HHS has been on a streak of introducing new people and new things on campus. The beginning of the school year HHS introduced several new teachers and a new counselor as well. A couple of weeks ago students began to ballot for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, and HHS introduced new electives that are being offered. 

A couple of days ago, Loren Lighthall, The principal of HHS, announced two new teachers joining the pack in the upcoming school year. “As we continue to be a destination school for so many we are adding another teacher for the 23-24 school year. Mr. Garza will be joining us from Fox Road elementary as a social science teacher. DJ Sexton will also be joining us a social science teacher” 

Mr.Sexton is a Hughson native, and expresses to feel lucky to also have attended Hughson schools. Sexton obtained his college education from CSU Stanislaus. In school, Sexton says that his favorite subject was history, “I enjoyed learning about all those unique people, moments, civilizations and cultures.”

Based on inspiration, Sexton tells that his former teachers inspired him to become a teacher. “I was inspired by my teachers. Mr. Kroll and Mr. Franca (retired) both inspired me to learn more about history. They both made history come alive and their lessons were always engaging. Mrs. Ruelas was another huge inspiration for me. Her class was one of my favorites at HHS, and during my senior year she helped guide me on the path towards teaching. There’s so many other teachers too, pretty much every teacher I had at HHS helped create a fun learning environment”. 

Regarding his future students, he hopes to have a positive influence on them, “I hope to influence my students by having fun and engaging lessons, helping them learn about the past and how it can help make the future better. I want my class to be something every kid looks forward to going to. I am big on positive thinking (“Get to” vs “Have to”), and I plan on making my class full of laughing, learning, collaboration and positivity.”

To all students, a word of advice from Sexton, “ High School is shorter than you think! Maximize every moment, be yourself, and be kind- you never know how much a bit of kindness can affect someone .” A quote he lives by comes from Keith Parker, a former coach that has passed away and was also one of his mentors “Success is not owned, it is rented. And rent is due every single day.”