Dist. 220 board honors 'Unsung Hero'

For the past eight years, Barrington High School guidance counselor Ray Piagentini and more than 40 students have been packing a bus full of food, clothes and other basic necessities for members of needy Native American tribes in South Dakota.

The group then travels to Crow Creek, S.D., to donate the items and spend more than a week learning about the Native American culture.

While those receiving the donated goods are thankful for the gifts, Piagentini said the group always comes home feeling as if it was they who have been given a gift.

"We go out there to help them, but I feel they help us in so many ways," Piagentini said.

For his work with the school's program to help the Native American's in South Dakota, Piagentini was recently presented with an "Unsung Hero" award from Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and radio station Y103.9.

On Wednesday, Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board members honored him for winning the award.

Through Barrington High's Brothers Keepers club, the students travel to South Dakota to experience the Native American Indian culture, spirituality and traditions, as well as to learn community service by bringing food, clothes and medical supplies to the members of several economically devastated tribes.

"This is a life-changing experience, I think, for some of our students," said Superintendent Tom Leonard, who went on the trip himself several years ago.

During Wednesday's meeting, Barrington High seniors Alex Luedtke, Devinne Wapotish, Erin Murray and Kristie Charmoy spoke about their experiences on the trip last June.

"Their way of seeing things is so different than around here," Luedtke said. "It is something that I couldn't have experienced anywhere else in the world."

Some of the students were brought to tears when discussing their experiences.

"It is a real emotional trip for our kids, Piagentini said.

Each year, Piagentini said they work hard to find the right group of students to take on the trip. About 120 students apply, with only 41 selected.

"They are our best ambassadors," Piagentini said of the teens who go on the trip each year.

For earning the Unsung Hero award, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital will be donating $500 to the charity of Piagentini's choice.