A High School Senior's Musical Workshop Bridges the Gap Between Generations, Turning the Child Lab Into a Symphony of Early Learning.

This past Wednesday, Emily Azimzadeh transformed a standard school day into a hands-on musical exploration for the youngest learners on our campus.

Under the guidance of teacher Mrs. Sophia Kaufman, students from the Child Lab visited the music department for a specialized workshop. Rather than simply watching a performance, the children were invited to touch, hold, and play various instruments. Emily Azimzadeh led the group through a series of imitation games, teaching the children how to find their own rhythm through active play.

This collaboration isn't just a sweet moment; it's a masterclass in leadership and sensory-rich education. As part of "Music In Our Schools Month," teacher Mrs. Sophia Kaufman and her students are proving that the best way to learn an art form is to touch it, shake it, and play it.

The success of this workshop paves the way for future projects across Farmingdale High School. We look forward to seeing how these early musical sparks grow into a lifelong passion for the arts for our students.

The air in the convention hall hummed with the nervous energy of 3,000 aspiring professionals. Among them, 51 members of our DECA members stood ready, clutching polished presentations and adjusted blazers. These students were not just attending a meeting; they were stepping into the high-stakes world of international business.

From Workshops to Winners

From Wednesday, March 4, 2026, to Friday, March 6, 2026, students engaged in rigorous individual role-play events, presentation categories, and written exams. Between competitions, they attended leadership workshops and networked with peers from across New York State. The dedication shown through months of planning and studying was evident as our students gained new technical skills and professional confidence.

Celebrating Excellence

The district is proud to announce that nine of our students earned top honors for their exceptional performance:

• Christian Ventura – Sports & Entertainment Marketing: Top 10 Role Play 2
• Andrew Romance – Financial Consulting: Top 10 Presentation and Top 10 Overall
• Zara Mir – Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling: Top 10 Presentation and Top 10 Overall
• Emma Nivar and Leo Scardina – Innovation Plan: Top 10 Overall
• Anna Carle and Giuliana Depascale – Community Giving Project: Top 10 Overall

Looking Toward Atlanta

The journey continues for two of our standout performers. Elise Kelly and Emma Kelly secured 4th Place in New York State for their Community Giving Project. This achievement earns them a spot at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We look forward to seeing our students represent the district on the global stage as they continue to build the foundations of their future careers.

Congratulations to the Farmingdale High School Varsity Cheer team!

On March 7 in Binghamton, the Dalers captured the New York State Class A Championship, marking a historic moment for the program. After finishing third three years ago and runner-up the past two seasons, the team’s perseverance paid off with a well-earned state title.

Our student-athletes deserve tremendous credit for their hard work, determination, and countless hours spent perfecting their routine.

This achievement also reflects the dedication and leadership of the coaching staff, as well as the incredible support of families who make the long practices and competitions possible.

“We pushed the skill level every year,” Farmingdale coach Caitlin Beatrice said. “The hardest routine as far as difficulty and a number of skills were packed into the routine to help us produce the highest scores.”

This victory caps a record-breaking season and an incredible journey to the top. Way to go, Dalers!

Farmingdale Playcrafters Present Tuck Everlasting

Adventure, family, and the profound mystery of time took center stage as the Farmingdale Playcrafters brought the whimsical yet moving story of Tuck Everlasting to the community. Based on the beloved novel by Natalie Babbitt and the 2016 Broadway musical, the production explored the bittersweet reality of what it truly means to live.

In a creative move to bring the audience closer to the story, the production featured thrust seating. By placing rows of seats directly on the stage on three sides of the performance area, the district created an intimate environment that drew the community into the magical woods of Treegap. While this unique layout offered a powerful, up-close perspective, the limited seating capacity meant that tickets were spoken for quickly.

Because the original performances sold out in just thirty minutes, the district added a special preview on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to accommodate more guests. That same day, the cast performed a daytime preview specifically for theater students from Howitt Middle School. This event allowed younger performers to see the high school stage from a professional vantage point, fostering a strong bond between the schools.

Directed by Mr. Glen J. Beck, the production was anchored in a singular concept: The Visual Language of Time. The staging highlighted the contrast between the Tucks, who are "stuck" like stones in a stream, and Winnie Foster, a changing force of nature.

"This production holds a special place in the history of Playcrafters," said Director Glen J. Beck. "For the first time, our current advisors—Ms. Mischke, Ms. Capasso, and I have had the opportunity to work side by side on a single production. This collaboration has united the club in a way that mirrors the show's central theme: the importance of the families we are born into and the ones we choose."

The ensemble cast brought this folk-inspired score and heartfelt story to life with grace and energy:

• Cassie Hill starred as Winnie Foster, portraying her growth from a sheltered girl to a woman of her own choosing.
• Devin Williams captured the adventurous spirit of Jesse Tuck.
• William Herbert brought depth to the role of Miles Tuck.
• Sofia Grago and Nicholas Suwalski led the Tuck household as Mae and Angus Tuck.
• Jesse Arcuri portrayed the mysterious and calculated Man in the Yellow Suit.
• Gabbi Martinez and Angel Hernandez provided comedic relief through their witty performances as Constable Joe and Hugo.

The production also featured a stunning "The Story of Winnie Foster" ballet, choreographed by Layla Tarello, featuring Keira Hayden (Teenage Winnie) and Layla Tarello (Older Winnie).

The immersive world of Treegap, New Hampshire, was brought to life through the scenic brilliance of Ms. Jamie Capasso and the musical direction of Ms. Jessica Mischke. The production was further elevated by the artistry of community member Erika Wells, a Broadway, film, and TV wig stylist who volunteered her talents as Wig Designer. Lighting and sound, supervised by Mr. Joseph Hassett, ensured that every audience member felt the "magic" of the spring.

The production included a special matinee on March 7 at 1:00 PM featuring a dedicated group of Swings, including Sofia Lambright (Winnie), Lea Fredonis (Mae), and Chris Cruciata (Miles), who stepped into lead roles.

By blending whimsy with existential questions, the Farmingdale Playcrafters' performance of Tuck Everlasting celebrated the timeless allure of a good story and invited the audience to look inward and ask: If you could live forever, would you?

Standing before the gleaming display in the main lobby, Nicholas Zito and Anthony McKee see their names joined with decades of Farmingdale High School history. Above them, large digital screens cycle through a timeline of past scholars, while the custom shelving below houses their own plaques and news clippings. For these two students, the Legacy Gallery is a bridge between the legends who came before them and the bright futures they are about to build.

The Evolution of Excellence

For decades, the district preserved the names of its top scholars on traditional plaques. As the walls filled with generations of distinguished alumni, the space was thoughtfully reimagined. Today, the Legacy Gallery features a high-definition digital archive. This modern approach ensures that every valedictorian and salutatorian remains a permanent, searchable part of our school’s story. Alongside the digital screen, dedicated physical plaques and photographs highlight our current honorees, blending our rich history with a forward-looking vision.

Read more about the Class of 2026's Val and Sal