said, “participating in activities, clubs, organizations or athletics that you might not normally participate in is a great way for you to reacclimate to campus life.”
He urges students to introduce themselves to as many activities available this year.
“Get involved and get connected, because you have four years to make as much of high school as possible.”
