At the Lenoir County School Board meeting, it was announced that Superintendent Brent Williams was awarded the 2020/2021 Southeast Region Superintendent of the Year and is a nominee for State Superintendent of the Year. The district employees celebrated his success with a surprise car parade at the Lenoir County School Board building.

“Today's parade was a great example of the admiration our staff and community have for our superintendent. There is no one more deserving of this honor and the parade was a very small way for us to celebrate Mr. Williams,” said Melissa Lynch, the district's digital learning instructional coordinator.

“Mr. Williams is a fantastic leader,” said Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II. “He is calm and he is steady. His demeaner is what makes him great. He is fair. He loves the children of Lenoir County. It is my pleasure to work for him. I think everybody in our system would give you the same sentiments.”

Members of the school district, school board members, county and city officials rode in their cars with signs, balloons, and even silly string as they passed Williams who thanked each participant as they drove past.

“This is very exciting. I had no idea about this,” said Superintendent Brent Williams. “They told me to step outside for a second and check something on the grounds. I didn’t know what they were planning but you know its great.”

Well wishes and support were carried within each vehicle as the cars honked and made noise in support of their superintendent with signs and balloons that congratulated Williams.

“He has led us in the last five years to pull us out of some places we weren’t proud of to a point now where we are really proud to be Lenoir County pubic school employees and we are just grateful for him and grateful for his leadership and wish him well on the next level of competition,” said Harvey.

The leadership Williams brings to Lenoir County is appreciated by those who work with him.

“It’s certainly a great honor and privilege to lead this district every day and to work with such fine educators and other staff members it’s truly a blessing to be able to serve in this capacity. And today is representative of that. Folks who really want to acknowledge the work and the leadership and the service of each other.”

Williams’ family joined in the festivities and joined him in the photo op at the end.

“It’s truly a blessing to work with people like that. I appreciate them. I appreciate them including my family and for such a great surprise. It’s very rewarding. I’m very thankful for it and for them.”