South Suburban Custodian Wins National Award

South Suburban Custodian Wins National Award

RICHTON PARK — Sergio Nuno, a custodian for Matteson School District 162, has been named a winner of a national award recognizing his impact on students and his community.

Nuno, 66, who has worked as a custodian for Matteson School District 162 and Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park for twelve years, was named one of 17 national winners of the national LifeChanger of the Year Program.

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.

Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, superintendent of Matteson School District 162 and Southland College Prep CEO, nominated Nuno, describing him as the “heart of the district.”

“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 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.”

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,” Brown said. “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. As one of the national winners, Nuno will receive $3,000 from the National Life Group Foundation.

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

Nuno was unable to attend a celebration announcing the national recognition on Monday, May 20. Dr. Davis accepted the award on his behalf and said that the school will have a large celebration with students, alumni, the band and cheerleaders when Nuno is able to attend in the fall.

“He deserves all of the recognition and accolades,” Davis said. “He is a much-loved member of the Southland and District 162 family.”

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