Gary Scavo graduated from Oneonta High School in 1960 and earned his BS degree and Master's Degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta. He began his distinguished career in the Sidney Central School as a math teacher in 1964, and was Chair of the Math Department from 1975 - 1977. Upon completing his Certificate of Advanced Study in Administration in 1977 from the State University of New York at Cortland, he was named Principal of Sidney High School, a position he held for 21 years. During his tenure, Gary was committed to his job and to the students he served as teacher, coach, principal and community leader. He possessed a sharp intellect, balanced with intuition that allowed him to read, understand and apply meaningful guidance to each individual in each situation. Through his patience and devotion, he challenged everyone to "be better next time" and to reach their potential. Students have commented that "Mr. Scavo was one of the best teachers that I have ever had."
Gary was a natural leader. He mentored hundreds of future leaders from within the student body and staff. He was the advisor to the Varsity Club and the Rotary Interact Club, and supported Odyssey of the Mind and FFA. He coached basketball for 13 years and golf for 9 years, where they were 5-year league champs with a record of 104-28-5. Proud of his career field, he served as a consultant for student teachers, negotiator and treasurer of the Sidney Teacher's Association, and President of the Delaware - Chenango Principals Association. As principal, Gary instituted college courses with SUC Delhi and Syracuse University, added Spanish, supported special needs students, implemented computer technology into all curriculum areas, expanded summer programs, instituted special senior activities, started the Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program, and coordinated the 100th year celebration of Sidney High School.
During his tenure as principal, Gary was a member of the Sidney Business, Community, Education Partnership; a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, charter member and president of the Tri-Town Boys and Girls Club, president of the Rotary Club, chair of its foreign exchange program and founding member of the Rotary Youth Leadership Program (RYLA). He volunteered every year for the Special Olympics, directed the Golden Valley Summer J.V. Basketball Tournament for 10 years, and was head statistician for the NJCAA Division 111 National Basketball Tournament at SUC Delhi, NY. He served as a United Way Captain and was involved with the formation of the Sidney Alumni Association.
In "retirement" Gary worked as an interim principal in six local school districts and then moved to New Orleans where he became a Professional Development and Workshop Presenter Consultant and an adjunct Professor of Education at Tulane University. In Sidney and elsewhere, his leadership was important to the betterment of the health and well-being of both school and his community.