Antonette Lane

By CALEB MCLAREN

TSJC Student

Reporter

ALAMOSA—After 20 years of service, a rock solid constant retired Friday, October 30, from Trinidad State Jr. College’s Alamosa Campus.

Antonette Lane began working at TSJC Valley Campus on August 21, 1989, back when the school was still the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School.

“I have been here 20 years. I have worked under 5 different administrations. I started back when the computers were all using Word Perfect and Lotus 1-2-3. It has been a wonderful time. I enjoy what I do,” she said.

After raising their family in Pueblo, Antonette and her husband Keith moved to the Valley. Two years later, Antonette started working at the school. Many fond memories have been made in the 20 years that followed.

“I’ve known her for 20 years. She was my recommendation for hire. She’s honest, and compassionate. The other day I forgot her birthday and I asked her ‘How long have we been together? I think that makes us common law!’, and we had a good laugh about that, “ said Rosalie Ortega, co-worker.

Another co-worker Mathilda Westerman said, “I’ve known her for 17 years. She cares about us. She is very discerning; you can’t pull the wool over her eyes. She is also an avid Broncos fan. My husband stops by the college just to talk with her about football.”

When asked what she would miss the most after retiring, Antonette said, “I think it’s all the people I work with. They are like my second family. A couple of people have been here as long as I have, or even longer. We’re very close. The staff is very good. They’re very supportive. They’ve put up with me all these years. I think that is what I will miss the most. All the people that I work with.” She reiterated how much she has enjoyed her work duties.

But what will Antonette do after retirement?

“Probably try to do a little bit of traveling, my husband and I. We’re going to probably get our house ready for sale, because we hope to move back to Pueblo. Our kids are there. My sister is there. I have a niece and a grandniece and our grandnephews, and our grandson there. So we want to move back to be closer to the family.”

Fishing and camping are also at the top of the list.

It is clear from responses of her fellow staff at TSJC that Antonette will be sorely missed. She can’t come back to work for one month after her last day on October 30. After that month, though, she has agreed to come back and help out with the workload, and to train her replacement.

When asked what advice she would give to the student body here at TSJC, Antonette replied, “ Stay in school. Work as hard as you can. If you’re having a problem, make sure you talk to your instructor, and get it resolved. I think that one of the best things about Trinidad State is that we are small enough that everybody gets a lot of individual attention. And I think that makes our students successful.”

A brunch was held Friday in the Valley Campus Atrium to honor Antonette and her 20 years. Members of her family and many of the faculty and staff were present. Recently installed TSJC Interim President Felix Lopez and Trinidad Staff were unable to attend due to bad weather but they sent their miss you’s as well.