Farmingdale Celebrates Music, Inclusion, and Community Pride with the All Abilities Drumline

The Farmingdale School District recently welcomed alumnus Brian Calhoun and his nationally recognized Calhoun Drum Academy, featuring the inspiring All Abilities Drumline, for a powerful collaboration celebrating music and inclusion.

This unique partnership unites individuals of all abilities through the shared language of rhythm and performance. The initiative will be featured in an upcoming professional documentary, produced by award-winning filmmakers based in New York City and scheduled for release in 2026. The film aims to redefine ability, promote inclusion, and showcase how music can bring communities together.

The collaboration’s first event, the Marching for All Unified Performance, took place on Saturday, October 4, at the Farmingdale High School turf field. The evening was filled with joy, energy, and emotion as the All Abilities Drumline joined the Farmingdale High School Marching Band for a unified performance that left the audience inspired. The highlight of the night was a moving, all-inclusive rendition of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

And the celebration isn’t over yet! The All Abilities Drumline will return to Farmingdale for a special encore performance during halftime at the Farmingdale vs. Massapequa football game on Saturday, October 18. This encore will once again spotlight the spirit of unity, community pride, and musical excellence that defines the Daler community.

The Farmingdale School District is proud to stand behind initiatives that celebrate every student’s voice, rhythm, and potential. Together, we continue to march forward—for all.

Farmingdale High School is thrilled to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of its students in the 71st National Merit Scholarship Program!

Collin Ramos has advanced as a Semifinalist, an incredible honor that places him among the nation’s top academic achievers. As a Semifinalist, he now has the exciting opportunity to continue in the competition for a National Merit Scholarship by showcasing his exceptional academics, leadership, and accomplishments. Winners will be announced between April and July, and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way!

The district also proudly recognizes Christopher Cruciata, William Herbert, Nicholas Zito, and Anthony McKee as Commended Students. This honor places them among the top 50,000 students nationwide who excelled on the 2024 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. While they may not be advancing as Semifinalists, their remarkable achievements reflect outstanding academic potential, and we look forward to seeing their continued success.

Congratulations to all! Your dedication and hard work make our community proud!

Farmingdale Unites for a Week of Spirit and a Homecoming to Remember

Don Snyder Stadium was bursting with Daler Pride as Spirit Week came to an unforgettable close! Fresh off setting a Long Island record with 495 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in a 64–57 win over Oceanside, senior Josh Kama once again delivered, running for 166 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Dalers to a 35–7 Homecoming victory over Herricks. The celebration didn’t stop there. The halftime show lit up the night with incredible performances by the Farmingdale High School Marching Band, Cheerleaders, Daler Guard, and Dalerettes.

Friday’s Homecoming tradition kicked off with an electrifying pep rally in the high school gym, led by Farmingdale High School Principal Jed Herman. The lively sounds of the pep band and drumline filled the air as football players were introduced to roaring cheers from their classmates. The energy continued to build with dazzling performances from the junior and varsity cheerleaders, the Dalerettes, and the Steppin’ Dalers. Varsity captains representing all fall sports then proudly took center stage, earning a round of well-deserved applause. The rally reached its peak when the drumline wowed the crowd with an unforgettable upside-down, blindfolded drum routine that brought the house down.

In the days leading up to Homecoming, Farmingdale High School was buzzing with excitement as Spirit Week unfolded. Each day featured a fun and creative theme, such as Tropical Wear, Tie-Dye Day, Decades Day, and, of course, Daler Gear, allowing students to showcase their personalities.

Adding to the excitement, high school students carried the Daler spirit into the community by visiting the district’s elementary schools, where they hosted mini pep rallies, shared their enthusiasm, and spoke to the youngest Dalers about the importance of being good friends, good students, and great teammates.

Homecoming 2025 was more than just a week of games, rallies, and spirited themes—it was a celebration of what makes Farmingdale truly special. From the youngest students to high school seniors, from families in the stands to alums returning home, the entire community came together to showcase its unmatched pride, unity, and heart. Spirit Week was a shining reminder that in Farmingdale, tradition runs deep, friendships last a lifetime, and the Daler Pride grows stronger with every generation.

Farmingdale High School is proud to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2026: Nicholas Zito and Anthony McKee.

Nicholas earned the distinction of Valedictorian by achieving the highest cumulative GPA among 426 students, while Anthony secured the Salutatorian honor with his outstanding academic achievements.

As Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Nicholas and Anthony will deliver speeches at Farmingdale's Graduation Ceremony on June 16, 2026. They will also be honored, along with their families, at a celebratory breakfast hosted by the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, joined by Principal Jed Herman and Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini.

The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) has announced that eleven exceptional musicians from Farmingdale High School have been chosen to perform at the esteemed 2025 NYSSMA Winter Conference. In addition, two 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.

The 2025 NYSSMA Winter Conference is December 4-7 in Rochester, New York.

Here’s the list of students! Several talented musicians were selected for more than one ensemble, but each had to choose just one to perform with.

• Devanshi Arora - Mixed Chorus (also selected as an alternate for Cello)
• Ashley Betts - Treble Chorus
• Christopher Cruciata - Symphonic Band (also selected as an alternate for Bass 2)
• Jackson Defendini - Symphonic Band
• Peter Esposito - Mixed Chorus
• Lea Fredonis - Vocal Jazz (also selected for Mixed Chorus)
• William Herbert - Vocal Jazz (also selected for Mixed Chorus and Symphonic Band)
• Kayleigh Murphy- Symphony Orchestra
• Sarah Sohl - Symphony Orchestra
• Grace Stabile - Wind Ensemble (also selected for Symphonic Band)
• Nicholas Suwalski - Vocal Jazz (also selected for Symphony Orchestra and as an alternate for Mixed Chorus)
• Dylan Moritz - Alternate - Euphonium
• Leo Scardina - Alternate - Tenor 2