'Time Of Healing': Farmingdale HS Students Return Safely From Band Camp Year After Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — The Farmingdale High School Marching Band returned safely from band camp — their first voyage to Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, since the fatal crash that killed the school's band director and a longtime chaperone — Superintendent Paul Defendini told the community in a message on Sunday.

On Sept. 21, 2023, a bus carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine, killing the school’s band director, Gina Pellettiere, 43, and retired teacher, Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, 77. The crash injured dozens of students.

"It is hard to imagine that the it has been a year since the bus accident," Defendini told the community in a letter obtained by Patch. "Amidst the challenges and obstacles, we made a courageous decision to travel back to Pine Forest Camp. Our kids, as they so often do, led the way. We used our students voices as our guide post and they couldn’t have been more right."

Band directors led a small ceremony and tree dedication in memory of Pellettiere and Ferrari the night the band arrived to camp, Defendini said.

Teachers David Abrams and Matthew DeMasi, and Ferrari's daughter, Angela, shared funny stories about Pellettiere and Ferrari with their peers and students.

"They helped to illustrate the legacy they left behind," Defendini said. "Without saying it, what they really did that night was give everyone in attendance permission to move on."

The result was the students taking that message and turning their time at Pine Forest into one of "the most spirited and uplifting band camp experiences in history," Defendini said.

"It was a time of healing," he wrote. "It was a time to come together. For me and for others at the camp, Karaoke Night was the turning point this weekend. It is an event that will never be forgotten. Our kids sang with joy. They sang with passion and enthusiasm. It wouldn’t surprise me if, on that special night, you heard their voices echoing through the streets of Farmingdale. That night, they stood together and turned a page, saying in one collective voice, we are Daler Strong, we will rise, and we will stand as one."

The school district shared the video.

Video courtesy of Farmingdale School District

"Our marching band rewrote some important core memories this weekend," Defendini said. "Memories that will live with them forever. I know that I speak for the entire staff and chaperone team when I say bravo to these brave warrior Dalers. They have proven, yet again, that there is nothing they cannot overcome together. Have a great night, Farmingdale, and enjoy the video."

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