Three more distinguished Dalers now grace the walls of Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame. The newly inducted alumni are Paul Defendini (Class of 1997), Carol Kellermann (Class of 1969) and Steven Tiscione (Class of 1995). They were inducted during an early evening ceremony and reception at the high school on Monday, April 29.
The Farmingdale Observer reached out to the inductees to get to know them on a more personal level. At the time of publication, the Observer was unable to get in touch with Tiscione.
Paul Defendini
Introduce yourself.
I have worked my entire professional career in the Farmingdale School District. I began 22 years ago as a summer cleaner at one of our elementary schools. After graduating from college, I taught English Language Arts for four years and then became the dean of students. In 2007, I was appointed to the position of school business administrator. After serving two years in that position, I was appointed as the assistant superintendent for business, a position that I held for 10 years. This past July, I was appointed by the Farmingdale Board of Education as the superintendent of schools.
How did attending Farmingdale High School shape you to be the person you are today?
The Farmingdale School District is a wonderfully diverse community where students are exposed to varied experiences that provide a better perspective for their future. The district offers a wide variety of programs for students to participate in. I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of these opportunities, having been involved in sports, musical groups and extracurricular activities.
What is your fondest memory of your time at high school?
Senior Homecoming. During my senior year, I met my wife Sharlene, who was my first real girlfriend and now my wife of 15 years. She is my rock and an amazing woman. It was a very special night, and one that I get to remember every day of my life.
What is your best advice for current Farmingdale High School students?
Find something that you care about deeply and commit the time and effort that is needed to be the best you can possibly be. It doesn’t matter too much in high school what that “thing” is, but only that you have a “thing.” I strongly recommend that whatever future endeavor you choose, it should be centered on helping others. That sense of humanity is what the world is all about.
From when you were growing up until now, what kind of change have you seen in Farmingdale?
Farmingdale is steeped in tradition, which I love and respect. The value systems that were established have allowed us a foundation from which to build. I live just outside our downtown area, and I couldn’t be prouder of how vibrant and lively Farmingdale has become. The addition of the new Athletic Complex and Aquatic Center will work hand in hand to communicate how wonderful Farmingdale is and how many amazing opportunities are available for Farmingdale residents.
How much pride do you have in being able to say that you are a Daler and a graduate of the Farmingdale public school system?
As a graduate of Farmingdale High School and having two children in the district, my greatest excitement is in being able to serve a town that has and continues to be a central part of my life. Farmingdale is a wonderful place to raise a family. I’m a Daler through and through and I love it. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I am doing, I never lose a moment to share my pride for this amazing town.
What kind of an honor is it for you to be inducted into Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame? What does it mean to you?
Several weeks ago, while visiting the high school, I was able to peruse the Wall of a Fame and read about all of the inductees. I am humbled to even be considered for this recognition. There are so many wonderful people who have done great things who have already been recognized. Being a Farmingdale graduate and continuing to live my life in service to this community makes this nomination very special to me. I am grateful and blessed to have this opportunity bestowed on me.
Carol Kellerman
Introduce yourself.
I grew up in Farmingdale, went to elementary, middle and high school there and then left to go to college. My parents moved into New York City while I was in law school, so after that, I never lived there again and rarely have gone back. But I have kept in touch with a few close friends from my high school years.
I would describe myself as a life-long public servant dedicated to helping make New York State and City better places to live and work. I just retired after 10-plus years running the Citizens Budget Commission, a nonprofit fiscal watchdog, and got to do lots of interesting and, I hope, worthwhile jobs running other nonprofits, working in city government and for my friend from college and law school, our great senator, Chuck Schumer. I have been married to 40 years to a fantastic guy, Mark O’Donoghue, from another suburb of New York City, in New Jersey. We have a grown daughter, Anna, a theater artist.
How did attending Farmingdale High School shape you to be the person you are today?
Farmingdale High School (FHS) had a significant impact on me. I had fantastic teachers like Ivan Krakowsky, Messers, Cates and Clemente and Kahn. They encouraged me to think of myself as intelligent and a good writer and thinker.
I don’t think I would have gotten into Harvard if I hadn’t gone to FHS. At the time, the Ivy League schools were being criticized for being enclaves of wealthy kids from prep schools (not much changes, right?) and I think they jumped at the chance to admit a girl from a middle-class family from a public school in a place like Farmingdale.
Also, the high school experience shaped my career in that, while in politics and government have always been my passion, I would never run for office myself. I have never gotten over the traumatic experience of losing the election for Student Council President to Matt Kramer in my senior year—twice (there was a do-over because of some confusion about the ballot the first time around).
What is your fondest memory of your time at the high school?
Instead of being Student Council President, I was the director of the Senior Talent Show. At that time, this was an annual tradition. The Class of ’69 talent show was an extravaganza. We had a number of talented musicians in the class and they played as an ensemble. Hair the musical had just opened and was a sensation on Broadway and we sang/danced several numbers from the score. All in all, a fun, amazing production.
What is your best advice for current Farmingdale High School students?
I would give the same advice as I would give to any high school students these days: Be open to new experiences and ideas. Don’t get stuck in group-think or be afraid to think/speak differently than what seems to be popular. Read books. Don’t rely on social media as your sole form of communication. Don’t decide what you want to do with your life and career until you have had a few more years of travel/college/work experiences after graduation.
From when you were growing up until now, what kind of change have you seen in Farmingdale?
I haven’t been to Farmingdale for very long or often in the last 50 years, but it certainly could not have been described as “up and coming” when I lived there, so this is a big change. It very much functioned as a working-class family community of commuters and people who worked at Grumman Aircraft and related service companies.
How much pride do you have in being able to say that you are a Daler and a graduate of the Farmingdale public school system?
I am very proud of my background and that I went to such a large public high school where I got a great education, made lasting friendships and had a great platform from which to go out into the world.
What kind of an honor is it for you to be inducted into Farmingdale High School’s Wall of Fame? What does it mean to you?
It is a great honor to receive this recognition. I am pleased, grateful and surprised that FHS is paying attention to me after all these years.
The Wall of Fame honor is bestowed upon graduates of FHS who have achieved a high level of distinction in their profession and now serve as role models for the school community.
Additional reporting provided by Cynthia Younker.
