When students at Huntington School in Syracuse visit the school's library, a new collection of books there may remind them of a special story of strength. The story involves a Syracuse University student and the brother he lost on Sept. 11. Darryl McKinney worked at Cantor Fitzgerald and was killed during the attack on the World Trade Center. Despite the loss, his brother, Henry Brigantti, was able to complete his studies at the School of Management and will graduate in May. Brigantti also maintained his volunteer work with SU's Literacy Corps-a commitment that brought him in close contact with Huntington students.
In memory of McKinney and in honor of the dignity displayed by Brigantti, the Literacy Corps will present a set of multicultural books to Huntington School on April 24. The presentation ceremony will be held during a reception Huntington is holding for the SU Literacy Corps at 3 p.m. at the school, located on Sunnycrest Road.
SU Center for Public and Community Service Assistant Director for Literacy Initiatives Bobby Gillen says it's the first time the Literacy Corps has honored an individual in this way. "Henry has been a Literacy Corps volunteer for three years and has been at Huntington for that entire time," she says. "Both Henry and Huntington are very special to us and when we found out about Henry's brother we wanted to do something to honor him in a way that was in keeping with the Literacy Corps, hence the book donation." Gillen says the 25 children's books being donated are part of a series with a diversity theme. Each book has a bookplate reading; "Donated by Syracuse University Literacy Corps in memory of Darryl L. McKinney, lost in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. Beloved brother of Henry Brigantti, S.U. Literacy Corps Tutor (SOM '02)."
Huntington guidance counselor Leo Sweeney says Brigantti has served as an excellent role model for the school's students. "Henry has a presence where he carries himself with a lot of dignity and respect," he says. "He has a quiet, but powerful way about him." Sweeney says the SU tutors are always in demand at Huntington. "There are so many positives about this program," he says. "The tutors are so well-trained and the feedback we receive from teachers, students and parents is wonderful." Sweeney says apart from providing guidance in areas such as math, reading and writing, the SU tutors give students an insight into college life and the opportunities that it can provide.
SU's Literacy Corps is administered by the Center for Public and Community Service. It has around 150 volunteers who serve 19 schools in the Syracuse City and Lafayette Central school districts during the academic year. The students work one-on-one or in small groups with students using a tutoring method called the Franklin Model, which was developed at SU's School of Education.
