ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Lori Cowger Dittman
WHERE I COME FROM
A native West Virginian and Braxton Countian, Lori was born to Gary and Doris Cowger of Flatwoods on February 2, 1968. Growing up, she attended Flatwoods Elementary School and was a member of the Flatwoods Girl Scout Troop. Lori also attended Sutton Middle School and is a 1986 graduate of Braxton County High School. While in school, Lori was active in student government, National Honor Society, Rhododendron Girls State, the Green and Gold Banner, various clubs, basketball, track, and the first girls’ softball team for the school. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a degree in Social Studies Comprehensive 5-12.
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After college, Lori married Will Dittman and lived in Frederick, Maryland, while working for the Gap as an assistant manager and district trainer for the Baltimore West District. Missing home and family, one year later Will and Lori returned to West Virginia.
MY CAREER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT
Upon their return, Lori began working as a substitute teacher for Braxton County Schools and as a road traffic controller during summers. She also worked for Human Resource Development Foundation training the unemployed for reentering the workforce. Lori is also the former owner of Elk River Inn Restaurant in Gassaway. In 1998, Lori and Will became parents with the birth of their daughter, Hannah Louise, who is now in graduate school at West Virginia University.
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Lori began teaching full-time in 2006 and completed a Master of Special Education in 2010. Currently the West Virginia Studies Teacher for 8th grade at Braxton County Middle School, with almost sixteen years in the school system, Lori has enjoyed working with students both inside and outside the classroom.
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Through teaching West Virginia Studies, Lori has developed an even deeper love for our state and been given opportunities to learn with the students about our government. As the sponsor for Youth and Government, which provides an up-close experience of our state’s three branches of government, Lori has been inspired to get involved in community activities and West Virginia state government.
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Lori has served the community in several ways from t-ball coach to middle school girls’ basketball coach, as well as volunteering with mission trip projects locally and abroad with Gassaway Baptist Church. She has worked with Samaritans Purse helping with disaster relief from floods and hurricanes. In Roane County, Lori was part of a rebuild for a family after the 2016 flood. In her hometown of Gassaway, she has served with the Gassaway Area Improvement Council to help revitalize the town. Lori has helped organize race events in area 5K races and a triathlon. Recently, she has become involved with the Elk River Trail Foundation and Trail Town Committee for Gassaway.
In 2019, she was inspired by a love of kayaking to open Elk River Paddle and Yak, a kayak rental and shuttle service from Sutton to Duck. A lover of the outdoors and running, Lori started her own quest to run in every county of beautiful West Virginia, having currently completed races in 41 counties.
MY DECISION TO RUN FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES
"Do all the good you can..."
When Lori learned of Delegate Boggs’ retirement from the House of Delegates, she was approached by several community members about running for the House. She has a passion for West Virginia, and she loves central West Virginia. Lori feels representing the 63rd District is a wonderful opportunity to represent the citizens, help make a positive change, and see our area and state flourish.
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In May of 2019, the Braxton County High School graduating class invited Lori to speak at their commencement. One of the quotes she shared with them was by
John Wesley, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the
ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the
people you can, as long as ever you can." That is what she intends to do for
the people she would have the honor to represent.