We are thrilled to congratulate all of the honorees for their impressive achievements. The induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to attend.
Mrs. Rose Celentano - Class of 1961
Few individuals embody the spirit, pride, and lifelong commitment to the Farmingdale community as completely as Rose Celentano.
Mrs. Celentano, affectionately known to generations of students and families as “Mrs. C,” is a proud graduate of Farmingdale High School, Class of 1961. For more than five decades, she has devoted her time, energy, and heart to serving the youth and families of Farmingdale through tireless civic engagement, community service, and leadership. She is the true definition of what it means to be a “Daler.”
Rose has been actively involved in the Farmingdale community for over 50 years, serving as a board member of the Farmingdale Hawks, Head Coach for Varsity Football and Basketball Cheerleaders, and a constant presence at school and community events. Her dedication to youth athletics and school spirit led to the creation of the HAWK Cheerleading Award, recognizing excellence and commitment among cheerleaders. In honor of her extraordinary service to the Hawks organization, the Rose Celentano Award was established and is presented annually at the season-ending dinner—an enduring testament to her impact.
In 1982, Rose received an award and plaque from the Village of Farmingdale recognizing her dedication, efforts, and outstanding community service to the youth of Farmingdale. Notably, she was the first woman ever to receive this honor from the village. Her work included coaching, fundraising, running the Hawks snack shack, and supporting countless initiatives benefiting local children and families.
Rose and her husband Bob were also recognized for their extraordinary generosity and community spirit when the Daily News Magazine named their home the “Christmas House of Farmingdale” in 1987, featuring a full-page tribute and ranking it among the top three holiday displays on Long Island. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, tens of thousands of visitors came from across Long Island to experience their holiday display. Through this effort, the Celentano family raised and donated more than $98,000 to the American Cancer Society, and collaborated with Daleview Nursing Home to ensure residents could experience the joy of the decorations as well.
In 1984, legendary Farmingdale High School Football Coach and Athletic Director Don Snyder hired Rose as the Varsity Cheerleading Coach. She has served the Farmingdale School District for over 40 years in this and other cheer-related roles. Rarely missing a football or basketball game, Rose has been a fixture on the sidelines—steadfast, vocal, and unwavering in her support of every Farmingdale team. Hundreds of young women have been coached and mentored under her guidance, many of whom continue to seek her advice long after graduation.
Rose is a fierce advocate for the Farmingdale Cheer Program, a determined “bulldog” who believes every student deserves a chance to belong. She welcomes participants regardless of experience, treats coaching as a privilege rather than a job, personally mends uniforms, and ensures that every cheerleader feels valued. Her alumni remain deeply connected to her, frequently inviting her to weddings, baby showers, and life milestones—a testament to the lasting bonds she builds.
The committee has selected Rose Celentano for her lifelong commitment to community, school spirit, mentorship, and service has left an indelible mark on Farmingdale and generations of students .
Honorable Steven Connolly- Class of 1983
It is with great pride that we induct Honorable Steven Connolly, a member of the Farmingdale High School Class of 1983 to the Farmingdale Wall of Fame. Honorable Connolly exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a “Daler”, a distinguished professional who has never lost sight of the importance of community, service, and giving back to the place that helped shape him.
Judge Connolly earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University at Albany, SUNY, in May 1987, and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School of Union University in May 1990, graduating cum laude. While at the University at Albany, Steven demonstrated an early commitment to service and advocacy as President of the school’s chapter of the New York State College Council for Special Olympics, reflecting a lifelong dedication to supporting individuals with disabilities.
Honorable Steven Connolly legal career is both distinguished and impactful. He began as an associate attorney in private practice before entering public service as an Assistant Attorney General in the Litigation Bureau for New York State. After additional experience in private firms, Steven returned to public service with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), where he currently serves as Director and Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Bureau of Special Hearings. In this role, Honorable Connolly has made a meaningful difference for the children and families served by OCFS, ensuring fairness, integrity, and compassion in the administrative justice system. His excellence in public service has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Commissioner’s Award for OCFS 2005 Outstanding Team of the Year and the 2023 New York State Academy of Public Administration Public Service Excellence Award.
In addition to his accomplished legal career, Honorable Steven Connolly has remained deeply rooted in the Farmingdale community. He and his wife raised their two children in the Farmingdale School District, and has devoted more than two decades of volunteer service to Farmingdale PAL. Over the years, he has served as a coach, director, commissioner, and now an executive board member. Steven founded the Farmingdale PAL Wrestling Program, which continues to thrive, and currently runs Farmingdale PAL Baseball. Even with his leadership responsibilities, Honorable Connolly remains hands-on, serving as a director for K–2 PAL Basketball, where he nurtures the youngest athletes and helps instill a love of sports and teamwork.
Honorable Steven Connolly’s commitment to inclusivity in athletics continues today. In addition to his earlier leadership with Special Olympics at the collegiate level, he has volunteered to help run the inaugural season of Farmingdale PAL’s Special Needs Basketball Division, ensuring that all children have opportunities to participate, grow, and belong.
Steven Connolly is widely regarded as a Farmingdale PAL legend, having positively influenced countless young people by helping them channel their talents, discipline, and passion through sports. His tireless volunteerism earned him the 2024 Nassau County PAL Volunteer of the Year Award, a testament to his extraordinary dedication and impact.
The committee has selected Honorable Steven Connolly for his remarkable legal career, unwavering commitment to public service, and lifelong devotion to the Farmingdale community.
Mr. Glenn Padnick- Class of 1964
It is a privilege to induct Glenn Padnick, Class of 1964 to the Farmingdale High School Wall of Fame. Glenn’s life exemplified intellectual excellence, creative achievement, humility, and a profound commitment to service—values that reflect the very best of the Farmingdale School District.
Raised in Farmingdale after being born in Brooklyn, Glenn was a true student-athlete and leader during the school’s earliest years. He lettered in wrestling, served as Editor of The Daler, and was a member of the Key Club. Brilliant yet self-effacing, Glenn worked weekends and summers in his parents’ grocery store and credited his guidance counselor, Ms. Miller, with encouraging him to apply to Harvard College. He became the first graduate of Farmingdale High School to attend Harvard, where he wrote for The Harvard Crimson and later earned his law degree at Harvard Law School, serving on the Harvard Law Review.
Glenn went on to build one of the most influential careers in television history. After beginning as an entertainment lawyer, he transitioned into creative leadership. As President of Television at Castle Rock Entertainment, which he co-founded, Glenn developed and shepherded Seinfeld, widely regarded as the most iconic comedy of all time. Over nine seasons and 180 episodes, Glenn’s intelligence, creative rigor, and unmistakable laugh helped shape a show that defined an era. His career also included leadership roles on landmark series such as Different Strokes, The Facts of Life, Who’s the Boss, and Married with Children. In 2025, Glenn was honored during the Emmy Awards’ In Memoriam segment, the only television executive recognized that year.
Despite these extraordinary accomplishments, Glenn was defined not by accolades but by character. He was known throughout the industry for his humility, kindness, and belief in others. He personally read scripts from unknown writers, created opportunities for those who needed them, and quietly helped colleagues qualify for health insurance—acts that reflected his deep compassion and sense of fairness.
Glenn’s service extended far beyond entertainment. Living for decades with the rare disease Erdheim-Chester Disease, he served from 2011 to 2022 on the Board of the Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance, advocating for patients with limited access to care. He also served for many years as a trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association, sharing his love of America’s national parks and inspiring others through storytelling, advocacy, and leadership.
At heart, Glenn was a devoted family man and community builder, a hands-on parent, a loyal friend, and a generous mentor. His life demonstrated that success and humility can coexist, and that true leadership is measured by how one lifts others.
Honoring Glenn Padnick on the Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame celebrates not only a distinguished Daler, but a life lived with integrity, compassion, and enduring impact. Glenn passed away on February 27, 2025 at the age of 77 surrounded by his wife and children.