Howitt Middle School's chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 119 new members into the prestigious organization on Monday, November 22. The inductees exemplify the virtues of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character. These students are enrolled in rigorous classes but still manage to make time for clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities. These are remarkable students, and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and their families for a job well done.

PHOTOS (Part 1) National Junior Honor Society

PHOTOS (Part 2) National Junior Honor Society

The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 20th. The parade featured the Dalers Marching Band, Dalerettes, and Santa!

HOLIDAY PARADE HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome to the Caribbean! The Farmingdale High School Playcrafters proudly present their rendition of Once on This Island. An exciting one-act musical based on My Love, My Love: or The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. A story about a peasant girl falling in love above her class, told around a fire by a group of Caribbean peasants as they wait out a terrible storm.

“Once on This Island is one of my favorite musicals of all time,” said Farmingdale High School Director Ms. Jessica Mischke. “This beautiful story of how one seemingly insignificant girl becomes myth and hope for those she left behind demonstrates how the good we do echoes and continues long after our lives are over.”

The standout cast, which featured several NYSSMA honored all-state musicians, kept the audience engaged throughout the entire one-act musical. Juniors Molly Keena and Makai Jones performed the starring roles of fearless peasant girl Ti Moune and her affluent love interest Daniel. The powerful island gods, Erzulie (Trinity Babino), Asaka (Raniyah Elguerouat), Papa Ge (Rebecca Kenjesky), and Agwe (Matthew Murrell), guided Ti Moune on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who captured her heart. Ti Moune’s adoptive mother and father were played by seniors Riley Leahy and Ben Hoffman. Sophomores Ryan Sweeney and Ava Monteleone had the roles of Daniels’s father and fiance. Rounding out the cast, playing the part of the little girl, was Albany Avenue Elementary School fourth-grader Stella Levenson.

“We are so grateful to perform our annual musical,” said Farmingdale High School Director, Ms. Jessica Mischke. “Once on This Island demonstrates that by giving love and sharing our stories, we can bring everyone together toward the greater good.”

No musical production would be complete without a reliable, talented production staff. Pit Conductor Mr. Ed Kozlowski led the orchestra, assisted by Mrs. Pat Facchiano, while Ms. Jamie Capasso and Mr. Erik Chocianowski headed design and construction. Lastly, Mr. Joseph Hasset, Mrs. Cherie Dreyfus, and Mr. Corey Sterler managed lighting and sound.

Director Jessica Mischke and Assistant Director/Choreographer Erik Mischke’s presentation of Once on This Island was a colorful tale of inspiration and hope. A beautiful gift from the Farmingdale Playcrafters to our community as we enter the holiday season.

PART 1 HIGHLIGHTS FROM ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

PART 2 HIGHLIGHTS FROM ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

PART 3 HIGHLIGHTS FROM ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

PART 4 HIGHLIGHTS FROM ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

The class of 2023 celebrated a milestone at Farmingdale High School, the Junior Ring Ceremony. This ceremony is special for the juniors, as it recognizes all the hard work they’ve done, thus far. Family and friends gathered together to commemorate their progress through high school. The rings are a reflection of all the memories and hard work students have achieved at Farmingdale.

Junior year is one of the hardest and most stressful years, but this ceremony is a celebration of the junior’s character and strength. It serves as a reminder for the class of 2023 to work together and not let the upcoming years divide them in competition as they take standardized tests and apply for college. The junior ring is a keepsake that these young men and women will keep forever and symbolize their years as a Daler.

Highlights from Jr Class Ring Ceremony