Bob Reyes, Principal of Fresno High School between 1997 and 2010, retired July 1st after thirteen years at the helm. Bob has been the longest standing principal in the history of Fresno High, longer than any of the twenty-four principals who preceded him. Bob came to FHS after serving as vice-principal and then principal of Kerman High School for thirteen years. When he first walked into the school office and noticed the photos of all previous principals on the wall, he noted, “I’m the first principal of color.”

Bob is a second generation American whose parents immigrated to America from the Philippines. Bob grew up in Porterville, knowing what it was to work hard for a living, spending weekends, holidays, vacations and summers working in agricultural fields from the age of twelve. Bob left Porterville after junior college to continue his education at San Jose State College. Eventually he moved to Fresno to attend Fresno State where he completed his teaching credentials.

An outstanding, well liked, down to earth, effective principal, Bob made sure he was at the gate to say good morning to his “kids” each day and also to give them a goodbye at the end of the day, noting, “It’s probably the only time some of the kids get that acknowledgment.” A man who saw the potential in his students, he pursued applications for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Fresno High, finally gaining the prestigious recognition in 2002 with 8 students. In 2010 there were over 500 students enrolled in the program. Now, Bob will be responsible for overseeing the application of the program kindergarten through12th grade starting at Dailey Elementary Charter School, continuing to Wawona Middle School and finishing at FHS.

Many, many honors preceded Bob’s retirement from Teacher of the Year in 1982-83; Heart of the City Award in Education, twice; two awards from ACSA Region 9; FUSD Excellence in Education finalist, twice; and many others too numerous to mention here. Bob achieved the first ever life time membership in the Fresno High Alumni Association. More recently, Bob took a fully clothed dive into the new 35 meter swimming pool during the dedication ceremonies this spring, celebrating that FHS has one of the best athletic facilities in Fresno Unified.

Personally, Bob’s wife Verna and his four grand children will be looking forward to having a little more time to spend with him. His granddaughters Ashley and Mikena, attended FHS, in fact, Bob will return in the summer of 2011 to present a diploma to Mikena. Grandson’s Michael and Jonathan are part of the Reyes’ large, supportive family, too. So, when you see Bob, wish him a happy retirement and thank him for turning around the School of Champions into an internationally known program of kids with high levels of education and the desires to continue to college. You can find him at Northwest Church or the Community Food Bank where he is serving as interim chief executive officer.