At the Farmingdale School District, it is a time-honored tradition to recognize community members who have made a significant, positive impact. This year was no different. Three new honorees of the Farmingdale community will soon grace Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame. The 2022 inductees include Linda DiOrio (Class of 1971), Daniel Kornfeld (Class of 1978), and Dr. Neil Strickman (Class of 1969). On Tuesday, April 26th, 2022, an intimate ceremony was held in the lecture hall at Farmingdale High School. Honorees were joined by family, friends, District Administrators, and Board of Education members.
“The Wall of Fame is not about being the most successful in your career,” said Farmingdale High School Assistant Principal and Chairperson of the Wall of Fame Committee, Jed Herman. “It’s about giving back to the community.”
Farmingdale High School students also got involved with the ceremony. Journalists from the school’s newspaper, “The Paper Lion,” interviewed the honorees before the ceremony. Each spoke briefly to the crowd about what they learned and how these recipients inspired them.
The late Linda DiOrio attended the University of Oneonta, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Elementary Education. After Ms. DiOrio’s son, Erik, lost his battle with drug addiction in 2008, she galvanized her pain into a cautionary tale to share with teens and parents about the dangers of drug addiction. Ms. DiOrio presented at school events and public forums, sharing her family's story. Erik's tragedy was featured in Newsday in 2008 and 2009, where she stated, “It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to join together to work for change to protect them.” Mrs. DiOrio was the founder of the Erik DiOrio Memorial Scholarship, presented annually at the Senior Awards Night to reward those who “Like Erik” work with their hands. She wanted them to know their lives have value and that self-esteem breeds success and turn children away from drugs. Linda’s husband John and twin sister Nancy Harris accepted the award on her behalf.
Mr. Daniel Kornfeld graduated from Hofstra University in 1982. He has worked in the public relations and communications industry for over twenty years and currently serves as the Administrations Supervisor for the Town of Oyster Bay. Mr. Kornfeld was both a Farmingdale Baseball League Coach and Treasurer. Mr. Kornfeld was active with the PAL, where he was both a Coach and Basketball Commissioner for twelve years and served on the Board as its Vice President for fourteen years. Mr. Kornfeld was an original member of the Farmingdale Community Summit and served as its Treasurer for sixteen years. Mr. Kornfeld is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving on its Board for over twelve years. Mr. Kornfeld is also an active volunteer for many charitable organizations such as Winning Beyond Winning, Firefighters Charitable Foundations, VFW Post 516, John Theissen Children’s Foundation, and is a founding member of the Massapequa- Farmingdale’s Men’s Club.
Dr. Neil Strickman graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Buffalo and received his M.D. from Syracuse University. Dr. Strickman is a former co-director of the non-invasive department of the Baylor St Luke's Medical Center (1982-1985) and was the 2016 Educator of the Year for Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Strickman currently works at Hall-Garcia Cardiology Associates at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is the region's only authorized physician investigator of carotid artery neck blockages for the Sapphire trial comparing surgery to stenting for patients at extremely high risk. Dr. Strickman has completed over 1,700 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement procedures (TAVR) and published over 100 articles.
Farmingdale’s Wall of Fame was established to honor distinguished Farmingdale High School alumni now serving as role models for the school community. Located in the high school lobby, the Wall of Fame is an homage to these community trailblazers and displays plaques for all honorees from years past. Candidates for the Wall of Fame must have graduated from Farmingdale at least ten years ago and have demonstrated success in their chosen professions following graduation.
VIDEO--2022 Wall of Fame Ceremony