By Gypsy Knarr--Eagle Staff Writer
Familiar face, different title: Reyhan Deskins has made his return to FCHS, this time as the new campus principal. With past experience not only in teaching and education, but also as an acting principal for another division, Deskins has risen to the occasion for the chance to show everyone what he was truly born to be.
Deskins’ decision to become principal stemmed from his dream to educate young people. “I have known since I was a senior in high school that I wanted to be a teacher,” says Deskins. He served as Acting Principal for William Fleming High School which he says, “convinced me that I had the qualities to be an effective school principal.” Though he's only been the FCHS principal for a few months, Deskins has already shown just how much he cares about the school, the staffulty, and the scholars. Deskin explains he believes his mission to be “to help scholars and staffulty find what they were 'born to be,'" adding that he plans to “ensure our scholars have the best educational experience at FCHS.”
Speaking of which: what's with the "scholar" thing? Deskins says “I believe the way people, especially young people, think about themselves affects their behavior and outcomes.” He continued, “I want the scholars of FCHS to find their passion, their interests, what they love to do, and what they were 'born to be.' You're more than just ordinary students; you are scholars who can accomplish extraordinary things.”
This positivity is a hallmark of Deskins' leadership, and he notes that the way he was brought up when he was younger played an important role in his ability to stay positive. Deskins credits his mother and the words of wisdom she passed on to him: “I was raised by my mother who told me that 'as long as you're alive, everyday is an opportunity to get better.'" He brought up another piece of advice his mother gave him. “She also said, 'life is long and life is short. Do something everyday that makes you happy and brings you joy.'"
Aside from his mother Deskins has other family. “My wife is a Franklin County High School alumni. I have 3 children (2 are FCHS graduates) and one grandson.”
Beyond work and family, Deskins enjoys a variety of hobbies, like playing bass guitar - "a hobby I picked up during Covid. I also run 4 or 5 mornings a week. I like to cook as well.“ He also mentioned that he enjoys watching survivalist shows "like 'Alone'. I would never participate in something like that, but I like watching others survive in the wilderness.”
Challenges come when trying anything new, and Deskins' new position is no exception. “Familiarizing myself with the policy and procedures of the division," is just one of the challenges Deskins says he’s facing. Nevertheless, he brings his trademark spirit to the situation - a spirit he says he developed over years of sports. “I played numerous sports in high school and have continued to be active in my adult life. One of the many lessons I learned through sports is that you control your attitude and effort, and that you will have more fun when you bring a positive attitude and maximum effort to all you do.”
As for what's next, Deskins says that while he feels he was born to be the principal of FCHS, “You never say never” though he admits, "I don't know what I would do if I wasn't in the education profession.”
There is still a lot many of us have to learn about who Deskins is as a person and as the campus principal but many feel he's already made an impact with what he’s done for the school thus far and is well on his way to showing why he was “born to be principal of Franklin County High School.”
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