This week Hughson Unified School District approved Loren Lighthall, 46, as the new principal of Hughson High School.

Mr. Lighthall brings a wide range of experience and expertise as an administrator and educator. Formerly a principal for Paradise High School for two years, Lighthall is coming to Hughson with a passion for education and drive to help students and the community of Hughson excel.

Having survived the Paradise Fire, the worst fire in California history, Lighthall not only lost his home but the school where he served as principal as well. Both his home and the school were completely demolished, but within three weeks, Lighthall had an online school up and running to make sure that the needs of his Paradise students came first.  

“I have been the principal at Paradise High School the past two years and it has been the absolute joy of my career. I adore the kids and the community,” said Lighthall. “Leaving was a gut-wrenching decision and maybe the hardest thing I have ever had to do, probably even harder than having our house burn down.”

Finding living accommodations after the fire has been a challenge for Paradise community members and Lighthall and his family have been no exception. The Lighthall family, comprised of Lighthall and his wife plus their seven children, have been forced to live in a 1,100 square foot upstairs apartment in Chico. Sadly, these living arrangments could not be sustained and Lighthall and his family agreed to relocate.

“We began to look at several areas in California and knew that we wanted to continue to live in a rural area. Hughson fits that bill and also has big city conveniences very close. My kids come to school with me (I have a graduating senior and an incoming 9th grader) so the place where I work is very important,” said Lighthall. “I have to believe in the school because my kids will go there and Hughson has some amazing things in place. It seems to be a school that the community can easily support.”

Lighthall researched many communities and schools before deciding to come to Hughson.

“I had to pick between Hughson and two other offers and the thing that stood out was that Hughson has a lot of longtime employees that seem to enjoy their work,” Lighthall said. “That speaks to the morale and workplace environment in place and something that is easy to want to be a part of.”

After touring both Hughson High School and the town of Hughson, Lighthall felt confident that Hughson was going to be a school and community he would be able to call home.

“I was very impressed with both the town and the school. Much of the data I researched is very similar to the school and community where I work now. Good academics, good sports, strong VAPA [visual and performing arts] and ag programs,” Lighthall explained. “Because I played three sports in high school, performed in plays, played the trumpet, and was in FFA, these are all things I love and believe are important.”

Before being a principal at Paradise High School, Lighthall was a vice principal at Santa Ana High School for 10 years, taught math and science for one year at Watts Middle School in LA Unified, and taught for seven years as a math teacher at Paramount High School in Downey.

After growing up in a very small farming community in upstate NY near Syracuse, Lighthall then went to college and graduated from BYU with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Public Policy. He earned a teaching credential from Chapman University and then earned a second Master’s degree from CSU Dominguez Hills in Education Administration.

Lighthall has always been deeply rooted in family.  He is an identical twin to a brother who teaches physical education for Seattle Unified School District.  He is also a father to seven children ranging in ages from twenty-one to four. Out of the seven children, only one is a girl and she is currently serving her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints mission in Mozambique, Africa.

“If I had to say one thing about our family it is that all the boys adore their sister. Our entire family revolves around her and we miss her a ton,” Lighthall stated.

The other members of the family include Lighthall’s wife, Rachel, a Rexburg, Idaho native; Chris, 21, a freshman at BYU-Idaho who completed his LDS mission in Chile; Rebekah, the only girl, who will return to BYU as a sophomore when she returns from her mission; Lance, who will be joining his brother at BYU-Idaho next year; Joseph, who will be a 9th grader and is a soccer and trumpet player; Ben who will be an 8th grader and is a soccer and trombone player; Lincoln who will be in 4th grade and is described by Lighthall as the nicest kid on the planet, and Peter who is 4 years old and brings a lot of joy to the Lighthall family.

Having come from such strong family roots, Lighthall is ready to bring that enthusiasm and passion for life to the community of Hughson.  

“I really care about what I do and know that a Principal can make such a tremendous difference in the lives of students,” Lighthall said.

He is ready and eager to come and learn about Hughson High School as well as ready to have a new audience for his great sense of humor.

“I think I’m funny, but my kids say I just keep using the same material over and over and that it’s no longer funny –  if it ever was,” Lighthall said. “I’ll be glad to have a new audience.”

The community and schools of Hughson are excited to have Lighthall join them as a member of the Hughson family.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Lighthall to Hughson High School,” Superintendent Brenda Smith stated.  “He has a set of strengths that will positively benefit our school and our community.  The staff and students in Hughson Unified are top notch and this will be a great place for him to continue his career.  I have no doubt he will enjoy being a Husky!”