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Rachelle Brown was busy Monday receiving gifts and balloons from her friends and co-workers.

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Principal Rachelle Brown reaches for a gift from fifth grade student Brandt Gallet.

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Rachelle Brown stood behind a table filled with gifts and balloons given to her by friends,
co-workers, parents and students.

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Parade participants had signs on the side of their vehicles congratulating LeBlanc Principal Rachelle Brown for winning the state elementary principal of the year honors.

State’s Top Elementary Principal

LeBlanc Elementary honors Brown with parade in front of the school

LeBlanc Elementary Principal Rachelle Brown had a great weekend, days before school was to begin.
Public school in Vermilion Parish officially began Tuesday. However, over the weekend, Brown learned that she had been selected the 2021 Louisiana Elementary Principal of the Year. It was announced Friday through a virtual ceremony of the Cecil J. Picard Educator Awards Gala.
On Monday, the day before the school began, a surprise drive-by parade was held at LeBlanc Elementary.
Brown was not expecting the parade. She was at school Monday, preparing for the opening of school.
Her co-workers convinced her to walk outside because of the sound of a fire truck.
"They told me that the fire department was here," Brown said. "It was somewhat believable, and they weren't lying."
When she walked outside, she was greeted by a fire truck and a long line of vehicles. The parade featured teachers, friends, and parents driving their students who attended LeBlanc Elementary. Brown acknowledged every vehicle.
"It's wonderful," she Brown about the parade. "I was very surprised; all of this is just overwhelmingly amazing. I truly feel loved and appreciated, and again, this is a testament to our amazing school community."
Brown has been at LeBlanc Elementary for two years. She helped start its Leader in Me program and the parish's first French Immersion Program.
Vermilion Parish also had a state teacher finalist. Abbeville High Ninth Grade English teacher Carrie Vario was also recognized as a state high school teacher finalist.
Brown is the second principal from Vermilion Parish to win State Principal of the Year. Tommy Byler won the high school State Principal of the Year Award a couple of years ago while at North Vermilion High. He is now the parish superintendent.

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