Lonnie Johnson entered his robot, “The Linex” into the 1968 Alabama Science Fair, and traveled from Mobile to Tuscaloosa with his teacher, Walter Ward.

On Monday, Johnson and Ward were all smiles as Williamson High honored them at its groundbreaking for a new learning center that will bear Johnson’s name. Also recognized was Johnnie Kennedy, another of Williamson High’s participants at that 1968 Science Fair.

The 12,000-square-foot, $4 million “Lonnie G. Johnson Educational Complex” will be built on the Williamson campus located in the Maysville community next to Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.

It will include eight classrooms, a science lab, an assistant principal’s office, and a multi-purpose room. Construction is expected to take 14 months.

Johnson, an inventor and scientific thinker who’s world-renowned as the creator of the Super Soaker water gun, said the naming of the educational wing left him “totally overwhelmed.”

But the groundbreaking was only one part of the celebration. Johnson also praised Williamson for launching a FIRST Robotics team.

“Seeing everyone stepping up and embracing the idea of a starting a robotics program, and the impact that it will have on kids … I don’t have the words to describe it,” said Johnson.

The FIRST Robotics team, which involves 22 students this year, will also be located inside the new educational complex. The team is led by Jeremy Stradford, a team mentor and biology instructor.

Kennedy is also serving as a coach and mentor for the program, which will compete this year in the multi-state regional competition that will be held March 13-19 in Huntsville.

“A lot of times an environment plays a big role in what the students are capable of doing,” said Stradford. “We are hoping the environment continues to inspire them and just puts them in a place of where they can be proud of Williamson High School.”

Johnson credited his parents, and Ward, for helping to inspire him as he advanced from Williamson to Tuskegee University, the Air Force and NASA. In the 1980s, he developed the Super Soaker water gun which would go on to become one of the hottest-selling toys of the 1990s. It was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2015.

Johnson, who holds about 120 patents, lives in Atlanta where he runs Johnson Research and Development Co. Inc.

Johnson credited his parents, and Ward, for helping to inspire him as he advanced from Williamson to Tuskegee University, the Air Force and NASA. In the 1980s, he developed the Super Soaker water gun which would go on to become one of the hottest-selling toys of the 1990s.

“I would take the children to wherever I thought they could go to participate and excel," he said.

Ward can vividly recall Johnson’s “Linex” robot, and the day that the future inventor brought it to life for him.

“The Linex” appeared not to want to do anything. Then, suddenly, “The robot raised his hands and waved at me,” Ward said.

Johnson said he constructed “The Linex” inside his parent’s house and even played hooky one day to finish the job. But, needing help and supplies to create posters to present the robot at the big science fair, he nervously dialed Ward’s number.

“I called Mr. Ward with a heart in hand because I didn’t know if I would be in trouble or not from staying home from school,” Johnson said.

He told Ward, the lead faculty member for the science club, about his predicament. “He showed up with the poster board and everything I needed and he did not say a word about me not showing up to school,” Johnson said.

Said Johnson, “Having teachers who care is the most important thing you can have for a child. We think it’s just words, but it’s more than words. When you see greatness, they will live up to your expectations. If you have faith in children and believe in them, they will believe in themselves.”