Get to know the new president Alicia Herald Kotarba

Rooted in Sion Sion welcomes back alumna Alicia Herald Kotarba as the new President

BY ALLIE DIERKS A&E EDITOR 92.4%It’s a grade most students despise. So close to an A. So sad to see on a report card, especially in math teacher Reynold Middleton’s infamous of her energy and positivity, according to junior Student Advisory Council member Brie Bowes. SAC was given an opportunity to be involved in the board’s decision last year by being a part of the interviewing process and Honors Algebra II class. She begged Middleton to bump the percentage up giving opinions on each candidate. only a tenth of a point. Yet three times, he refused. She attempted to bargain “Mrs. Herald Kotarba is so energetic. She was so excited to be talking with him, offering to clean his blackboards or tutor the freshmen. But he about the possibility of being our president,” Bowes said. “She knew Sion didn’t budge. personally through her experiences, and she had so many different ways to

Little did he know that 16 years later, she would be back as his boss. improve and contribute to our school.”

New President Alicia Herald Kotarba '02 was enrolled in Middleton's Herlad Kotaraba said she is humbled to come back in this capacity, Algebra class during her high school career. She walked through these same though she never thought she would be back or in education at all. After hallways, and sat in the same uncomfortable desks day after day. college, she was planning on continuing into law school. However, someone

“Some things have changed, but more has probably stayed the same,” asked her why she wanted to be a lawyer, and when she was unable to answer Herald Kotarba said. “It’s still all about hardcore that question logically, she went into teaching to decide academics, friendships, the smiles in the hallway and how close you all are with the teachers. All of “I don’t know what I thought if she really wanted to pursue a career in law. Middleton, who taught Herald Kotarba both that reminds me of what it used to be.” she would be doing,” sophomore and junior year, knew there were great

She continued on in her studies at Loyola Middleton said. “But I knew things in her future. Marymount University and Washington University in St. Louis. After graduation, she began gaining experience in the world of education as well as in she would be successful at whatever she wanted to do.” “I don’t know what I thought she would be doing,” Middleton said. “But I knew she would be successful at whatever she wanted to do.” the business field. And now she is back and ready The new job isn’t the only change in Herald to take on this new challenge in these same hallways. Kotarba’s life. She welcomed her first child, Alex, May 31.

Not only is the president title new to Herald Kotarba, it is new to the “We are still learning to sleep,” Herald Kotarba said. “The night is the community. Previous presidents were known as the “Head of School.” With time he decides to be most cooey and cute, but he is so awesome. I could this new title, Herald Kotarba focuses on working in the marketing and show you plenty of pictures.” fundraising aspects of the grade and high schools, while the principals will be Herald Kotarba was the captain of the State Championship winning in charge of running the schools' day to day activities. basketball and volleyball teams, a member of National Honors Society, an

“It’s not just a difference of a title. It is a difference of expectations that honors student and a leader in her class, according to alumna and classmate the board has set. In the president-principal model, we have really awesome Megan Doyle '02. autonomous principals that can run the day to day academics and operations “Alicia was a very hard worker but always reminded us the importance of the school,” Herald Kotarba said. “My job will be more externally of fun. She managed to make honors classes look easy by remaining positive,” focused—going out and helping to raise awareness and funds to support Sion Doyle said. “Alicia was modest in her over achievements which made her in the future.” approachable to her peers. She set the bar high for our class, and we all

Herald Kotarba has been a teacher, an executive director of Teach for readily took on the challenge." America, a senior executive for Frontline Education, an innovation educator Herald Kotarba said she valued the friendships and connections she with the Kauffman Foundation and founder and CEO of myEDmatch.com, a made with her peers and classmates the most. She has hopes for continuing website that helps educators find schools right for them. According to Herald these connections into the future and helping restore these qualities to its full Kotarba, she is confident that she will be able to incorporate all her previous glory, according to Herald Kotarba. jobs into her new role. “The friendships that I’ve made are what I remember the most. It is so

“I know the world of education and academics from having been active and a part of everyday of my life now,” Herald Kotarba said. “It wasn’t a teacher. When I had my own company, it was all about marketing, so as if you had one clique and you didn’t make friends out of that one group. knowing how to get the word out and building the brand,” Herald Kotarba An athlete, someone from the newspaper, and someone in the play could all said. “I’ve done board management, so now reporting to a board, should be be dear friends. Playing on the JV team and having the class president stop helpful as well.” by to support or making sure to support the plays. Those are the moments I

Herald Kotarba stood out from the other presidential candidates because remember the most.”

Madame President

With this new role, Alicia Herald Kotarba has been able to relive many high school memories such as being able to put the letterman jacket back on. (Photo by Allie Dierks)

Forever Friends (Far left)

Alumnae Lucy Feierabend, Julie Ptacek, Ali Lind, President Alicia Herald Kotarba, and Annie Anderson pose on campus during their high school years. (Photo submitted by Alicia Herald Kotarba)

Transormation Tuesday (Middle)

Back in her high school years, Alicia Herald Kotarba wears her letterman jacket. The jacket, photos and other high school memorabilia are on display in the Commons. (Photo submitted by Alicia Herald Kotarba)

Memories for a Lifetime (Left)

During a normal school day, Alicia Herald Kotarba smiles with alumna Molly White in the old school uniforms. This isn’t the only thing that has changed according to Kotarba. “The uniforms are different, you don’t have to tuck in your shirts anymore, you have air conditioning and you have a new gym. But overall more is probably the same.” (Photo submitted byAlicia Herald Kotarba)