How many years have you worked at Kellenberg Memorial?
I have worked here from the time before it was KMHS. I started in 1984 when it was St. Agnes Cathedral H.S., so I’ve been here for 37 years.
What are some of the different jobs you have had here?
I have been blessed to work in many different areas in Kellenberg. I started in maintenance, then became a bus driver (I received my Commercial Driver License in 1985 and it remains active until this day!) and worked in the athletic department for a long time. Now, I work in the finance office and assist with catering and hospitality.
We are celebrating “One Heart, One Mind, Many Cultures” this year. Right now it is Hispanic American Heritage Month. In terms of your Hispanic background, where are you from and what traditions do you treasure?
I grew up in Chile and was educated by the Society of the Divine Word, a Catholic missionary congregation. After my graduation in 1963 I worked both at a bank and in imports and exports. I was a civil-military pilot in the Chilean Air Force before emigrating with my wife to Miami, FL, in the USA (the country of opportunity and dreams!) in 1977. I came to New York in 1984 and began working at St. Agnes Cathedral High School (which was here on this campus). Family unity is an important tradition in the Hispanic culture, along with honor, respect, and hard work. It is to honor these traditions that I belong to the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree) and am an honorary member of the Civil Air Patrol. I am also a sacristan at my parish, Our Lady of Hope in Carle Place. I have been an American citizen for several years and feel proud to be a part of this country that gave me the tools I needed to go forward in life. I am very happily married to my wife for 47 years and we have two wonderful daughters of which we are very proud and one beautiful granddaughter. I thank God for my family and the immense support, trust, understanding, and love they show me.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Kellenberg?
I have so many memories going all the way back to when the school was being restructured and new goals were being set. I remember the increase in the student body… back in 1987 there were 1350 students and now we have over 2,600! There have also been so many wonderful improvements made to the building and the campus. The Marianist community has always had a clear future vision for the school and I am so grateful to them for allowing me to be a part of the legacy of Catholic education that shapes tomorrow’s youth. Working here has strengthened my love and respect for all people and has taught me to put my trust in God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to share with the Firebird Family?
I would say never forget the Marianist education you received at KMHS. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to you and work hard to achieve your goals. Try your hardest to be exemplary citizens and take everything you learned here at KMHS with you throughout your life.
Do you have anything else you’d like to mention?
I want to wish the best for everyone who is or has been part of Kellenberg. I would also like to thank the entire Marianist community for having the confidence in me to continue working in the different positions that I have had in KMHS. I won’t try to name everyone that I would like to thank because it isn’t possible to list them all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and may God bless you.