BELLMEAD, Texas (KWTX) - Colleagues, family members and community leaders gathered Thursday afternoon to surprise Dr. Sharon M. Shields with a celebration marking her 20th anniversary as Superintendent of the La Vega Independent School District.

The come-and-go reception, held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Vega ISD Administration Building caught the veteran administrator completely off guard."I am so surprised. I had no idea that this was being planned," Shields said.

"I knew something, you know, maybe some refreshments and district staff, but it's just phenomenal. My church family is here. My pastor is coming through the door right now, and it's just such a great turnout of my family, my school family, and my church family. It's overwhelming, to be perfectly honest."Shields officially began her tenure as superintendent on Oct. 1, 2006, after being appointed by the school board that July.