was going to kick her school's rear end, in jest. And she really got into it. She would needle me every time (Hurricane won). She became a Tiger rather quickly.”

     One of six kids, Pedersen has lived all over the western United States while in his youth. He graduated from high school in southwestern Idaho, went on an LDS mission to Colombia, South America, and graduated from BYU in 1988 with a degree in Math, Physical Education, and Traffic Safety.
     He has taught mathematics at both the junior high and high school levels, and has coached basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and softball. Though he enjoyed coaching, his first love has always been being in the classroom teaching math. While at Timpanogos High School in Orem, Pedersen earned his Administration degree from the University of Utah in 2003. Then it was off to Lowry High School in Winnemucca, Nevada where he served as Vice Principal for three years.
     “I had a blast. I was paired up with an administrator who had been a principal for about 25 years, and another administrator who worked as an elementary principal as well as held a district position,” Pedersen said. “Those two taught me so much. I will always be grateful to them.” He added they shared so much experience and knowledge, tutored and taught him what worked and what did not, and gave him ideas on how to handle situations based on their years of experience.
     After three years, due to family health reasons, Pedersen and his family began looking for a warmer climate. He saw the opening at Canyon View High School, applied for the position and got it. At that point they started looking for a place to live, and kept liking Hurricane. His wife, Amby, got a position teaching at Washington Elementary, and so they settled on Hurricane. They have loved it ever since, he says.
     “My wife and I were walking last night,” Pedersen said. “My wife said 'This is such a great place to live. Not a lot of lights so she can look at the stars, and it still has that small town feel.”
     Pedersen said his daughter, Stacia, initially was not happy with the move. Changing schools as a junior is always hard, he said, and she had a hard time making the adjustment. However, HHS grew on her. "The kids really embraced her." Pedersen explained. "Additionally, there were better music opportunities here, and she really enjoyed her teachers. After about four months, she really embraced her new school, and quickly became a Tiger," Pedersen said.
     As the new principal of Hurricane High School, Pedersen knows he has some big shoes to fill. He said it is great that Dr. Hoyt will still be around. He has already told Hoyt he will be buying him a lot of lunches while he picks his brain about background information and how thing have been handled in the past.
     “I know I am in for a lot of hard work, but I love the headaches of high school,” Pedersen said.  "Hurricane High School is a great school," Pedersen said. "It has excellent, dedicated teachers, great community support, and really good kids." He said Hurricane has every right to be proud of this school.
     Pedersen will be in the office almost every day during the summer. He wants to learn as much about the school, the students, and the teachers as he can. He explained that he has an open door policy, and wants to hear from parents and the community. If there are things they want to see, he wants to sit down and discuss them, and see what can be done. Pedersen said he is trilled to be a Tiger. This is where he wants to be, he said.
     “I am so excited to be at Hurricane. It is a great school and a great community. I am here long term,” Pedersen said. “Maybe I will get tired of being the principal one day, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.”
     Pedersen has lived in Hurricane for two years, is married and has two daughters, Morgan and Stacia. He officially assumes the position as Principal of Hurricane High School officially on July 1, 2008. He can be reached by contacting the school at 635-3280.