Custodian Dorothy Gilchrist spreads the love

Gilchrist exemplifies what it means to be a SunDevil

Lily Brown, Staff Writer
April 8, 2020

Custodian Dorothy Gilchrist was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Her grandmother actually delivered her. She has been working at Salem since it first opened in 1989.

“I came here when the school was brand new,” said Gilchrist.  

Gilchrist worked at Brandon Middle School before Salem, and the head custodian of Brandon at the time was asked to help open up Salem. He decided to bring his “best workers” along with him, which included Gilchrist.

Gilchrist loves this school and the people she is surrounded by. 

“I love the kids, and it is definitely a good school,” said Gilchrist. “Everybody is really sweet.”

Even though she has three grandsons and one great granddaughter, Gilschrist loves the students of Salem High School as if they were her own.

“She treats everyone like they’re her grandkids,” said junior Abigail Huling. 

Some might have questions as to why or how one would feel that way, but for Gilchrist it isn’t that complicated. 

“I asked God for my first baby to be a boy. I asked for six kids, but he only gave me one,” said Gilchrist. “I thank him [God] for all two thousand of my kids… I love everyone of y’all as my grandkids.”

She loves the students here and they love her right back. 

“I think Ms. Dorothy is a ray of sunshine,” said senior Robert Nolin. “To me, she’s one of the few people who truly love what they do and are happy to do what they do. People should know that everything she does is out of the goodness of her heart, and they shouldn’t be grouchy towards her.”

She does in fact love the school, but outside of her school life, she has her fair share of hobbies. She really enjoys fishing and going to the beach. 

“I go to the beach everyday,” said Gilchrist. “Summer, winter, fall; when it rains, when it snows, I’m at the beach. I love it.”

So if she’s not at the beach, you can usually find Gilchrist somewhere in our halls brightening someone’s day.

“I am so blessed to be called a SunDevil. I thank God for y’all [the students] everyday. This is what makes me come back,” said Gilchrist.