Brown pulled the microphone away, then buried his face on Prier’s shoulders.

“I never expected to do that,” Brown said later. “That wasn’t like me.”

On Monday, Dec. 7, Brown, a 1979 Middletown High School graduate, returned to his hometown to present the annual Rosa Parks Day awards — that he finances — to local students and teachers.

This was Brown’s fourth year presenting the awards, but this time meant more because Prier was a recipient.

Prier was one of six Rosa Parks Day honorees, joining Sara Nori, Louise Truss, Jennifer Heard, Marla Marsh and the Rev. Gregory Tyus on stage.

Prier has mentored Brown since he was a sixth-grader at McKinley Elementary and Prier was the school’s football coach.

Through the years, the two have remained closer than some fathers and sons. They talk weekly.

“He helped plant seeds in my life,” Brown said of Prier, who has been associated with the local school district for nearly 40 years.

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