South Suburban Custodian in the Running for National Award

 

South Suburban Custodian in the Running for National Award

Sergio Nuno, a custodian for Matteson School District 162, has been nominated for the national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Nuno, 65, who has worked as a custodian for Matteson School District 162 and Southland College Prep for twelve years, was nominated by Matteson School District superintendent, Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, who described him as the “heart of the district.”

The national LifeChanger of the Year program, sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, recognizes and rewards K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

“From our youngest scholars at our pre-school to the seniors at our high school and our alumni across the country, Sergio, as the students and staff affectionately call him, is loved,” Davis said “Sergio sets the atmosphere of the school. He has impacted our students’ lives by encouraging them and letting them know that they are seen and loved.”

That encouragement includes teachers and staff as well.

“He makes everyone feel like a queen or king,” said Southland music teacher Elizabeth Norman Sojourner.

Nuno, 65, migrated from Mexico when he was 18 years old to help his parents and 10 siblings. He has a son and grandson who live out of state, but District 162 and Southland also is his family, according to Nuno.

“I love my job,” Nuno said. “I will drop whatever I’m doing to help a student.”
“He exemplifies ‘family’ and we are grateful for his presence,” said Dr. Chip Johnson, a district administrator and the first principal of Southland. “Sergio is more than a custodian. He is a caretaker.”

Recently, Nuno started working at the Richton Square School in Richton Park which has preschool students and works at the high school on Saturdays.

“Sergio has a gentle kindness that spreads to all he encounters. His sensitivity reaches from our littlest of learners through to our seasoned professionals,” said Kim McGuire, principal of Richton Square. “Sergio will tell you that serving others brings him great joy. I will tell you he is a joy to watch and work alongside.”

Southland Class of 2019 graduate, Olivia Brown, a recent graduate of the University of Missouri who works as a crisis counselor said Nuno’s encouragement had a lasting impact on her life.

“He goes above and beyond for anyone who is in need or has a concern. His warm personality always turned my bad days into good days. Anytime I would tell Sergio I was having a long day he would always say ‘You keep going girl, you got this’ and those words will forever stick with me. To know Sergio is to love him, and his thoughtfulness of others will never go unnoticed.”

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Every year, the Lifechanger program shines a light on a specific K-12 discipline with the Spotlight Award. This year the Spotlight Award is recognizing janitors and custodians. One custodian will be chosen and be surprised early next year at their school with a $5,000 cash prize to be shared with their school.

In addition to being a nominee for the Spotlight Award, Nuno also is in the running for the LifeChanger of the Year grand prize which includes a $5,000 cash prize and a trip for two to Hawaii. He also is eligible for the Spirit Award which is given to the nominee whose community shows the most support.

Administrators, teachers, staff, students and alumni are posting comments about Nuno and his impact on their lives on his profile on the LifeChanger website. The selection committee will review the comments as a part of their evaluation of nominees.

To view Nuno’s LifeChanger of the Year profile, go to: www.lifechangeroftheyear.com and look under the 2023-24 Nominees tab.



Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.