Якщо запитати Баррі Сіннотта, що для нього означає « Utica », він одразу відповість: «Усе».
Today, he serves as the Senior Vice President of Bank of Utica, the community-centered institution in the heart of downtown that his great-grandfather founded. In this role, Sinnott helps guide hundreds of local nonprofits and municipal partners, including the Utica City School District.
«Ми витрачаємо багато часу, сил і коштів на підтримку місцевих організацій, які тут роблять неймовірну роботу. Наш бізнес існує завдяки громаді, тому ми вважаємо, що наша підтримка має залишатися в громаді».
Sinnott’s UCSD journey began at Jones Elementary, continued through Donovan Middle School and ended at Thomas R. Proctor High School, where he graduated in 1996.
With his mother being from Taiwan, Sinnott credits Proctor’s diversity for helping him feel welcomed. “The mix of different ethnicities made me feel comfortable and at home.”
Він настільки полюбив Проктор, що й досі живе в цьому місті разом із родиною, а його власні діти зараз навчаються в початковій школі Джонс, завдяки чому його історія замикається повним колом. «Мені дуже сподобалося, як я тут виріс. Сподіваюся, що мої діти отримають такий самий чудовий досвід».
While Sinnott speaks highly of teachers across every subject, the music program played a defining role in his school years. He fondly remembers his orchestra teachers, Mr. Ukena and Mrs. McClellan, jazz band teacher Mr. Compton and choir with Mr. Wronka, who still teaches in the District today.
«Я не хочу нікого з вчителів оминути, — каже він. — Адже їх було так багато чудових».
After graduating from Boston University, Sinnott’s path took him abroad. He studied Mandarin in Taiwan while teaching English before moving to Beijing.
There, he landed a unique opportunity: “I was a radio DJ for Virgin Radio,” he says with a smile. “It was a pretty awesome job.”
When that partnership dissolved, he wasn’t ready to return home just yet. So he launched Mayflower Trade, a company connecting businesses in Upstate New York with manufacturers in China. Almost 20 years later, it’s still operating.
In 2010, Sinnott felt Utica pulling him back. He officially moved back and helped carry on his family’s legacy at Bank of Utica. “Bank of Utica is my career,” he says. “It’s a wonderful organization. We do a lot of great things for the community.”
From Jones Elementary, to Donovan Middle School, to Proctor, to China and back home again, Sinnott’s journey has given him a perspective he’s eager to share with today’s students.
Яка його улюблена порада? «Сідай за кожен обідній стіл».
“Get to know as many people as you can,” he says. “There are so many great people in the Utica City School District, teachers and fellow students. You can learn a lot from everybody. Networking is important no matter what you choose to do, and Proctor gives you a huge network of people from different backgrounds. Branch out, meet different groups and you’ll grow.”
Sinnott still keeps in touch with many of his classmates. Some of his closest friends today are the same people he sat next to in grade school. Meeting younger alumni in the community also brings him joy—it’s an instant bond.
Перш за все, він пишається своїм походженням.