SUBMITTED TO CONNECT-BRIDGEPORT

 

Changes are made every day, old roads get paved towards new routes, an old-fashioned store transforms into the trendiest new store, and new city council members swear into office everyday, but it is an uncommon transition to see a new principal takes charge.

        

Within two years time at Bridgeport High, the community has experienced one of the most dramatic transitions seen for some time. Last year, Mrs. Renee Mathews emerged as the school’s vice-principal, and this year, after eighteen years, Mr. Mark Defazio, who has guided a generation of Bridgeport’s leaders through often what is considered the most pivotal part of their lives, who has brought to this school a legacy of excellence decided to call it quits. This initiated the selection Mr. Mark Jones as vice-principal, and Mr. Matt DeMotto, Defazio’s right-hand man, taking the helm.  

        

This is a tough act to follow; it is hard to imagine the thoughts our new principal, Matt DeMotto had when he got that life-changing news, “the feeling was relief the first second because a twelve year interview was long enough. I honestly did not feel nervous because I had felt that I had done all I can do, exhausted all the effort I could. At that point, it was out of my hands. Despite this, the next second was really when the enormity of all the responsibilities starts to hit you,” said DeMotto.

      

 Even though the workload of this position may have seemed daunting, DeMotto was in a more fortunate position to handle his new position, as he has worked beside his long-time friend Mr. Defazio for twelve years, but even he will admit, those were big shoes to fill, “In my mind, this administration is a continuation of the blueprint that was already left in place. Of course, each year there will be little changes and subtle differences. But to the point, I am not looking to fill anyone’s shoes. This school has never been about me nor Mr. Defazio; we are people that prefer to stay humble. This is the kind of attitude administration needs to have because at the end of the day it’s not all about us,” said DeMotto.

       

While expressing a desire to stay the course with Bridgeport’s agenda of outstanding achievements, DeMotto will have a couple new ideas in mind, “The impact we will have on our students can only be answered in the coming years. The factors this school faces, the culture of this community will greatly affect the actions of the decision-makers. I think the overwhelming thing I want is for everyone to respect one another, which really is not a new precedent. If we all can achieve that, we will continue to have a great school.

       

“Every year, whether it be our first or last, a goal near the top of the list is continued academic improvement. We strive to see more students winning merit-based scholarships, the resources are there, we just need to give everyone the extra push to reach their full, absolute potential. We had eighty-seven juniors this last year earn a high enough score SAT to qualify for the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship, but some of these students do not have a qualifying GPA score. That is why we really are going to start pushing as early as possible to. We want to see these scores improve,” said DeMotto.

       

It looks like Bridgeport High will be having another competitive, productive, and outstanding year. An era of Defazio leadership has ended, but, like everything, change must come. DeMotto’s administration has begun the extraordinary process of guiding a fresh set of new leaders in Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Vincent Pinti  is a student in Mr. Brad Bonnenberger’s journalism class. These stories are submitted to, and not assigned by, Connect-Bridgeport for publication. Photos by Brad Bonnenberger and Kobe Insani.