As graduation season fills Thomas R. Proctor High School’s halls with anticipation and possibility, Class of 2022 graduate Diamonte Giacovelli is proof that perseverance, and pride in where you come from, can take you anywhere.
After graduating from the Utica City School District, Giacovelli earned not one, but two bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University: a Bachelor of Science in Creative Advertising from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
對賈科維利而言，走上畢業典禮的舞台，其意義遠不止於取得文憑。
「這對我意義重大，」賈科維利說。「我的家人為我感到驕傲，但我更為這段經歷所代表的意義而自豪。雪城大學幫助我找到了歸屬感，也讓我對自己充滿信心。」
Giacovelli always knew he was interested in marketing while growing up in Utica. He credits former Proctor marketing teacher Mr. Brian Lanz with helping shape that passion and encouraging him to pursue opportunities beyond high school. When he arrived at Syracuse University on the 1870 Scholarship, what began as a plan to study marketing turned into a dual-degree path that combined business strategy with creative advertising.
"It was a long journey, but a good journey," Giacovelli said.
如今，賈科維利已在紐約市展開這段旅程的下一章，他最近剛在那裡獲得了一份行銷實習工作。儘管這座城市的步調與Utica 截然不同，但他仍在這兩地都看到了熟悉的特質。
「我特別欣賞的一點就是這裡的多樣性，」他說。「人們常認為紐約市是世界上最多元化的地方之一，這點確實無誤，但Utica 同樣充滿多元性。在來自如此多不同背景的人們身邊成長，教會了我如何與他人建立連結，這對我幫助極大。」
As he reflects on his time at the District, Giacovelli points to the relationships he built with teachers as one of the most valuable parts of his experience.
「老師們的支持真的讓我為今日的成就做好了準備，」他說。「能夠自在地與成年人交談，並學會如何與不同的人溝通，這點至關重要。」
Several educators left a lasting impression on him, including Mr. Lanz, English teacher Mr. Dennis Hahn, Italian teacher Mr. Ricky Nicholas-Hahn and social studies teacher Mrs. Ledia Mullen. Even after graduating, Giacovelli has stayed in contact with many of his former teachers, often returning to Proctor to speak with students about his college experience and career journey.
「我一直希望學生們知道，這確實是可能的，」他說。「我只是個來自康希爾的孩子，靠著努力奮鬥、獲得許多支持，並始終專注於自己的目標。」
Outside the classroom, Giacovelli immersed himself in student life. He served as treasurer for the Class of 2022; participated in Proctor’s drama club, mixed choir and show choir and was heavily involved in the school's morning show. Starting behind the camera as a freshman, he eventually became the program's student anchor during his senior year. These experiences helped strengthen the communication skills that would later become central to Giacovelli’s academic and professional success.
One opportunity that shaped Giacovelli’s future in particular was participating in the “Today's Students, Tomorrow's Teachers” program. During a visit to Syracuse University as a freshman, Giacovelli got an early glimpse of college life and possibilities beyond high school.
"I remember seeing the business school and thinking, 'This is where I want to be,'" Giacovelli recalled.
如今，身為一名剛從大學畢業、正展開職涯的應屆畢業生，賈科維利樂於向在校學生提供建議，尤其是那些可能是家族中首位接受高等教育的人。
"Be grateful for every opportunity," Giacovelli said. "Stay genuine, work hard and don't be afraid to ask for help. You don't have to be perfect. If you have a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and you're willing to learn, the rest will come."
Giacovelli also encourages students not to let their hometown define their limitations.
"Sometimes people focus on the negatives, but being from Utica is something to be proud of," Giacovelli said. "The experiences here make you stronger, use that to your advantage."
回首往事，賈科維利希望自己當初能少花些時間在意他人的看法，多花些時間珍惜自己的道路。
"Everybody has their own journey," Giacovelli said. "Don't compare yourself to other people. Focus on where you're going and enjoy the ride."
Four years after graduating from Proctor, Giacovelli’s connection to the District remains as strong as ever.
"I'm always going to be proud to be from Utica," Giacovelli said. "I'm always going to represent the 315. Being a Proctor graduate is part of who I am, and I wouldn't want it any other way."
無論是成為普羅克特學校現有學生的榜樣，還是於紐約市發展事業，賈科維利在每一步都懷抱著這份自豪。