Off the Track

A history teacher with a passion for Star Wars, a flamboyant Spanish teacher, and a chipper librarian were the three candidates who nominated themselves to take on the role of Head of Upper School next school year. Knowing they were “running” for the title, they quickly became the talk of all girls in the Upper School. Girls discussed their likes and dislikes of the three, and tough, perhaps intimidating, interviews took place. And although each of them would have been a lovely choice, our down-to-earth librarian Ms. Jolayne Gotzkowsky was chosen for the job.            Through the years Upper School McGehee girls have not always been easy to please. Bright, cheerful, and upbeat, Upper School girls are not afraid to voice their opinions in times of good and bad. “Did you hear who’s running!?” That was the question discussion in the halls constantly buzzed around. It was as if there was a big election of “Who was most like Ms. Wargo?” occurring right in the heart of the school. Students were indeed looking at the candidates and comparing them to who was most like Ms. Wargo. To some Ms. Wargo leaving McGehee seemed like the end of the world. Junior Remy Robert commented, “At first, I was afraid that everything would fall apart without Ms. Wargo- I firmly believe that she’s the only thing that makes sense here.”The nominations were taken into account, interviews took place, and in a matter of weeks the new Upper School Head became Jolayne Gotzkowsky. So why was Ms. Gotzkowsky, Ms. G, J.G., picked for the role? Junior class president, Remy Robert says, “I trust that she will be supportive but firm, just like Ms. Wargo. Ms. G has a great relationship with the students but she won’t let it go too far – she knows when she needs to step in and enforce the rules.”However, although Ms. Gotzkowsky possesses qualities very similar to those of Ms. Wargo there are still some skeptical opinions on having a new Upper School Head other than Ms. Wargo. Junior Laura Gregorio said, “When I was initially thinking about Ms. Wargo leaving and who was going to take her place I was picturing another Ms. Wargo taking her place. Someone who knew a lot about our school and even if they were from the outside somehow knew all of the things that Ms. Wargo knew about like how to run Nativity, May Day and Graduation.” May Day and Nativity are big concerns of upcoming seniors. No one ever imagined spending senior year at McGehee without Ms. Wargo. Juniors shared tears and worrisome talk of concerns of their senior year. Remy Robert’s concerns on the traditions were, “I’m very concerned with how traditions like Nativity and May Day will be played out. Ms. Wargo was indispensable to us when we put on May Day for last year’s seniors, so it was important to me that the new Upper School head be as familiar with the tradition and with her responsibilities as was Ms. Wargo. I think that Ms. Gotzkowsky will definitely be able to rise to the occasion next year so that we have a great senior year.”Indeed we will. The juniors today, seniors tomorrow, have grown exceptionally close to Ms. Gotzkowsky over their recent trip to Washington, D.C. Not only has she strengthened her bond with next year’s seniors but has also been indispensable to girls in her own library way, constantly providing books and research for girls when asked and with little hesitation.     She’s the librarian everyone has a good relationship with, even if she has bannedyou from the library once or twice for loud talking or has caught you red handed and chastised you for eating in a nook or dancing to vulgar rap music with friends. She’s someone who doesn’t just help you find books and research, but also someone the girls at McGehee can relate to very well. It was said, “over the years she has developed a really close relationship with girls in the high school” which can only be beneficial for her and us. You could say that Ms. Gotzkowsky and the Upper School girls have good chemistry. She is “a great people-person” as Remy Robert liked to put it. The girls have strong opinions on the topic but what does Ms. Gotzkowsky herself think? Why did she nominate herself for the position in the first place? What intrigues her about leading a large group of free, opinionated girls? Ms. G. said, “I really like working with upper school girls and I don’t get to do it like I do in the middle school where they actually come into class. I thought it would be a challenge for me and I think I can be effective in a new role, specifically in that role.”     Many would think that librarian to Upper School head is a big jump but Ms.Gotzkowsky feels differently. “I don’t look at is as that big of a jump… as the librarian I get to know a little about what everyone is doing. I have a big picture of what everyone is doing at once, which the upper school head has. Ms.Wargo kind of sits on a platform and looks at what she has to do for each group; that’s what I do as a librarian but in a different capacity.”Although probably a bit sad, Ms. Wargo is fully supportive of Ms. Gotzkowsky becoming the Upper School Head for next year. Ms. Gotzkowsky says, “I am actually meeting with Ms. Wargo once per rotation! As things arise she gives me tips and she says well this is what’s worked for me or when I’m in this situation this is how I approach it.” With the help and tips of Ms. Wargo she is sure to succeed in leading the Upper School next year.Although excited about moving to another position, Ms. G. definitely has some things she is going to miss about her position as librarian. “I’ll miss being able to flag people down and talk about books and find out what they’re reading…I’ll miss the books.” Not only will she miss the books but she will also miss her position located in the heart of McGehee. People constantly pass in and out of the library and she is able to talk to pretty much everyone. However, her new position provides her with a lovely office, which brings some worry into Ms. G’s mind. She left us with a message to the readers of the article. “I would love to tell them I think everybody is very accustomed to seeing me sitting at this desk. I often flag down people and end up chatting with them. I do not want to move into a different office and sit alone. But I also don’t want to put bowls of candy around because then you’ll leave your candy wrappers all over the place.”