PHOTOS: Superintendent retires from SD78 with car parade, Indigenous honour ceremony

Karen Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photoKaren Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photo
Karen Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photoKaren Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photo
Well wishers attend a very well-attended surprise parade for Karen Nelson, who is retiring at superintendent after 11 years in the role. Barry Stewart photoWell wishers attend a very well-attended surprise parade for Karen Nelson, who is retiring at superintendent after 11 years in the role. Barry Stewart photo
Karen Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photoKaren Nelson, retiring SD78 superintendent, waves to well-wishers from outside the school board office Friday, June 26. Barry Stewart photo
Brian and Laura Menagh, the latter a teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School, wave to departing superintendent Karen Nelson from their ‘66 Valiant. Barry Stewart photoBrian and Laura Menagh, the latter a teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School, wave to departing superintendent Karen Nelson from their ‘66 Valiant. Barry Stewart photo

Attendees guessed at least 100 cars took part in a surprise goodbye parade for retiring superintendent Karen Nelson.

The long-serving leader at the Fraser Cascade School District was first honoured by Indigenous education partners around noon on Friday (June 62). The superintendent was gifted and was pictured in a woven cedar hat, blankets and a Métis sash during the parade.

Nelson announced her retirement in January, after 29 years at the school district. Eleven of those years she was superintendent. She will be succeeded by Balan Moorthy, who most recently was principal at Langley’s Walnut Grove Secondary, he takes on his new role Aug. 1.

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