Derek Ryan Driskill

Derek Driskill is originally from Cocke County and a graduate of Cocke County High School. He is the son of Randy and Angel Driskill. At CCHS, he served as National Honors Society president, Beta Club secretary, Key Club Treasurer, and team captain for Scholars Bowl. He was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mu Alpha Theta, ACT+30 Club, and Walters State Community College Spanish Honors Society. He was team captain of the cross-country team, and the track team. He was a Boys’ Nation Finalist.

Derek is a graduate of Carson-Newman University with a degree in Education (English, Science, Mathematics).  He participated in a National Alpha Chi Scholarship Competition in Texas, presenting a paper written by him and titled, “The Influence of Hebrew Patriarchy in Samson Agonistes: Interviews with Old Testament Scholars.” He was the National Winner for Region Three for his work on this paper.  He was selected as a Ledford Scholar through the ACA and was presented with a research grant.  He received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the highest award offered at Carson-Newman. He was awarded the Carson-Newman Student Leader of the Year award.  He wrote a research paper and presented it at the national convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico and won the Clark Youngblood National prize for Religion and Philosophy.

Derek earned a master’s degree in education at Carson-Newman University.  He completed his student teaching at Cosby High School in the Cocke County school district. He was selected for a two-year Rural Fellowship for the State of Tennessee. He will be serving Cocke County.