NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffPre-K to 8
Middle School bids farewell to Ogletree
Sep 21, 2005 9:19 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Diane Ogletree – a name as familiar in the Middle School as the word “Darlington.”
Ogletree, a 1968 graduate of Thornwood, first came to Darlington in 1973 as secretary to John Cunningham (’40), director of admission. After getting married and taking three years off, she returned to work one more year, in 1977, to replace Patti Barron (’68), who left to start a family. Ogletree only agreed to work that one year however, as she had plans of her own. From 1978 through 1992, she and her husband, Bob, raised three children, all of whom graduated from Darlington: Bob (’97), Elizabeth (’99) and Fletcher (’05).
Upon returning to work for Middle School Principal Jim Van Es in 1992 as an administrative assistant, Ogletree soon became known as “the backbone of the Middle School.” She is often the first face seen upon entering and the last voice heard when leaving.
“She runs the school. It is a great place for everyone because of her,” said Van Es, who calls Ogletree the most honest and trustworthy person he has met in his 38 years at Darlington.
He added, “She’s been a wonderful person to know and work with. I’m more patient because of her, and I’ll miss her constant advice and encouragement.”
Everyone who has met Ogletree knows of her undying compassion for the students. Besides taking calls, dealing with finances, keeping up records and a little bit of everything, she is known by the kids as a nurse, counselor and friend.
“She’s the first one the students go to,” said Middle School Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod. “Her relationship with the kids is different than the one that Jim and I have. She does whatever she can to make them happy while even teaching them the importance of saying ‘please,’ ‘thank you’ and ‘may I?’”
In 2002, Ogletree won the first-ever Parents Choice Award, which was established by the Parents Association to recognize a Darlington Upper or Middle School faculty or staff member who makes a positive impact on the student body through insight, leadership and wisdom. With the award money, she bought a grandfather clock to remind her of the wonderful “time” spent at the Middle School, and said she never passes by it without recalling a special memory.
For Ogletree, it’s all about the students. “My favorite thing is to see these students just light up when they succeed,” she said. “Whether it is academic or personal, nothing comes close to that. Just to see all that energy and excitement channel itself into a successful experience are the memories that stand out the most.”
Mai Mai Kelly (’72T), parent volunteer and Alumni Council member, remembered the first thing that impressed her about the young Ogletree. “She could do the best dive off the diving board at the old Coosa Country Club swimming pool,” Kelly said. “Now, after knowing her for awhile, it’s amazing to think of how she’s impacting this generation of young women – she knows how you can be a mom, a worker and a golfer, all at the same time, and be well at all of it.”
Ogletree left Darlington Sept. 21 to assume the position of office manager at a local law firm. The Middle School honored her at a reception on Sept. 20, at which students presented her with journals that contained messages from her friends, colleagues and students.
“Darlington runs deep and it will always be a part of my life,” Ogletree said. “There is such a camaraderie that has been built over my 14 years here that I will never forget. It’s a great place with great people.”
Ogletree, a 1968 graduate of Thornwood, first came to Darlington in 1973 as secretary to John Cunningham (’40), director of admission. After getting married and taking three years off, she returned to work one more year, in 1977, to replace Patti Barron (’68), who left to start a family. Ogletree only agreed to work that one year however, as she had plans of her own. From 1978 through 1992, she and her husband, Bob, raised three children, all of whom graduated from Darlington: Bob (’97), Elizabeth (’99) and Fletcher (’05).
Upon returning to work for Middle School Principal Jim Van Es in 1992 as an administrative assistant, Ogletree soon became known as “the backbone of the Middle School.” She is often the first face seen upon entering and the last voice heard when leaving.
“She runs the school. It is a great place for everyone because of her,” said Van Es, who calls Ogletree the most honest and trustworthy person he has met in his 38 years at Darlington.
He added, “She’s been a wonderful person to know and work with. I’m more patient because of her, and I’ll miss her constant advice and encouragement.”
Everyone who has met Ogletree knows of her undying compassion for the students. Besides taking calls, dealing with finances, keeping up records and a little bit of everything, she is known by the kids as a nurse, counselor and friend.
“She’s the first one the students go to,” said Middle School Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod. “Her relationship with the kids is different than the one that Jim and I have. She does whatever she can to make them happy while even teaching them the importance of saying ‘please,’ ‘thank you’ and ‘may I?’”
In 2002, Ogletree won the first-ever Parents Choice Award, which was established by the Parents Association to recognize a Darlington Upper or Middle School faculty or staff member who makes a positive impact on the student body through insight, leadership and wisdom. With the award money, she bought a grandfather clock to remind her of the wonderful “time” spent at the Middle School, and said she never passes by it without recalling a special memory.
For Ogletree, it’s all about the students. “My favorite thing is to see these students just light up when they succeed,” she said. “Whether it is academic or personal, nothing comes close to that. Just to see all that energy and excitement channel itself into a successful experience are the memories that stand out the most.”
Mai Mai Kelly (’72T), parent volunteer and Alumni Council member, remembered the first thing that impressed her about the young Ogletree. “She could do the best dive off the diving board at the old Coosa Country Club swimming pool,” Kelly said. “Now, after knowing her for awhile, it’s amazing to think of how she’s impacting this generation of young women – she knows how you can be a mom, a worker and a golfer, all at the same time, and be well at all of it.”
Ogletree left Darlington Sept. 21 to assume the position of office manager at a local law firm. The Middle School honored her at a reception on Sept. 20, at which students presented her with journals that contained messages from her friends, colleagues and students.
“Darlington runs deep and it will always be a part of my life,” Ogletree said. “There is such a camaraderie that has been built over my 14 years here that I will never forget. It’s a great place with great people.”
