I know we’re among several families who pleaded with Bridgeport High School Principal Mark DeFazio to hold off retirement until this year’s graduating class made it through.

 

He has been an integral part of all four of our children’s education and subsequently the start of their adult lives.

 

Our oldest daughter Dea graduated in 2001. During her four years at BHS, Mark was assistant to Principal Lindy Bennett, always making himself available to students and their needs. For our family, one of the most memorable interactions was during preparation for graduation 2001. It had been scheduled for outdoors, at Wayne Jamison Field, but the weather forecast wasn’t good. It was important to students that the ceremony be held outdoors and Dea had made that wish known to Mr. DeFazio, communicating regularly with him the week leading up to graduation. 

 

During the early morning hours of graduation day, plans were still up in the air; both the football field and BHS gym were being set up. Despite the heavy dark clouds that hovered over Bridgeport, the event went on at Wayne Jamison Field and the bleachers were filled with fans of the BHS class of 2001. While the eyes of other moms welled up with tears, I had a little diversion. I couldn’t take my eyes off those storm clouds. My vision was that those clouds would break and torrid rains would fall upon the hundreds gathered there. I kept hearing Dea’s voice in my head, assuring Mr. DeFazio that it would all work out if diplomas were distributed outside. And, it did.

 

When Dea was a senior, her younger sister Brittany was a freshman and when Brittany was a senior, her younger brother Jeffrey was a freshman. So, we had six more years under Mr. DeFazio. During some of those years, he was the head administrator. More than once, we received a phone call about whether or not one of the Perine students was supposed to be out to lunch or late for class, etc.

 

Mark always took a personal interest in his students; their education and welfare. He put trust in them and looked out for them like they were his own.

 

And while running a high school - one of the most recognized in the state - he has also attended countless athletic, music and theater events, rode in parades and was a good sport at student assemblies; obliging in whatever games and activities the students cooked up. 

 

A couple years ago, he stood before a group of graduating seniors, their parents and other supporters during commencement exercises on Wayne Jamison Field. He said he wanted to play a song for them. As Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” played, I watched the faces of those students. They were listening intently to the message set forth in the lyrics; about making good decisions throughout life, realizing what was important and, yes, always being humble 

and kind to others. I saw more than one graduate shed a tear. I was touched as well.

 

At last year’s graduation, he played the song again. I was hoping he would. At this year’s ceremony, which is less than a month away, my youngest son Jacob will be among the graduates. I cannot believe it. He was just a tiny tyke when his sisters and brother made the walk across that stage. Here we are 17 years after our first BHS graduate completed her studies at mine and Jeff’s alma mater. And this time, we have even more memories, including those of Mr. Mark DeFazio.

 

Talk about going out with a bang. What else could have happened this year? Among the most memorable were a 10-day work stoppage of school personnel and the flooding of school facilities and property. During the teacher walkout, I watched Mark and how he carried himself with nothing but class. He was anywhere and everywhere he needed to be, working calmly and diligently. He was selling tickets at the BHS play, “Barnum.” He was taking care of business in his office, including countless meetings. He even found himself coaching both the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams in the post-season. Always confident, always humble and always kind.

 

Our Jacob was among members of the boys’ team. I know what those boys thought of Mark; his leadership, his coaching ability and his vote of confidence in the players. He and his assistants (volunteer coach, Paul Smith, and assistant principal, Renee Matthews) led both teams to victories, helping them advance to the Charleston Civic Center for the state tournament. Having that opportunity play at the state level is one those kids will never forget.

 

And I am so glad Jacob got to know his principal in a different light; got to share a goal about something he was so passionate about.

 

We are fans of Mark DeFazio and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.