By Sara Abbott and Brodey Weber/ Gator Galaxy Staff

Mr. Mike Gillotti has been part of North Star for 10 years. He is ready to make the transition from assistant principal at North Star to principal of Lincoln Southwest High School. All the Gators will remember his friendly face greeting them in the morning, possibly asking them to put their ID on, and now Southwest will gain new memories with Mr. Gillotti.  Gillotti has had a lasting legacy on North Star, and we are excited for his new opportunities at our rival school.

Gillotti has many fantastic memories at North Star. “The thing that every year is my favorite thing, is graduation. At graduation I see those kids walk by and everything that’s been a struggle or challenge just fades away and gets you ready for the next school year.”

Working at  North Star is a family affair for the Gillottis. Mrs. Brooke Gillotti will remain at the school teaching in the art department, as well as coaching the girl’s soccer team. “My wife’s reaction was supportive, and happy and a little bit ‘I can’t believe you won’t be a gator anymore’ she is probably a gator for life,” Gillotti said.

Jokingly when asked about a match-up between an alligator and a fictional silverhawk Gillotti said, “In a fight between a gator and silverhawk, I think a silverhawk is more versatile. If you can fly, I think you’re better”

North Star has taught many lessons that  Gillotti will take with him to Southwest. “One thing I think I’ve learned from North Star that I will always take with me is the sense of family. I think it’s important for not only a school, but a community to have a family culture.”

One learning experience. Gillotti will face will be the transition from an assistant principal position to the head principal of a high school, which can have it’s challenges “Taking the time to learn all of the parts of being a principal, especially learning the culture of a building, could be a challenge.” Gillotti said

Gillotti will be greatly missed at North Star. Junior Trentell Gordon said “My initial reaction was why does my favorite administrator have to leave, but then I realized he could be an even better principal.”

Gillotti wanted to say “It’s been 10 years here, it’s a great place, I’m going to miss LNS. Hopefully I don’t accidentally drive here on the first day next year. I wish North Star nothing but the best of luck going forward, you guys are on the right path.”