"Just for a Short Time"

Diane Colletti has worked at Brother Martin from Day One (1969-70). However, her employment record won't show that.

• She volunteered to do work for Brother Jean and his secretary, Mrs. Pat Trapani, the first year of the merged school when her oldest son, Manuel, entered 8th grade. Brother Jean served as Director of Student Activities as well as occupying a position as a Guidance Counsellor.
• Diane and her husband Anthony chaperoned every dance and helped with numerous other functions.
• In August 1974, right after Manny graduated, Brother Jean told her, "I have an opening, and I'd like to give it to you." "Brother, I haven't worked in years," she replied. "You work here every day. Just for a short time. Help us out."
• "A short time" has turned into 38 years. "I've loved every day of it."

She actually met the brothers and began volunteering at St. Aloysius.

• "Brother Paul Montero, Brother Jean, and Brother Ivy came to my house for Endymion. We lived right on the route."
• Manny's interview took place at Aloysius in the spring before the merger. "The student who ushered us in told us, 'Brother Paul said not to give you to anyone else.'"

Diane is hard pressed to remember all her bosses, especially since she was often secretary to an assistant principal in addition to continuous service in Student Activities (which was called Student Services for many years). Here's the list she came up with.

Brother William Boyles, Brother Ronald Talbot, Brother Celestine Algero, Brother Carl Bouchereau, Louis Levy, Greg Brandao, Greg Rando, Dennis Panepinto, Cindy Thomas, Nancy Autin, Anne Rivera, Claire LeBlanc (the longest of all), and now Marilyn Meyn and Barry Hebert

Four more sons graduated as Crusaders: Gerard '76, Ronald '78, Steven '81, and Darren '87. "It's a good thing I like sports," she says.

• Manny captained of the baseball team his senior year before playing for UNO and three years in the Minnesota Twins organization.
• Gerard and Ronald ran cross country and track, with Ronald serving as cross country captain. Steven participated in golf.
• Darren captained the cheerleaders, was president of his class for five years, and ran cross country, just to name a few of his involvement.

She also boasts three grandsons as grads: Justin '99 (Manny's son), Christopher '01 and Tony '05 (Gerard's sons). Interestingly, she has no daughters, and neither do her sons.

While there are no Collettis attending Brother Martin this year, two more are on the way - one in 6th grade and another in 2nd.

When asked what has been the most challenging task in Student Activities, she answers without hesitation: "Foolin' with lockers!"

Every year that's a headache, but you get over it. I've been getting over it for 38 years.

At the conclusion of the interview, she said, "I want to see it [the article] before you put it out!" When told she has no veto power, she laughed, "Gee whiz. That's not fair." Diane, I hope you like it.

 

Mrs. Diane Colletti