A CEO. A baseball coach. An Air Force trumpeter. And a beloved educator. Four Binghamton alumni who took four very different paths, but down roads that departed from, and led back to, the Binghamton City School District.
Aaron Callaway (BHS ‘92), Ryan Connolly (BHS ‘05), Nick Del Villano (BHS ‘01) and Karry Mullins (BNHS ‘82) were honored Wednesday evening as this year’s BCSD Distinguished Graduates. The evening opened with a reception in the school’s main lobby, with hors d'oeuvres while the high school string quartet performed for guests. Then, the nearly 100 guests filled the Binghamton High School cafeteria-turned-banquet hall for dinner and the evening’s program. Following an opening performance from the Binghamton High School Davidge Choir, attendees dined on a gourmet meal prepared by Chef Thomas Dello; BHS culinary arts students assisted with catering and served guests their food and beverages.
After dinner, Student host Olivia McKan (BHS ‘27) led the program with four of her classmates introducing each Distinguished Graduate. Chloe Collins (BHS ‘26) welcomed back Callaway, who is now the CEO AMS of tech company Input Zero Technologies. He also founded the Binghamton Arts & Athletics Fund to give back to his native community and help current and future Binghamton Patriots find their passions.
“We don’t give out opportunities here in Binghamton; we earn them,” Callaway said during remarks in which he thanked current and former BCSD staff, his coaches and friends. “I’m grateful to have earned the opportunities that I did during my time here.”
Mary Grace Minor (BHS ‘26) followed Callaway with an introduction of Connolly, the current Director of Baseball Operations for Kansas State University. Connolly and his family recently welcomed a new baby and was unable to make the trip from Manhattan, Kansas. He addressed the dinner via a video message in which he talked about the impact his upbringing in Binghamton had on his life and how teachers at BHS prepared him for his career.
“Most young people don’t find their niche until they get to college and find themselves, but Binghamton accelerates growth,” Connolly said. “Look at those being honored tonight and look through the list of past honorees: you have a passion for art, for music? You can travel the world and teach. You can parlay the IB and AP education to the highest levels of academia or business. Bottom line is that you can find your passion because it’s right there in front of you.”
Connolly’s mother, Penny, accepted his award and was followed by Jason Banks (BHS ‘26) who shared Del Villano’s journey since graduating from BHS. Del Villano is currently a technical sergeant in the United States Air Force and a trumpeter for the USAF Heritage of America Band. Currently deployed to the Middle East, Del Villano also shared a video message for the audience.
“I recently took one of those online quizzes that helps you get to ‘know yourself.’ I normally don’t trust those things, but this one focused on strengths…I realized that the seeds of all five of my strengths were planted at Binghamton High School,” Del Villano said. “Those seeds were planted by incredible teachers, mentors, and friends. Thank you to the school counselors for listening to and advocating for students…and thank you to the teachers who work to bring the best in every student, thank you for helping us to find our strengths.”
The final honoree of the evening was introduced by Jazmyn Ross (BHS ‘26) who detailed Mullins’ life as part of the Binghamton City School District. It started at Theodore Roosevelt as an elementary school student in the 1970s and concluded as an assistant superintendent for the distict. She continues to share her passion for teaching by operating her own education consulting firm. Mullins’ family’s roots in BCSD go back to 1913 when her great-grandmother graduated from Binghamton Central. Since then, and to this day, her family has chosen BCSD; she currently has great-nieces attending school in Binghamton.
“Students: remember where you come from,” Mullins said. “If you have an opportunity to return, you will have the opportunity to continue the amazing legacy of Binghamton Schools.”
Remarks from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonia Thompson and a final singing performance by McKan concluded the evening. Both offered messages about the importance of remembering one’s home and upbringing.