Celebrity Chef Sakari Smithwick whisked back to Farmingdale High School on November 5th, revisiting the kitchen where the first ingredients of his storied career were measured. Long before he was starring on shows like Hell's Kitchen and Chopped, working on his upcoming cookbook, and hosting his culinary podcast, Chef was one of Ms. Akeson's star students in the High School culinary department.

“Today’s visit to Farmingdale High School was a full-circle moment for me”, said Chef Sakari Smithwick. “It was in this very classroom that I first fell in love with cooking and realized it could become a lifelong passion and career for me.”

During his visit, Chef Sakari spent time engaging directly with students while also leading an exciting culinary demonstration where he flipped and served a perfect batch of gluten-free pancakes. Following the tasting, Chef openly discussed how his high school culinary experience was crucial in shaping his journey and laying the foundation for his multifaceted career in food, media, and publishing.

Chef Sakari Smithwick shared “As I prepare for the debut of my cookbook and memoir “Savor Your Journey”, I highlight my experience at Farmingdale High School and Ms. Akeson’s leadership. I will always hold Farmingdale High School close to my heart and thankful that I got to experience the school’s continued mission to nurture the next generation of chefs, dreamers, and entrepreneurs. I truly believe the key relationships such as these are the ultimate ingredients to achieving success.”

Chef Sakari Smithwick is a proud member of the Farmingdale High School Class of 2012.

What an incredible day for our Theatre 2 students! On October 30, a group of 15 talented actors traveled to Hofstra University's Annual Shakespeare Festival to perform, learn, and compete.

Our students dove into the world of The Bard by participating in dynamic workshops taught by Hofstra drama professors, including: Speaking Shakespeare, Stage Combat, and Improv Techniques. They also enjoyed an amazing one-hour performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, acted out by Hofstra students!

The highlight was our students' stunning performance of a scene from Henry IV Part 1. They competed against several other schools and received amazing feedback on their work! The judges specifically heaped praise on:  

• The students' strong connectivity during the scene.  
• Their excellent use of the stage.  
• A deep understanding of the text.

Special shoutouts to Jesse Arcuri, Cassie Hill and Wyatt Smith, Kayla Hayden, Ty Rambeau, Danica Mistretta, and Tyler Davies for their outstanding individual contributions!

A massive congratulations to Jesse Arcuri who won Best Male Performer at the award presentation! He received a certificate and a well-deserved scholarship to Hofstra.

Seniors brought the scares and the laughs!

The 2025 Halloween Costume Contest at Farmingdale High School was a total spectacle. Now the judges have the daunting task of selecting the winner who gets to claim Principal Herman's parking spot for an entire week!

On October 31st, seniors marched in the Annual Halloween Parade, embracing the tradition that marks a crucial milestone in their high school journey.

Parents line the street to cheer the seniors on as they travel to Woodward Parkway, greeted by shrieks of delight from the younger students. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer on the Class of 2026 and celebrate this spooktacular rite of passage!

Farmingdale High School was beaming as it hosted the 5th Annual Safe Halloween Event, a sweet, safe day filled with fun for our littlest Dalers. On Saturday, October 25, the school transformed into a magical Halloween destination. The excitement started right outside, as the PTA Council hosted a wonderful Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. This lovely partnership gave community families double the fun, offering treats outside before they headed in for the indoor adventure.

Hundreds of tiny trick-or-treaters, dressed as superheroes, princesses, and cartoon characters entered the high school to explore themed hallways. Our creative students transformed the halls into delightful areas, such as Candy Land, Toon Town, The Land of Oz, Superhero City, and Cyber Space. Theater students, entirely in character, handed out candy, interacted with our little guests, and posed for photographs.

After gathering their treats, families took a blast to the past in the gymnasium, which became a cheerful 1950s diner. The air smelled delicious, with the scent of popcorn and cotton candy. Students dressed as adorable cheerleaders and greasers served up milkshakes. The fun continued with a vibrant Día de los Muertos dance performance and a face-painting station, where young faces were magically transformed into unicorns, tigers, and more!

Organizing such a fantastic event requires many hands! The Theater Program students dedicated weeks to planning and decorating and many groups contributed to bringing the Theatre 4 students' fun ideas to life, including the Music and Art Departments, Playcrafters, Real Harmony, the Environmental Club, and Life Skills classes. A huge thank you to every student and faculty member who made this Safe Halloween so special for our community!

Give Us Your Feedback!

Did your family attend this year? The Theater students who planned this fantastic event would be so grateful for your feedback! Please click here to complete a quick survey and help them keep the fun going next year.