Nearly 300 ‘Dalers embarked on the journey back to Pine Forest from Sept. 12-15 for band camp, one year after the tragic bus accident took the lives of band leader Gina Pellettiere and chaperone Beatrice Ferrari.
Last year a charter bus carrying 40 members of the Farmingdale High School marching band overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County while en route to band camp. In addition to the loss of Pellettiere and Ferrari, many students sustained injuries, some hospitalized in critical condition.
After much consideration the school decided to return to Pine Forest for band camp again this year.
On the first night of camp, band directors David Abrams and Matthew DeMasi led a tree dedication ceremony to honor the memory of Pellettiere and Ferrari. Students and staff shared stories about the two women and the legacy they left behind.
“This year’s time at Pine Forest was one of the most spirited and uplifting band camp experiences in history,” said Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini.
“This weekend our marching band rewrote some important core memories. I speak for the entire staff and chaperone team when I say these brave warrior Dalers have once again demonstrated that there is nothing they cannot conquer together,” he said.
The Farmingdale High School Marching Band is comprised of student musicians, Dalerettes, and the Daler Guard. Directors and coaches use Band Camp to cram precision training into a three-day session. It has colloquially been called the “secret ingredient” to building camaraderie and school spirit by staff of the district.
The Farmingdale High School Marching Band will take the field alongside the Varsity and JV Cheerleading squads during Farmingdale’s Homecoming Varsity Football game against Syosset on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, the district wants to remind community members about the upcoming Street Renaming Ceremony. The Farmingdale School District, in collaboration with the Town of Oyster Bay, will hold a special street renaming ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in honor of Pellettiere and Ferrari.
In the event of inclement weather, a rain date of Oct. 16 has been scheduled.
For more information about the Farmingdale Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at https://www.farmingdaleschools.org or their Facebook page @FarmingdaleSchoolDistrict.
