A story of community, perseverance, and coming full circle in Christian County.
For Renikka Toliver Owen, Hopkinsville isn’t just where she grew up—it’s the foundation of who she is, the place that shaped her values, and the community she now serves with pride. In this edition of Stars of CCPS, Renikka reflects on her life’s journey, from playing outside on 18th Street to becoming the principal of Hopkinsville Middle School.
Renikka has been a dedicated educator in Christian County Public Schools since 2008, but her roots here go back much further. She grew up near Walnut Street, surrounded by childhood friends and a neighborhood where everyone knew your name. “Our community was very close-knit,” she recalls. “You were either a Tiger or a Colonel—just like today.”
Growing Up in a Community That Showed Up
Renikka’s childhood was defined by outdoor play, local sports, and the unforgettable energy of Hopkinsville’s rivalry games. She remembers attending basketball and football games with her family, swept up in the excitement and tradition. As a student-athlete herself—playing softball, soccer, and running cross country—she learned early the importance of commitment and hard work.
Those experiences broadened her world, introducing her to people from different backgrounds while strengthening her ties to her community. “Sports taught me discipline, dedication, and perseverance,” she says. “They helped me build relationships that still matter to me today.”
One of her most cherished memories is the Walnut Street Center, now the Boys & Girls Club. As a child, it was a safe, welcoming place—a constant, steady presence in the lives of many young people. “We would go there for dances and just to hang out,” she says. “I’m so thankful it’s still there for our students today.”
The Teachers Who Became Lifelong Mentors
Behind every successful educator is another educator who changed their life. Renikka is no exception.
She speaks with deep gratitude about the teachers and administrators who guided her—names that still hold powerful meaning:
Ms. Pagan Kent, Coach Hayes, Coach Malone, Ms. Hurst, Mr. Chiles, and Coach Boyd.
Each played a unique role in shaping her path, offering guidance, encouragement, and stability during her most formative years. In fact, while going through old belongings in her attic, she recently found her “Fans Award” from Mr. Chiles, a keepsake that reminded her how much his influence meant.
“They didn’t give up on me,” she says. “And because of that, I learned not to give up on myself.”
One moment in particular stands out: her senior year, when a teacher gathered a group of students for regular lunches and conversations—something similar to the student advisory groups CCPS uses today. That teacher’s belief in her, paired with his encouragement to return to Christian County after college, planted a seed that would later grow into her career in education.
Returning Home to Serve
After college, Renikka came back—not because it was easy, but because it mattered. “Christian County helped raise me,” she says. “Coming back was a way to give back.”
What followed was a journey that came beautifully full circle.
Renikka once walked the halls of Millbrooke Elementary as a student. Years later, she returned not as a student, but as the school’s principal—a moment she describes as both humbling and surreal. To serve the community that shaped her, in the very place where her story began, felt like destiny aligning.
From Millbrooke, she transitioned to Hopkinsville Middle School, where she now leads with the same patience, empathy, and perseverance that were poured into her as a young student.
“It’s gratifying,” she reflects. “And it’s humbling. Every day I get to support kids the way others supported me.”
Her pride extends beyond her own journey. Seeing her own children move through CCPS adds another layer of meaning to her work. She knows firsthand the impact educators can have—and she’s determined to continue that legacy.
A Legacy of Strength and Service
Renikka Toliver Owen’s story is one of perseverance, rooted in a strong community and lifted by the mentors who saw her potential long before she saw it in herself. Her experiences growing up in Hopkinsville—the games, the friendships, the Boys & Girls Club, the teachers who shaped her—guide every decision she makes as a leader today.
She represents what CCPS is all about:
lifting others, believing in our students, honoring our community, and coming back to serve the next generation.
As she puts it: “I appreciate having adults in high school that I could talk to and lean on. They didn’t give up on me. And now I get to be that for someone else.”
Renikka’s journey is a powerful reminder that our schools don’t just educate—they build futures, strengthen community, and inspire students to return home and lead.
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