Dr. Troy Bales, Pinnacle High School
Trekking through mountainous terrain, away from the cellular devices of modern society, Pinnacle High School (PHS) principal Dr. Troy Bales engaged himself in the wilderness around him. He and other members of a Boy Scout troop traveled 85 miles through the peaks of northern New Mexico over the summer of 2012. Although he gladly assisted in chaperoning and volunteering for Boy Scouts of America, some of Bales’ fulfilled goals as part of his ardor to the organization consisted of being an Eagle Scout as well as being a Scoutmaster for three years.
“I have always really been a goal planner; I set those goals, and I work to accomplish them,” Bales said.
This ambition derived from his genuine fascination with nature and enthusiasm to live an active life of exercise. For Bales, it’s a way to relieve stress in order to stay both mentally and physically fit, which is essential for life and the workplace. Back at home, he faces the uncharted academic hub that is PHS.
With over 2,500 students, Bales desires to know as many Pioneers as possible. Already, students welcome him with a positive atmosphere.
“What I’m most fascinated with is how quickly students step up to be leaders on our campus,” Bales said about the variety of opportunities available through clubs, athletics and the arts.
Between all of the extracurriculars within the high school, activities that Bales did not observe at the elementary school level are now at full intensity. Seeing familiar faces only becomes an added plus to the transition, as he recognizes many of the former students from his time spent as principal of Wildfire Elementary.
A lot of what made the entry to PHS easier pertains to the experience of the staff who reacted warmly to his arrival, such as administrative assistant Jan Allen, who provides her seven years of PHS knowledge.
“In turn [our experience] helps him become very familiar with all aspects of Pinnacle life,” Jan Allen said.
Although new to the school, Bales implements his own life mantras to his work, including the idea of a “continuous improvement philosophy” to achieve personal bests.
“We can take what is already great and become better,” Bales said.
Bales is content with the empowering attitude he finds in the students, teachers and staff of the school. Thankful for the opportunity to serve in a facility with the same views, he hopes to use his ideals to contribute to making PHS even better.
