F-S Hosts First Annual Alum-Knights

On January 30, Frankfort-Schuyler Central School and the Herkimer BOCES office of School to Careers held its first annual Frankfort-Schuyler “Alum-Knights” event for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders! The event aimed to raise awareness about post-graduation possibilities and inspire students to never stop learning and growing. As the name suggests, the event highlighted the achievements of alumni, bringing in graduates who could, quite literally, say they had once sat in the very same seats as the students.

Scott Grates, from the class of 1995, owner of four businesses and a local podcast host, focused his talk on three themes: knowledge, network, and opportunity. Grates never disappoints when he gives talks, always incorporating audience participation as a way to connect with students and drive home his message. He led participants in an activity where they learned how to build a strong business team with the goal of leveraging their time so they could continue to grow and do more of what they love.

Josh Graziadei, from the class of 2019, shared an inspiring message about his journey from uncertainty after high school to discovering his passion behind the lens, becoming a professional photographer and videographer. He has been able to build an impressive client base with hip-hop legends and superstar athletes. His story exemplified that it’s okay not to have it all figured out, but once you find your passion, go all in and chase it.

Frank Aceto IV, from the class of 2005, shared that he had some ups and downs throughout his time in high school, and that upon graduation, he realized he still had much to learn. He started as a part-time bank teller, where he found his passion for the banking industry. From there, he worked his way up to become an assistant vice president at Adirondack Bank. He credits his success to his willingness to embrace continuous learning and self-improvement, and encouraged students to do the same.

Zoey Zogby, from the class of 2015, shared that she knew she wanted to be a lawyer since age 10, diligently preparing through high school and college. When she made it to law school, she hit a roadblock, as the coursework was so rigorous that she worried she wouldn’t be successful, sharing bluntly that she thought she would fail. However, she persevered and achieved her dream, passing the bar exam on her first try. Her story encouraged students to never give up, no matter the obstacles.

The event ended with a Q&A session with the students for all four panelists. Scott Grates added a perfect closure to the day by turning to the other panelists and saying he was proud to say he had done business with all of them, telling the students what a supportive network the Knights will always be, and that the Knights will never let you down. It was a day that everyone was proud to be a part of the Maroon Knights family!

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