Farmingdale High School senior Rebecca Kenjesky has been named a Merit Award Winner by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) for the 2022-2023 school year. Rebecca’s profile will be featured in Newsday for June highlighting her academic and artistic successes in the area of theatre.

Rebecca has been very involved with Farmingdale’s theatre program, performing in the fall musical and spring drama productions. Her credits include Hairspray (Dynamites), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), 12 Angry Jurors (Juror #10), Once On This Island (Papa Ge), Puffs (Narrator), and The Little Mermaid (Ursula). Rebecca’s newest role will be Leading Player in Farmingdale High School Playcrafter’s fall production, Pippin.

“Through the course of her four years, I can honestly say Rebecca has worked very hard to incorporate much of the training taught into her work both in and out of school,” said Farmingdale High School theater teacher Glen Beck. “One can see her using acting beats and verbs in her work and telling the story of the journey of a song. She has listened to constructive criticism and is one to grab every opportunity and use it as a learning tool. Rebecca’s personality and persistence will serve her well in her performance life.”

The LIAA Merit Award is the latest honor stowed upon Rebecca. In 2021 her performance as Mrs. Potts was nominated for and advanced to the final stage of the Roger Rees awards for excellence in student performance. Rebecca also represented Farmingdale at Nassau Community College’s Monologue Competition in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, Rebecca has been selected for the All-National Chorus by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). She will perform this November in Maryland at the All-National Music Conference.

“Working with Rebecca has been an absolute joy over the last three years,” said Farmingdale High Schoo teacher and fall musical director Jessica Mischke. “I am continuously impressed with every song she sings and every role she plays. She never ceases to amaze both myself and her peers."

The Scholar-Artist Awards program, sponsored by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), recognizes students judged to be “the best of the best” on Long Island in academics and the arts. The Scholar-Artist Awards program partners with Newsday to continue this vital program for the 17th year. An Awards Ceremony will be held in the Spring to celebrate this year’s class of Scholar-Artists and Merit Award Winners.

Farmingdale School District Unveils New Aquatic Center

Farmingdale School District held an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new state-of-the-art Aquatic Center on September 8, 2002, before the varsity girls’ first meet of the season. Athletes, swim team alums, current and former Daler swim coaches, administration, the Board of Education, Village Trustees, and the architecture and construction firms who brought the district’s vision to life were in attendance. Farmingdale Schools Superintendent Paul Defendini addressed the crowd and thanked everyone involved with the project before giving varsity swim captains the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

The Aquatic Center was part of a multi-million dollar project undertaken by the Farmingdale School District in 2016, just as the high school pool approached the fifty-year mark.

"Pools aren't supposed to live for fifty years," said Superintendent Paul Defendini. "If you get thirty, you're lucky. Forty is a miracle, and fifty is unheard of. The fact that we were nearing our fiftieth anniversary made us realize we had to do something.”

Residents approved a $36 million bond for the sports complex and aquatic center during the budget vote that year. The bond allowed for the rebuilding of Farmingdale High School’s stadium, construction of new baseball, softball, and multi-purpose stadiums at Howitt Middle School, and upgrades to every field in the school district.

"This facility is truly unique," said Superintendent Paul Defendini. "This is something that doesn't exist anywhere in New York state, let alone a school district like Farmingdale."

The Aquatic Center will significantly impact the district's swim program and the community.

"I would imagine our the record books will be rewritten within the next few years," said Head Swim Coach Ken Ilchuk. "It allows us to compete at the highest level because we have more kids, more depth, and probably the best facilities in New York state."

Unlike the existing pool at Farmingdale High School, the Aquatic Center is detached from Howitt Middle School, allowing community members to access the pool during school hours.

Farmingdale School District’s Continuing Community Education program will offer water aerobics, snorkeling, water volleyball, scuba diving, adult learn-to-swim, Mommy-Daddy-and-Me classes, and more. A motorized lift will be available to help those who need it get into the pool. Program information, including dates, times, costs, and registration information, can be found on the district’s website. Open swim will be free for anyone living within the Farmingdale School District's boundaries. Proper student or staff ID, or proof of residency, will be required.

Aquatic Center Additional Information

The Farmingdale school district opened for the start of the 2022-2023 school year on September 6, 2022. Administrators, teachers, and staff welcomed more than 5,000 students at Farmingdale High School, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, Albany Avenue, Northside, Saltzman East Memorial, and Woodward Parkway Elementary Schools.

“Welcome back, Dalers!,” said Superintendent Paul Defendini. “I am confident that the traditions and the experiences we will share in the 2022-23 school year will be reminiscent of the past and will bring us that sense of fulfillment that we so richly deserve.”

Farmingdale High School’s new administrative team. (from L-R) Principal Jed Herman, Assistant Principal Arlene Martinez, Assistant Principal Carla Stillwell, and Assistant Principal Chris Patronaggio.

Farmingdale High School has welcomed two new assistant principals for the 2022-2023 school year. Chris Patronaggio and Carla Stillwell. Chris will be filling the position left by Jed Herman following his promotion to the position of Farmingdale High School Principal, and Carla will join in a new role created this school year.

Farmingdale’s interview committee described Chris Patronaggio as being relentless in his support for students and was found to be genuine and caring. His skills with the master schedule and servant-based leadership style will pair nicely with the current administration.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Daler family,” said Chis Patronaggio. “The support, enthusiasm, and pride make this an incredible place. I can't wait to immerse myself in all the great things Farmingdale has to offer!”

Mr. Patronaggio comes to Farmingdale, having previously served as a Math Teacher at Bellport High School and Administrative Dean at Walt Whitman High School Athletic, followed by a successful six-year tenure as an Assistant Principal at Harborfields High School. Mr. Patronaggio and his wife Erin have been married for ten years. They have two incredible sons, Brayden, 8, and Declan, 4.

Carla Stillwell was described as genuine, caring, positive, and honest. Her support for all students was noted at each phase of the interview process. Carla speaks several languages and will significantly add to our existing team.

“I admire the wonderful, committed staff that I feel lucky to call colleagues,” said Carla Stillwell. “ The commitment to provide a comprehensive educational experience to our students with the full support of the community and all stakeholders is evident in every encounter I have had. I look forward to the year, getting to know the staff and students, and fully engaging in this vibrant community.”

Mrs. Stillwell comes to Farmingdale, having previously served as a school counselor for over fifteen years, followed by most recently the Interim Director of Secondary Special Education at Oceanside Schools. Mrs. Stillwell is a devoted mother of two children, Juliana, 7, and Ryan, 5.

We wish Chris and Carla the best in their new leadership positions at Farmingdale High School!

Ninth-grade Orientation began on Monday, August 29, at Farmingdale High School. Students gathered in the auditorium, where new Principal Jed Herman greeted them. They discussed high school life, after-school clubs, and programs. They were also introduced to building administration, deans, and guidance counselors. Afterward, students were given a building tour by upperclassmen. Welcome Freshman!