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Homestead High School 21370 Homestead Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014
Volume 61, Issue 8
May 31, 2024
New principal appointed after unanimous decision
Denae Nurnberg succeeds Greg Giglio as HHS principal
By Kevin Miao and Jonathan Xue
A
Ph o Ph to b oto y E by lena Ele S na him Sh im
fter months of deliberation, current coordinator of data and assessment and former HHS assistant principal Denae Nurnberg was unanimously chosen as the new HHS principal by the FUHSD Board of Trustees and superintendent Graham Clark at the board meeting on May 21. After Giglio accepted his new position as director of human resources, the search for a new principal began with a job posting that looked for educators who would fill the newly-vacant position, assistant superintendent Tom Avvakumovits said. Four weeks later, Avvakumovits screened candidates to ensure they fulfilled the job’s requirements, he said. “I did a little reference checking [because] there [were] a lot of applicants; sometimes you get perspectives that you don’t see on paper,” Avvakumovits said. “Then I wrote [interview] questions using things we heard from, the community or staff.” The first round of interviews was conducted by an expansive group
comprising of a student board representative, various HHS parents, members of the FUHSD cabinet, HHS staff and LHS principal Maria Jackson. From there, the applicant pool was narrowed down before a second interview round, which was held at HHS and included a larger panel of 28 HHS staff members, mainly comprised of department leads, Avvakumovits said. “The things staff wanted most were a strong vision, the commitment to follow through and strong communication,” Avvakumovits said. “[Nurnberg’s] performance was exemplary. She is very much ready to take the step as a principal in our district.” Nurnberg said she has been working at the district office as the coordinator of data and assessment for the last four years and prior to that, she worked at HHS for nine years as both an assistant principal and dean. Through these positions, Nurnberg gained a deep understanding of HHS students and staff and comprehensive knowledge of school management, she said. Ultimately, Nurnberg said her love for and connection to the HHS community motivated her to pursue this job. Throughout the application pro-
Staff share opinions on new principal “Nurnberg cares about students. She is cognizant of the challenges teachers [face] and accommodates both, but mostly putting the students first, which is what we want; we work for students.”
“She [was] definitely the top choice. We had a lot of good candidates, [but] it was who would do the best job. I’m sure she’ll uphold HHS’s legacy of excellence. She wants to be principal of this school because she values the people in this community.” - Superintendent, Graham Clark
- World language department lead, Muriel von Stein
“Nurnberg’s passion, dedication and her commitment to students are unquestioned. Her desire to do what is right [for] students and our community is also something that I admire.” - Director of human resources, Paula Robinson
Photos by Kevin Miao
cess for the position, Nurnberg said her profound involvement in FUHSD and HHS affairs solidified her commitment as the future principal. However, her approachability, empathy and love for students is what she believes set her apart from other candidates, Nurnberg said. The main goal is to make a smooth transition between principals to ensure HHS will continue on its path of excellence, Clark said. “Denae is the right choice [for principal]. She’s got a lot of experience and she’s worked at HHS before,” Clark said. “She has all the skills and she’s a good fit [for the role].” Nurnberg has excelled in her positions in the district, developing leadership skills that have prepared her for this new role, current director of human resources Paula Robinson said. “She has a special connection with [HHS]; she’s been there before for a long time and she has remained in touch with the school,” Robinson said. “[She knows] how the school thrives and what support it needs. Her history and the experiences that
Infographic by Evelyn Wang
she brings from her job at the district office are going to serve HHS very well.” In her new role, Nurnberg said she aims to foster more collaborative efforts between teachers, which will benefit student learning. Moreover, building a positive school environment and helping students engage in civil discourse safely are other goals Nurnberg has for her new position, she added. “I think students will find a safe space to talk to me and share questions, concerns and ideas. It’s your school, and [administration] should be here to listen and help you make it the best experience you can,” Nurnberg said. “I really try to learn and understand issues [because] I care about the students and the community.” After 24 years in public education, Nurnberg said she is ready to lead the campus she knows and loves. “I’m looking forward to coming back to HHS, and I’m super excited about this opportunity,” Nurnberg said. “I look forward to meeting as many of you as are willing to come up and say hello. Don’t be a stranger, get to know me. Trust that I will listen even if we don’t agree on something.”
Boys varsity tennis makes history on the courts
Boys varsity tennis wins CCS, competes in NorCal finals By Ella Chan, Helen Tam and Annabelle Yip
For the first time since 1990, boys varsity tennis won CCS. A week later, the team cemented themselves as a top-four team in the state after reaching NorCal finals, uncharted territory for the program, singles one player John Tahk said. With a score of 4-3, the victory against Saratoga High School in the CCS finals felt incredible, Tahk, a senior, said. Not only was the event a historic moment, but it was also a culmination of the team’s hard work throughout the entire season, he said. “With each hard-fought close win, our team grew even closer together,” Tahk said. “I’m proud of the effort each person
gave at every step along the way.” Similarly, doubles one player senior Alon Hutt said the experience of being crowned CCS champions was unreal. After avoiding tennis powerhouse Menlo School, the team faced a school they were more familiar with: league rival SHS, Hutt said. “We were all nervous during the match since it came down to a decider,” Hutt said. “As soon as we won, I was flooded with a mix of happy, sad and pure shock. Best of all, we beat Saratoga.” Head varsity coach Sundar Parthasarathy said that the season was magical, as the team had never made NorCals before, let alone NorCal finals. “I’m really proud of the boys,” Parthasarathy said. “They worked so hard, they came to practice all the time, they never missed matches, they’re there for each other [and] they’re always cheering.” See Boys tennis wins CCS, Page 7
Photo courtesy of Edmond Kwong
Senior Alon Hutt said playing in NorCals under the blaring sun in 90-degree weather was a grind, but coming through in the deciding match in the semifinals was rewarding, as it extended his senior season for one more day.
Opinion
Lifestyles
Arts & Culture
Sports
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Athlete of the Month: Vincent Wang’s dedication helps bring boys tennis to a CCS championship Page 7
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