skip to main content

Current News

CHE BELLO

Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale thumbnail247177
Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale thumbnail247178
Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale thumbnail247179
Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale thumbnail247180
Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale thumbnail247181

The Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale awarded Farmingdale High School Senior Isabella Pulsonetti the Giovanni & Rosa Maurici Scholarship of $1,000 on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The scholarship was presented during the society’s monthly meeting at Ellsworth Allen Park.

“Isabella’s qualifications are outstanding,” said President Thea Schiralli. “The Italian Cultural Society of Famringdale is very impressed and proud of your achievements and wishes you further success.”

Isabella spoke proudly of her Italian heritage and its impact on her life. After being presented with the scholarship Isabella, surrounded by several family members, celebrated with delicious dolci prepared especially for her by the Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale.

“My Italian heritage has molded my core values, such as the importance of family,” said Isabella Pulsonetti. “Through my Italian heritage, I have strengthened my identity as a family-oriented, inquisitive, and caring individual.”

To qualify for this scholarship, Isabella wrote an essay discussing why she chose to study Italian, why she’s proud to be Italian, and what role this will play in her future. Applicants must also be a senior in high school, a relative of an ICSF member, be of Italian heritage, currently studying the Italian language, rank in the top 25% of the Italian class, be active in school and community organizations, submit a transcript, and have a letter of recommendation from their Italian language teacher.

OVER THE RAINBOW

OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247134
OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247138
OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247139
OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247140
OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247141
OVER THE RAINBOW thumbnail247142

Farmingdale High School's Theatre 3 presented their children's theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz" to elementary students at Saltzman East Memorial and Woodward Parkway. The script allowed the cast to interact with the audience in a fun way while also teaching children about friendship, never giving up on your goals, and being thankful for what you have. Glen Beck's Theatre 3 students ran the show in front of and behind the curtains.

CAST

  • Dorothy…………………………………………….….Nova Bulin
  • Scarecrow………………………………………………Ava Zimic
  • Tinman………………………………………………Allison Banz
  • Lion………………………………………………..Lucia Assalone
  • Glinda………………………………………….…Bella Mcdonald
  • Witch/Ms Gulch………………………………..Audrey Anderson
  • Aunt Em/Guard………………………………………Emily Gaba
  • The Wizard/Tree……………………………………Griffin Buksa
  • Nikko/Munchkin 2…………………………...…...Isabella Winter
  • Munchkin 1/Swing………………………………...Kairi Knudsen
  • Munchkin 3……………………..…Maggie Seidel and Ava Lanot

 

PRODUCTION STAFF

  • Directors……………………...…………………Maggie Seidel and Ava Lanot
  • Choreographer……………………..………………...……………..Ava Zimic
  • Producer……………………………………...…………………Mr. Glen Beck
  • Music Directors……………………….....Audrey Anderson and Griffin Buksa
  • Stage Manager……………………………………..…..……….…...Ava Golio Assistant
  • Stage Manager……………………….…………...…Kairi Knudsen
  • Front of House……………………………………………....…Lucia Assalone
  • Set Design/Technician……………………………………………….JT Arpaio
  • Sound………………………………………………..…..Kiara Gamez Medina
  • Lighting………………………………………………....…….…...Joely Casco
  • Costumes……………………………………………………...……Nova Bulin
  • MakeUp/Hair…………………………………….....………..……Emily Gaba
  • Props………………………………………………..………….Bella Mcdonald
  • Scenic Designers………………………….…Allison Banz and Isabella Winter
  • Running Crew…………..…...………..Nutalya Rivera and Allsion Hernandez

SPRING CONCERTS

Spring Concerts 2023 thumbnail247055

All concerts will be held in person this spring season! No ticket necessary to attend. Concerts will also be live-streamed, so family members and friends can view them from home. The links will be posted here shortly before the start of each performance.

March 6, 2023—Farmingdale’s All District Orchestra Concert

March 31, 2023—Farmingdale High School POPS Concert

April 27, 2023—Farmingdale Public Schools Jazz Showcase

May 4, 2023—Howitt Middle School 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Orchestra Spring Concert

May 10, 2023—Howitt Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Chorus Concert

May 15, 2023—Farmingdale High School Spring Concert #1

May 17, 2023—Howitt Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Band Spring Concert

May 18, 2023—Farmingdale High School Spring Concert #2

May 19, 2023—Saltzman East Memorial Elementary Senior Spring Concert

May 19, 2023— Woodward Parkway Spring Concert

May 22, 2023—Farmingdale High School Spring Concert #3

May 23, 2023—Howitt Middle School 6th Grade Band & Chorus Spring Concert

May 24, 2023—Albany Avenue Junior Spring Concert

May 25, 2023—Northside Elementary Senior Spring Concert

May 31, 2023—Albany Avenue Senior Spring Concert

June 2, 2023—Saltzman East Memorial Jr. Spring Concert

 

February 15, 2023—Farmingdale High School's Chamber Concert & 9th Grade Band

GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS

GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS thumbnail246966
GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS thumbnail246967
GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS thumbnail246968
GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS thumbnail246969

Farmingdale High School seniors Kiley Cacace and Madison Krug have been recognized in Columbia Scholastic Press's Gold Circle Awards.

Gold Circle awards celebrate individual achievement by student writers, editors, designers, and photographers. Kiley and Madison had artwork published in Farmingdale High School's student-run Labyrinth Art and Literary Magazine. Advisors Courtney Cozzetto and Laura Steffen selected these pieces for submittal to Columbia Scholastic Press. Over 4,000 entries were submitted. Both Dalers were recognized.

Kiley Cacace received a Certificate of Merit in the "Photo illustration" category for her digital artwork titled "Distortion."

Madison Krug took First Place in the category "Single Subject Feature Package, Single Page Design" for her artwork titled "Robbed."

WALL OF FAME

Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246950
Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246951
Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246952
Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246953
Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246954
Wall of Fame ceremony thumbnail246955

At the Farmingdale School District, it is a time-honored tradition to recognize community members who have made a significant, positive impact. This year was no different. Three new honorees of the Farmingdale community will soon grace Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame. The 2023 inductees include Melissa Firmes-Ray (Class of 1991), Kevin Bayen (Class of 1975), and Dr. Monica Lockwood (Class of 1980). On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, an intimate ceremony at Howitt Middle School was held in the courtyard. Family, friends, District Administrators, and Board of Education members joined the honorees. Watch the Wall of Fame ceremony HERE

“The Wall of Fame is not about being the most successful in your career,” said Farmingdale High School Assistant Principal and Chairperson of the Wall of Fame Committee, Carla Stillwell. “It’s about giving back to the community.”

Farmingdale High School journalists from the school’s newspaper, “The Paper Lion,” interviewed the honorees before the ceremony. Each spoke briefly to the crowd about what they learned and how these recipients inspired them.

Mrs. Melissa Firmes-Ray earned her Associate’s Degree from Farmingdale State College, a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Joseph’s College, and a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. Mrs. Firmes-Ray is the distinguished president and co-founder of KIDS NEED MORE, an organization dedicated to bringing programs and support to children and families coping with cancer, including Camp Adventure, where children with cancer and their siblings have the opportunity to attend a week-long sleep-away camp. Mrs. Firmes-Ray is an avid volunteer and has experience with many local and community boards, including Kiwanis, NYAPRS, COCA-I, and NAMI. The American Cancer Society has recognized her as Volunteer of the Year, earned the title of Town of Babylon Woman of Distinction, and her efforts have been documented by Newsday, ABC, and Channel 12 News. Mrs. Firmes-Ray builds healing communities for families coping with life’s most significant challenges. Based on her professional accomplishments and her community commitments, the Wall of Fame Committee views Mrs. Firmes-Ray as an excellent role model for students.

Mr. Kevin Bayen completed his Bachelor’s Degree at LIU Post and continued his graduate studies there and at Brooklyn College. Mr. Bayen’s music education career began in Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools, where he served as a teacher and then as the high school band director. Mr. Bayen held multiple leadership positions within NYSSMA, including All-State Instrumental Jazz Chairperson, president of the Nassau Music Educators Association, and the president of the Nassau County Chapter of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education. Mr. Bayen was a Supervisor of Teachers for SUNY Fredonia and trained educators to be adjudicators for the NYSSMA Large Organization Festivals. Mr. Bayen’s service to public education and impact on students and educators has been heralded with Grammy recognition, NYSSMA’s Distinguished Service Award, and The Award of Excellence. On March 11, 2022, Mr. Bayen lost his courageous battle with cancer. He dedicated his life to music education and leadership and has left a profound mark on all those that knew him.

Dr. Monica Lockwood completed her B.S. at Niagara University, her M.S. at SUNY Buffalo, and her Medical Degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Lockwood works in Bridgeport, CT, and specializes in Internal Medicine. She is affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center and works with several volunteer organizations to provide medical care in her community and communities in need worldwide. She is a volunteer physician at the Bridgeport Free Clinic, proudly serving patients without insurance and accessibility to medical treatment. Additionally, Dr. Lockwood is a dedicated member of many organizations, including Americares Global Response Team, Health Horizons International, and Health Education for Haiti. Dr. Lockwood’s dedication to underserved and in-need populations has led her to the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Poland following the Ukraine crisis. Due to her passion for tending to underserved communities, she received the Patch Adams Award from the Fairfield County Medical Association and the Geoffrey H. Bourne Award in recognition of outstanding integrity and motivation from St. George’s University School of Medicine.

Farmingdale’s Wall of Fame was established to honor distinguished Farmingdale High School alumni now serving as role models for the school community. Located in the high school lobby, the Wall of Fame is an homage to these community trailblazers and displays plaques for all honorees from years past. Candidates for the Wall of Fame must have graduated from Farmingdale at least ten years ago and have demonstrated success in their chosen professions following graduation.

By The Numbers