City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on November 15, 2020 from City Faces
Meet this week's Bridgeport City Face - a very familiar one to Johnson Elementary - Vicki Huffman!
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.
I have lived in Bridgeport for the last 15 years. I grew up in Harrison County and graduated from South Harrison High School. I lived in Fairmont for a while after going to Fairmont State College but knew I wanted to get back closer to home. I completed my student teaching at Johnson Elementary under the supervision of 2nd Grade teacher, Sue Poole and Principal Myra Townsend in the fall of 1983.
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.
I am happily married to my husband Jay Matthews. He is originally from North Carolina. I have one son, Tyler Morgan. He and his wife Bailey (Boylen) Morgan live in Alaska on the Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks.
What about pets? Jay and I have one black lab named Shadow. We have three grand-pups: Buddy, Prescott, and Zeke.
Where do you work and what do you do there?
I have worked for Harrison County Schools for over 36 years. I taught 
elementary school for the first 15 years. I was a County Curriculum Coordinator for 7 years before going into administration. I was an Assistant Principal at Johnson Elementary from August 2006-2011 and then JES’s Principal from 2011 until present. I am blessed to get to spend the majority of my day with children I adore.
elementary school for the first 15 years. I was a County Curriculum Coordinator for 7 years before going into administration. I was an Assistant Principal at Johnson Elementary from August 2006-2011 and then JES’s Principal from 2011 until present. I am blessed to get to spend the majority of my day with children I adore.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love attending sporting events. I especially love traveling with my mom, husband, and son. We have been on some very nice trips with more planned. Within the last few years, we have traveled to Italy, Spain, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Bahamas, Key West, Alaska, and various states within the US. We have a trip planned to Israel in 2021.
Favorite Bridgeport spot?
My favorite Bridgeport spot is on Ridgeway Drive which I call home. We are one of the panoramic views in Bridgeport which showcases beautiful sunsets. We have farmland behind us where I see deer, turkeys, and wildlife. I used to see cows quite often and it reminded me of our family farm.
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?
Bridgeport is a great community with great parent support. The City of Bridgeport is a forward-thinking community that promotes family and the youth. They provide multiple events that brings everyone together.
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...
Bridgeport Football Games, especially the State Football Championship Title of 
2013 held in Wheeling. My son, Tyler Morgan was Middle Linebacker and played on the defensive line for the Indians. The snow covered field made for an exciting 14-13 win over #1 ranked Wayne that year! This also set the pace for the next few years winning the football championship title again in 2014, 2015, 2018, & 2019.
2013 held in Wheeling. My son, Tyler Morgan was Middle Linebacker and played on the defensive line for the Indians. The snow covered field made for an exciting 14-13 win over #1 ranked Wayne that year! This also set the pace for the next few years winning the football championship title again in 2014, 2015, 2018, & 2019.
My other favorite memory was the building of the new Johnson Elementary School. We are very thankful to the City of Bridgeport community, the Harrison County Board of Education, SBA, Johnson Elementary PTA, and those that passed the Harrison County School LEVY. Without the support, it would not have been possible. I started out my career as a student teacher at Johnson Elementary in the early 80’s and plan on finishing out my career at Johnson Elementary. I am NOT planning on retiring any time soon, for those of you that are wondering. I love my school and plan on being here until the end of my career.
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?
Our family farm near West Milford. I have a lot of fond memories of growing up on the farm and helping my family in their businesses whether it was in Huffman’s Meat and Produce Market in which my mom ran or playing on the work sites of Huffman Construction which my dad ran.
How about your favorite place outside of WV?
I love traveling. I do not have a favorite place but I truly enjoy the warm weather and the sound of water either crashing against the shores or falling from the rocks.
What are some of your favorite things?
I love kids. My husband and I work with our church Children’s Ministry. We also help with District Level Kidz Camp, one week every summer in Gore, VA. We have been doing this for approximately 15 years.
I love family time and going to the beach.
Food/restaurant?
I enjoy many local restaurants. I am a meat and potatoes girl. I also really like Italian.
Favorite color?
My favorite color used to be blue but now my colors are red and black.
Music genre/artist?
I enjoy listening to Christian Music. My second choice would be the oldies but goodies.
What is your best childhood memory?
Scoring 52 points in one basketball game, my junior year of high school. It still stands as a Harrison County Record. It was a WV State Record at one time. I went on to play basketball at Fairmont State College where I was named All-American. In 2001, I was inducted in to the Fairmont State College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…
As I’ve been told, Mark DeFazio and I are the only two athletes in Harrison County that have lettered in five sports. The five sports were: Varsity Cheerleader, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, and Boys Baseball for me. I’m not sure of Mark’s, I’m assuming golf instead of cheerleading. 
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