The following is a press release from the Huntington Beach Union High School District and does not reflect editorial work done by Spotlight Schools. Submit a press release to Spotlight Schools by emailing [email protected].
The Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) is honored to announce the retirement of Kayoko “Kay” Nakauchi after 68 years of dedicated service to HBUHSD, effective December 31, 2025.
Throughout her life and career, Kay Nakauchi has demonstrated a determined spirit and remarkable perseverance. In 1942, following the Manzanar executive order, Nakauchi and her family were detained at the Manzanar Japanese American internment camp alongside over 120,000 others. Despite the abrupt disruption to her life and the difficult conditions she endured, she remained resilient and positive, qualities that would shape and guide her as she entered high school and took her first steps toward a long-standing career with the district.
Nakauchi went on to graduate from Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), the first of HBUHSD’s now nine schools. She attended Orange Coast College for a semester before returning to HBHS to begin her career with HBUHSD in 1958, where she would serve until the opening of Westminster High School and later transition to the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s office. During her time within HBUHSD, Nakauchi served as a stenographer, administrative secretary, executive secretary, and certificated personnel secretary, a position she held through the remainder of her career…