The new principal for the next school year at Doddridge County High School will be a familiar name to many here in Bridgeport and throughout Harrison County.

David Mazza, the former Bridgeport Middle School Principal who served in various educational capacities for decades in Harrison County, accepted the position after he was approved at the Tuesday, April 16 meeting of the Doddridge County Board of Education. 

Mazza will be stepping down from his position as vice principal and athletic director at Liberty High School. He took the LHS position on Jan. 3, 2023, after stepping down from a long tenure at BMS. 

For 14 years at the school situated along Johnson Avenue, Mazza served as either principal or as the assistant principal to Carole Crawford. He managed the assistant’s position for eight years and was well into his run on his sixth year at BMS when he opted to take the job at Liberty. 

“Liberty has been a great learning curve, and a great place to work,” said Mazza. “Most of my career has been spent at the middle school level. Once I entered the high school level, I truly found my niche in working with high school students.” 

Mazza’s move to DCHS occurred when he learned an educational door of opportunity was open after he attended a Bulldogs’ girls’ varsity basketball game in West Union against Tyler Consolidated. Mazza was in attendance as the Bulldogs were paying honor to Liberty educator Ryan Lantz who was tragically killed in an accident at LHS that same week.

“(Doddridge County Athletic Director) Scott Robey called and said the kids would like to wear our warmups to honor Ryan,” said Mazza, who said Tyler Consolidated also wore Liberty’s school colors in ribbons in their hair. “We made that happen, and I attended the game and got exposed to the crowd, and that student body. It was weird, but I felt like I was home and when the opportunity arose, I figured if I didn’t act on it, I might miss out on something special because it would likely never come again.”

He did act on it. And that action has led to him serving as principal for the first time ever at the high school level.

“Doddridge County has an excellent school system. The entire county is just one big community. I love how the people support and make their schools a priority,” Mazza said.

Mazza has worked in four of the five Harrison County school districts throughout the course of his career that covers three and a half decades.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed throughout my career. I have worked with so many people and students in this county. I have made so many friends the past 35 years working in education.”

The long-time educator did admit it was “bittersweet” to leave a school system where he spent the bulk of his career. Mazza said he will cherish every memory he has from Harrison County and is excited and ready to embark on this new chapter.

Ironically, Mazza began his teaching career at Liberty. He began as an American Government teacher at the Davisson Run school.

Mazza will begin his duties at Doddridge County July 1. 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows David Mazza during his final year at BMS, while the Doddridge County girls are shown below after their basketball game where they wore Liberty warmup shirts to honor the passing of Liberty teacher Ryan Lantz.