Miss. (WDAM) – A 5-year-old Hattiesburg boy hopes to turn his dreams of becoming a superhero into reality, but his mother says his journey is already a story of determination
Bryson Williams, a kindergartner at Bellevue Elementary School, is competing in the national Stan Lee Super Kid competition. His mother, Inez Johnson, says he advanced into the Top 5 of his group through public voting.
The competition gives children a chance to win $25,000, four VIP passes to LA Comic-Con and an opportunity to be featured as a superhero in a comic book.
But Johnson says the competition means much more to her family.
Bryson has experienced speech delays that made it difficult for him to communicate and express himself. Johnson says that through hard work and support, her son has made tremendous progress.
“For me, it’s just the words, being able to express himself, and also I noticed that he gets more friends because now I can have a conversation,” Johnson said.
She says Bryson continues to face learning challenges, but she’s proud of the progress he’s making both inside and outside the classroom.
“I always want him to know how proud I am of him. Every day I tell him how incredible he is and that he’s loved,” Johnson said.
Johnson says their family relocated to Hattiesburg to escape domestic violence and begin a new chapter. Since then, she has worked to provide Bryson with a safe environment where he can continue learning and growing.
Now, with support from people in Mississippi and beyond, Bryson is competing for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.
And Bryson has a simple message for those following his journey.
“Please vote for me,” he said.
Voting for the group finals ends Thursday, Oct. 22. Supporters can cast a free vote every 24 hours, while the competition also offers additional votes through donations.
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