Valedictorian and Salutatorian Revealed

With great pleasure, we celebrate the incredible achievements of Shea Hiotidis and Jaylyn Umana, named Farmingdale High School's Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.

Your achievements thus far have been nothing short of remarkable, and we're confident that you'll continue to achieve great things. You have inspired your peers and demonstrated that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.

The Farmingdale School District, in collaboration with the Town of Oyster Bay, held a special street renaming ceremony on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. This event honored the late Farmingdale educators Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice “Bea” Ferrari, who tragically passed away on September 21, 2023, when a charter bus carrying 40 members of the Farmingdale High School marching band overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County on their way to a band camp in Pennsylvania.

The ceremony at Farmingdale High School was presided over by Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini. It featured performances by the Farmingdale High School Marching Band performances, Dalerettes, and Daler Guard. Attendees included Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and Oyster Bay Town Board members. New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, and John Mikulin were present. Representing Governor Kathy Hochul's office was Stevens Martinez, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The Farmingdale and South Farmingdale Fire Departments presented the honor guard, while the Junior Brigade led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Dalers Marching Band performed the National Anthem, and Rev. George Oppong Afriyie from St. Kilian Parish delivered the invocation and blessed the street signs.

Following remarks from Honorable Joseph Saladino and Honorable Bruce A. Blakeman, the families of Beatrice Ferrari and Gina Pellettiere shared heartfelt messages. Gina's mother, Diane, and her brother, Danny, inspired others to chase their passions, set goals, and cherish time with family. Bea's daughters, Angela Aldiere and Dina Lopresto, reminisced about treasured moments with their mother and her enthusiasm for the annual Farmingdale traditions, including the upcoming Halloween Parade at Farmingdale High School that passes right by her home. The families expressed profound gratitude to the Farmingdale community for supporting them through this challenging time. They hope these street signs will serve as a beacon for future generations, encouraging them to honor their loved ones and pursue their dreams.

After the speeches, the street signs were unveiled by Bea's grandson, Luke Aldiere, a senior at Farmingdale High School and a marching band member. Gina's son, Joseph, revealed her sign with help from her brothers, Anthony and Danny.

As students, faculty, residents, and visitors pass by 10th and 11th Streets along Woodward Parkway, they will forever remember two educators who gave their all—instilling knowledge, determination, curiosity, dedication, love, and hope in the lives of those they taught.

See more pictures HERE!

Spirit Week goes beyond simply uniting as a school; it’s an opportunity to come together as a community.

Pre-game celebrations featured mini pep rallies at Northside and Woodward Parkway Elementary Schools, where the school principals, Dr. Christopher Peterson and Dr. Patrick Klocek, launched the festivities alongside our cherished lion mascot, Dale.

Varsity football captains engaged with students about the importance of being supportive teammates and positive role models. Following this, students were treated to performances by the Varsity and JV Cheer teams, the Dalerettes, and the Step-n-Dalers.

A Community Project That’s Making a Splash

Five Koi fish were introduced into the new Commons Pond at Farmingdale High School. This project was made possible thanks to some generous community contributions, including:

• Starkie Brothers for the pond liner
• No Maintenance Decking for the deck boards
• Home Depot for the lumber
• Mr. Kevin Brennan of Bay Shore for the Koi fish
• Mr. Mike Pavese (FHS Security guard) for the concrete blocks
• Intro to the Skilled Trades course for the workforce

The creation of this vibrant oasis of life and tranquility is also thanks to the tireless dedication and passion of Mr. Matthew Hobbes. His dedication to creating this serene sanctuary, often on his own time, deserves our recognition and appreciation.

Learn MORE about our Technology Department's projects. Take a look at The Legacy—a monthly newsletter designed to keep the community informed about hands-on experiences in the shops at both Weldon E. Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School.

Farmingdale High School’s Musical Stars Gear Up for NYSSMA 2024

The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) has announced that eight exceptional musicians from Farmingdale High School have been chosen to perform at the esteemed 2024 NYSSMA Winter Conference. In addition, seven other students have been selected as alternates, highlighting the excellence of the district's music program and its continued recognition throughout the state.

The All-State musicians are considered the cream of the crop and are selected through a rigorous audition process that includes solo evaluations. The selected Farmingdale musicians include a diverse range of instrumentalists and vocalists, reflecting the school’s comprehensive music curriculum. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for music have earned them this distinguished opportunity, and they are eager to represent their school and community at the conference.

Greg Warnokowski, the Director of Fine and Performing Arts, shared his pride in the exceptionally talented musicians from the school. He highlighted how dedicated and hard-working these students are and gave a shout-out to the tremendous support they get from their families and teachers. “It’s more than just music; it’s all about the passion and commitment these young artists bring to their work. They inspire all of us and show how the arts can bring communities together.”

Here is the list of Farmingdale High School All-State musicians selected to perform at the 2024 NYSSMA Winter Conference:

• Lea Fredonis, junior, Treble Chorus, Alto II
• William Herbert, junior, Vocal Jazz, Tenor, Mixed Chorus, Tenor I, and Symphony Orchestra, Trombone
• Shea Hiotidis, senior, Symphony Orchestra, Bassoon
• Addison Moller, senior, Mixed Chorus, Alto I
• Vincent Oppedisano, senior, String Orchestra, Violin I
• Robert Silverstein, senior, Vocal Jazz, Bass and Mixed Chorus, Bass I
• Nicholas Suwalski, junior, Mixed Chorus, Tenor II
• Jaylyn Umana, senior, Symphonic Band, French Horn

Alternates:

• Sarah Aliendro, junior, Mixed Chorus, Alto II
• Manav Deshmukh, senior, Mixed Chorus, Tenor II
• Gabriella Pace, senior, Mixed Chorus, Soprano I
• Alexander Petrosini, senior, Mixed Chorus, Bass I
• Lily Sclafani, senior, Mixed Chorus, Alto II
• Sarah Sohl, junior, Cello
• Grace Stabile, junior, Bb Clarinet

The 2024 NYSSMA Winter Conference is December 5-8 in Rochester, New York.