FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | Student-athletes from Farmingdale State College embarked on the third academic year of a collaboration with visiting Farmingdale School District elementary schools recently, interacting with students in grades K-through-5 at Northside Elementary School and, in an inaugural visit on October 30, Woodward Parkway Elementary School.

FSC student-athletes began to make periodic visits to Northside Elementary School, located one mile from the college's athletic complex, in April 2024. Since then, the partnership has continued into its most recent visit, when 11 student-athletes spent time with the elementary students on October 3 (view the photo gallery here). The collaboration with the school district expanded on Thursday (October 30), when six Rams student-athletes made the department's initial visit to Woodward Parkway.

"The elementary students were absolutely thrilled with these visits at both schools," said Will Ahrens, an instructional associate who works at both Woodward Parkway and Northside, and played a large role in the collaboration. "They asked fantastic questions, which allowed the student-athletes to really drive home the crucial correlation between academics and athletics."

"To see our continued partnership with Northside, in addition to seeing all the smiles from elementary and college students (Thursday) at Woodward Parkway, really showcases the great pride that our sense of community brings," added Tom Emberley, director of athletic communications and advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Farmingdale State. 

Farmingdale State student-athletes that visited Northside included:

• Gabriel Aguilar, men's cross country and track and field
• Conor Griffin, men's basketball
• Raymond Howard, golf
• Julia Koprowski, women's basketball
• Sean Lawson, men's lacrosse
• Carly Livingston, women's lacrosse
• Ifeoluwa Longe, women's cross country and track and field
• Connor Murtha, men's lacrosse
• Aaron Rivera, men's cross country and track and field
• Samantha Stolfi, softball and women's tennis
• Jordan Tucker, men's basketball

Farmingdale State student-athletes that visited Woodward Parkway included: 

• Alexandra Coloma, women's soccer
• Raymond Howard, golf
• Mike Kocovic, baseball
• Carly Livingston, women's lacrosse
• Michael Notias, men's basketball
• Jake Pepitone, men's tennis

What the student-athletes are saying about their recent elementary school visits

"I loved how curious the kids were, and had so much fun answering all of their questions. It was nice to share how being a student-athlete helps with teamwork, confidence and staying motivated – things that can help them, too."

- Carly Livingston, women's lacrosse (Farmingdale High School alumna and former Northside Elementary School student)

"It was awesome to interact with the students. Out of anything that stuck with them, I hope it was that they have the opportunity to participate in sports as long as possible."

- Mike Kocovic, baseball

"I really enjoyed seeing how engaged and excited the students were. All of the students seemed very interested in our conversation, and it felt great to see the impact that my time with them had."

- Alexandra Coloma, women's soccer

"I loved interacting with the students and teachers during my visit. I have great memories from elementary school of older kids coming into my classrooms and interacting with me, and am hopeful some of those students will have similar memories of our visits."

- Sean Lawson, men's lacrosse