Deer Park High School’s band and chorus had a busy day on Dec. 23, traveling throughout the district to perform beloved holiday tunes for appreciative audiences at the district office, high school, middle school, JFK, JQA and May Moore. The setlist included traditional favorites as “Silent Night,” “Hark the Herald Angels,” “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Date Added: 12/23/2025

Deer Park High School’s talented student musicians took center stage during two winter concerts held Dec. 17 and 18 in the school auditorium. Performed before packed houses, the concerts showcased impressive musicianship and celebrated the hard work of the school’s nine different ensembles.

The first night featured the concert orchestra, directed by Julia Ingemi; the jazz ensemble, directed by Michael Livorno; and the symphonic band, directed by Derek Schmelter. On night two, audiences heard the select choir and mixed chorus, both directed by Catherine Singer; the chamber orchestra, directed by Ingemi; and the wind ensemble, directed by Schmelter. Among the many highlights was the second night’s closer, when the chamber orchestra joined the wind ensemble for a spirited rendition of “Sleigh Ride.”

Additionally, members of the school’s guitar ensemble, led by Scott Abrams, entertained the community by performing holiday music in the lobby.

Click here to view the Winter Concerts Draw Packed Audiences at Deer Park HS slideshow.

 

 

Date Added: 12/22/2025

Two Deer Park High School varsity girls swimmers were recently recognized by Section XI for their outstanding performances during the season. Seniors and team co-captains Vanessa Cayea and Alexa Flores both earned All-League honors, highlighting their leadership and success in the pool.

Date Added: 12/20/2025

Rebecca Yackel, who teaches the mural painting elective as well as studio art and art concepts classes at the high school, was recently given the amazing opportunity to be a part of the team that painted the Manhattan street mural “As Above, So Below,” presented by Hudson Square Business Improvement District as a part of Hudson Square Canvas. This professional development opportunity will serve to enrich Yackel’s classroom practice and support meaningful mural projects that contribute positively to the Deer Park community.

“Throughout the process, I gained firsthand experience with wall preparation, scaling techniques and managing a multi-day installation in a community setting,” Yackel said. “I am excited to bring this knowledge back to my mural painting class in Deer Park. The experience has equipped me with new strategies for guiding students through the full mural-making process, from developing concepts that reflect community identity to executing work responsibly and professionally in public spaces. I plan to integrate these techniques into our curriculum, helping students understand both the artistic and community-building impact of public art.”

Two superb soccer players from Deer Park High School officially signed their National Letters of Intent on Nov. 24 during a celebratory ceremony in the school’s gymnasium, hosted by Athletic Director Dominick Fontana. Seniors Taylor Gabel (Binghamton University) and Gladys Sanchez (Adelphi University) committed to continuing their soccer careers at the collegiate level next fall, marking an exciting milestone for both athletes and the Falcons athletic program.

“I fully appreciate how hard you worked to earn this,” Fontana told the two seniors. “It has been a lifelong commitment and goal, and you saw it all the way through. As you move on to college, just keep doing what you’ve been doing. You’ll start at square one, but just stay focused and make an impression on your teammates and coaches. Keep your eyes and ears open, keep your head down, keep working hard, and you’ll be just fine.”

Date Added: 12/3/2025