This week's City Face is Bridgeport High School teacher and recent birthday girl, Amy Lohmann. Meet her and her family here!

 

Hi Amy! Thanks for being today's City Face. Tell me about your history in Bridgeport.

I’ve lived in Bridgeport for 27 years. I’m from Petersburg, WV, but was hired at BHS as I was finishing my master’s degree from WVU.

 

Tell me about your family.

My husband Mike and I are celebrating our 25^th anniversary this August. We have two amazing daughters, Maggie—who is starting dual law and public administration degrees at WVU this fall, and Claire—who is beginning her sophomore year at WVU as a nursing student. Both are Type 1 diabetics who amaze me everyday with their strength and determination. Mike is an amazing husband and dad to our girls.  I am super close with my dad, brother and sisters, and nieces and nephews. I am tremendously thankful for my large family.

 

Do you have pets?

We have a nine-year-old rescue dog named Addie and a two-year-old beagle named Olive. They are the sweetest and provide opportunities for exercise and stress-relief. I can’t imagine life without a dog. We also have a ten-year-old cat named Maisy who thinks she rules the house.

 

Tell me about your teaching job at BHS.

I have been at BHS for 27 years, teaching English and Creative Writing.

 

What are your favorite passtimes/hobbies?

I love to spend time with my family, read, boat, kayak, travel, and shop.

 

What is your favorite place in the city?

Bridgeport has so many spots I love. Bridgeport United Methodist Church has been pivotal in countless family memories, Compton Park will always be associated with my daughters’ birthday parties and sled riding, the city pool was where I spent summers with my girls, and Main Street is the site of Light Up Night—one of my favorite nights of the year.

 

What do you love most about Bridgeport? Why is it such a good place to raise a family?

I love the sense of community and family here. I actually really love Bridgeport sports. Cheering for my students brings me great joy. My own daughters ran cross country, which is a family-oriented, supportive sport. Claire pole vaulted for BHS track, and watching her compete at regional and state track meets are some of my favorite memories.

 

Tell me about your favorite memories made here in Bridgeport.

Mike and I were married in Bridgeport and many of our best memories have been made here with our girls. I have loved watching my students excel in the classroom, on the stage, and on the courts and fields in Bridgeport.  The opportunities our daughters had in academics, athletics, and the arts provided countless memories.  Some of my favorites were in the BHS auditorium and at the BHS track.

 

What is your favorite spot outside of Bridgeport?

My dad’s backyard in Petersburg, WV. Visits home are filled with love, laughter, and my dad’s wisdom.

 

What is your favorite place outside of West Virginia?

We spend a great deal of time at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, a place where I find myself happiest and most relaxed.  We also love the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I am a water girl! I also LOVE DC and NYC.

 

Tell me about some of your favorite things.

My family, my dogs, WVU sports, sitting by the water, reading a good book, watching my students when something connects, going to the movies, Broadway musicals, dancing, thrift shopping, laughing—I’m pretty easy to please.

 

I love pizza and steak of any kind.  Mia’s, Oliverio’s, El Rincon are some of my favorite restaurants. Few things beat a Toni’s banana milkshake or an Avalanche from Dairy Crème Corner. I LOVE chocolate.

 

My favorite color is red. 

 

And as for music, I love all genres—from 80’s hits to Broadway tunes to Christian rock can be heard blaring on my radio.

 

What's your best childhood memory?

I had a pretty idyllic childhood, marked by the perfect balance of freedom and structure. I was a little ornery but always knew I was loved beyond measure and was hesitant to break my parents’ rules. We spent many days fishing the banks of the North Fork outside of Petersburg.  My dad was a DNR officer and I remember lots of times we had interesting animals in our house: deer, owls, snakes, etc. My parents were and still are the models I hope to emulate.

 

What is something interesting about yourself you would like to add?

My students love the story of how I wanted a 10-speed bike but couldn’t afford it, so I collected pledges in a St. Jude Bike-a-thon and rode 36 miles on my rickety brown family bike to win a shiny new, red 10-speed…only to have it run over by my best friend’s dad shortly thereafter.