In celebration of National School Counselors Week, Brother Martin is spotlighting our Guidance Office to showcase all of the contributions and work that our counselors do in and around campus. Our counselors all range in their expertise and specialties, but we would be nowhere without them. Thank you Guidance Department for all that you do to make Brother Martin the best place it can be!
Alex Becnel '08 M.A.Alex Becnel is the current 8th grade counselor (Class of 2024). He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and earned his Master of Arts in Counseling in 2017 from the University of Holy Cross. Mr. Becnel is also currently working on a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Holy Cross. He became a school counselor because he knows that the high school experience can be both rewarding and challenging. "It is truly a pleasure to help our students navigate the obstacles that life throws at them," said Mr. Becnel.
As an alumnus of the BMHS class of 2008, he is very honored to have the opportunity to give back to the place that was a home for him during his high school years. He is also one of the moderators for the Student Ambassadors, a group that acts as the official hosts of all Brother Martin events. These students help our guests feel welcome when they are visiting our campus. If you see students in blue jackets on campus during an event, they are probably Student Ambassadors!
Joneil Galey, M.Ed.Joneil Galey is the Director of Guidance and is the counselor for the Class of 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Health Promotion at Purdue University. (Yes, she did watch Drew Brees play Boilermaker football and he was the GOAT even then too.) Mrs. Galey earned her Master of Education in Counselor Education at the University of New Orleans. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Mrs. Galey has been helping Crusaders manage their high school experiences since 2007. She collaborates with the National Honor Society and the Elementary Quiz Bowl hosted by the NHS. Mrs. Galey will have a Crusader in the Class of 2030 and a Brother Martin cheerleader shortly behind him. She believes that "Mistakes are not opportunities to chastise or place blame; they are opportunities to learn and improve." -unknown
Jill Gomez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education in 1990 and a Masters in Counselor Education with a concentration in school and human services counseling in 1997, both at the University of New Orleans. She began her career in education as a mathematics teacher and eventually Math Department Chair at De La Salle High School and joined the Brother Martin staff as a School Counselor in August 1997.
In her 23rd year at Brother Martin High School, Mrs. Gomez has chaired the Guidance Department for twelve years and holds a national certification and state license in counseling, as well as, certification as a counselor supervisor. Beyond the counseling office, Jill currently serves as National Junior Honor Society moderator and Standardized Test Preparation Coordinator. Four years ago, Mrs. Gomez left the Guidance Office when she was appointed Formation Director, coordinating a number of programs for students including academic support and tutoring, Sudden Impact and Sophomore Interviews.
Mr. Griffin Gremillion is a Nationally Certified Counselor. He received his Bachelor's degree in Biological Science from Louisiana State University. During his time in undergrad, he was honored with the Dean Author R. Choppin Award for Academic Performance. Mr. Gremillion continued his studies at the University of New Orleans where he received his Master of Education in Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling.
Mr. Gremillion is the current counselor for the Class of 2021. He is the Bowling Club and Bowling Team Moderator. When he's not at school, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family especially his wife and newborn son. He also loves spending time outdoors fishing and grilling.
Micheal Lemmon, M.S. Mr. Michael Lemmon is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Science from Loyola University. He started with Brother Martin in 1984. He first taught Geometry and Algebra II to Crusaders, but moved into the Guidance office in 1986. He coached 8th grade basketball for eight years. He has been the Scheduling Coordinator in the Guidance office as well as the counselor for the Class of 2020. He was even the Brother More Schaefer award recipient in 2017. Mr. Lemmon and his wife are the ultimate Crusader Super Fans as you will see them at nearly all Crusader sporting events. Mr. Lemmon is known for using analogies often referred to as “Lemmonisms.”
Ms. Judy Maldonado attended Newcomb College for two years. After her children were in school, she returned to college to complete her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of New Orleans, majoring in Spanish and Social Studies. She began teaching at Brother Martin in the Foreign Language and the Social Studies departments for one year then solely in the Foreign Language department for the next 15 years, serving as the Department Chair for the last three years. During that time, Ms. Maldonado returned to the University of New Orleans for her Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Upon graduation, she entered the Guidance department at Brother Martin where she spent the next 15 years as a counselor, followed by ten years as the assistant college counselor which is the position she still currently holds. Ms. Maldonado enjoys working with our students at every grade level and now in their preparation for college.
Paul Marcello '12, M.Ed. Mr. Marcello is proud to assist in the formation of the next generation of Crusaders as a Brother Martin graduate himself. A member of the Class of 2012, a Golden Crusader and Branton Award winner, Mr. Marcello was greatly influenced by his counselors during his time at Brother Martin. This prompted him to earn his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from LSU in 2016 and obtain his Master's in counselor education from the University of New Orleans in 2019.
Colleen Martinolich, M.Ed. Mrs. Colleen Martinolich received her Bachelor's degree in General Studies and her Master's degree in Education and Counseling from Louisiana State University. She has been working in school counseling for 11 years and this is her 8th year in the Counseling Department at Brother Martin. Mrs. Martinolich spent her first seven years at Brother Martin as a personal/academic counselor working with sophomores through seniors. She has also served as the Accommodations Coordinator, Prom Fest moderator, Homecoming Court Moderator, National Junior Honor Society moderator, and assisted with the school's testing and scheduling. Mrs. Martinolich is currently in her first year as the College Counselor.
Christy S. Roux, our guidance administrative assistant, graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College.
Though Mrs. Roux prepared for the business world, her heart pulled her in another direction. She fell in love with a Crusader, Ryan Roux '91, and they continued to make a life together. After the birth of her own two future Crusaders, she realized that being in the field of education was something that still tugged at her heartstrings. With a lot of reflecting and praying, and of course by the Grace of God, her path led her to Brother Martin High School.
Mrs. Roux spends her days assisting the counseling team, students, and many others. Her daily goal is to reach just one person each day. She believes that if she can use her kindness to touch just one life or help just one person that she has done good.
She is very active in the Brother Martin community. She and Mr. Roux’s two boys are involved in the crusader wrestling club. She volunteers her time, attends games and other activities. Mrs. Roux just returned from her first March for Life pilgrimage. When not at Brother Martin, she enjoys writing and taking pictures. Mrs. Roux and her husband Ryan have been involved in the wedding coordinator ministry for Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish for over 8 years and have recently taken the course to become a wedding prep couple.
If you have been in her office, you may have realized that she often motivates others with inspirational quotes on her board, but two favorites that she reminds herself of daily are, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln and, “When nothing goes right…go left.” – unknown.
