Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Lorie Son

LT Class of 2018
Director of School, Williams School
Trustee, PGISD School Board

From her time in Leadership Texarkana, Lorie says she learned: “To make a difference in our community you have to ‘Get Your Hands Dirty!’  Leaders of all types of organizations and fields have to put intentional focus on finding an area that will improve Texarkana, USA, and personally devote effort and time to see community missions accomplished.  I have also learned the value in partnerships. Texarkana is full of successful organizations with strong leaders.  When resources and strong will are pulled together across a community, progress will occur.”

Lorie believes that leadership is having a vision and inspiring others to work together to achieve it. “Good leaders know how to get ahead of their time. They see opportunities where others can’t and know how to spread the enthusiasm for their vision to try to make it a reality.”

Lorie’s passion is for Education, and is personally committed to building and supporting an educational community of excellence.  She currently has the honor of serving as the director of the Williams School. “We devote our time to helping students achieve their greatest potential academically, socially, and spiritually”. Lorie also serves as a trustee for PGISD.  “I strongly believe in doing all we can as a community to equip the children of Texarkana will the skills needed to be successful in a competitive and complex world.”  

Lorie was excited to attend the recent REDI launch event.  She says “I see a bright future ahead for a united Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas.  The same holds true for education.  There is great value in community education systems working together to achieve common goals. I would love to see the goal to increase the number of people with higher education credentials in our region achieved.  Everyone doing their part in their field to have 60% of our community with some type of higher level certification or degree by the year 2030 will take what we can do together as a community to the next level. 

“Texarkana is a great place to raise a family.  I appreciate the quality education systems, the many kids and youth church programs offered by local churches, and the families my family gets to live life with.  Texarkana is the kind of community where people still have that southern friendliness and a sincere care about others. I love living life with so many that still see the glass half full and value working hard to pave the way for the next generation.” 

Lorie Son serves as Director of the Williams School in Texarkana, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Texas A&M, Texarkana. She began her career in education at Pleasant Grove Elementary in 2002. She now serves as a trustee on the Pleasant Grove School Board. She and her husband, Scotty, enjoy raising their three daughters Addie (11), Laney (6) and Piper (6). Lorie and her family attend the Williams Memorial United Methodist Church.

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

To make a difference in our community you have to “Get Your Hands Dirty!” Leaders of all types of organizations and fields have to put intentional focus on finding an area that will improve Texarkana, USA, and personally devote effort and time to see community missions accomplished. I have also learned the value in partnerships. Texarkana is full of successful organizations with strong leaders. When resources and strong will are pulled together across a community, progress will occur.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is having a vision and inspiring others to work together to achieve it. Effective leadership involves supporting the team that is leading and equipping all with the tools needed to get the job done in the most effective way. Problem solving and creativity also play a key role in leadership. An individual in a leadership position not only has to possess these skills but be able to encourage all members of the team to strengthen their skills in these areas to benefit the team as a whole in accomplishing the mission at hand.

Good leaders know how to get ahead of their time. They see opportunities where others can’t and know how to spread the enthusiasm for their vision to try to make it a reality.

For what community organization or issue or opportunity do you have a passion and invest your time, talent or money?

Education... I strive to build and support an educational community of excellence. I currently have the honor of serving as the director of the Williams School. We devote our time to helping students achieve their greatest potential academically, socially, and spiritually. I also serve as a trustee for PGISD. I strongly believe in doing all we can as a community to equip the children of Texarkana will the skills needed to be successful in a competitive and complex world.

If you had one wish and could make a difference of significance in Texarkana (your small corner) what would you do with that one wish and why?

My wish would be for a united community working together for a stronger Texarkana, USA. I was excited to attend the REDI launch event. I see a bright future ahead for a united Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas. The same holds true for education. There is great value in community education systems working together to achieve common goals. I would love to see the goal to increase the number of people with higher education credentials in our region achieved. Everyone doing their part in their field to have 60% of our community with some type of higher level certification or degree by the year 2030 will take what we can do together as a community to the next level.

What do many people not know about you that you would to share with us? What are some of your passions and hobbies?

I really enjoy the little things in life. I look forward to things like the first cooler morning of the season when you know fall is just around the corner, tucking my girls in at night with my husband, and a dinner on a patio with good friends and good conversation. l love the outdoors! Some of my favorite outdoor activities are family trips to the lake, watching the first blooms of spring, and warming up with a cup of hot chocolate while Christmas caroling on a cold winter night.

What do you most love to do in Texarkana?

Go out to eat, of course! We do have great restaurants in Texarkana. I also enjoy taking my kids to Bringle Lake Park, bike riding on the nice bike trails around town, and going to Southern Topics for the best snow cone ever!

What do you most love about Texarkana, in general?

Texarkana is a great place to raise a family. I appreciate the quality education systems, the many kids and youth church programs offered by local churches, and the families my family gets to live life with. Texarkana is the kind of community where people still have that southern friendliness and a sincere care about others. I love living life with so many that still see the glass half full and value working hard to pave the way for the next generation.

Lorie's personal mission for significance to the community is to ... "Use my passion for education to reach our youngest community members and up through our community education institutes. I will play a key role in building and supporting an educational community of excellence. I will work to equip our children of Texarkana with skills needed to be successful in a competitive world and will strive to plant seeds of community ownership. I will work to increase the number of college graduates in Texarkana by creating the support and tools needed to continue their education post high school. I want to help create powerful educational experiences to impact youth and encourage them to stay or return to Texarkana after college and invest their talents in the next generation, thus keeping the Texarkana Community vibrant and strong."

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