The Farmingdale Hawks cheerleaders celebrated the completion of their 41 season with a tremendous dinner for 375 people last Friday at the Stuart Thomas Manor. The girls finished their season a part of the best cheerleading organization on Long Island. Not only did most of the girls teams finish first on Long Island, all of them placed in competitions and countless speakers kept commenting how each group of girls had a great time and learned the benefits of hard work and teamwork. The organization and parents are very proud of the girls.

Besides the trophies for all the girls the night had many special moments of tradition. Jennifer Crow opened the night with The National Anthem and the fun began. Amy Galina received the Rose Celentano Award for a graduating Farmingdale High School Senior and former Hawk who has excelled on and off the field and has shown great leadership during her school years. Amy made a wonderful acceptance speech and thanked everyone including the Hawks for her early lessons on hard work and teamwork. This award also carries a college scholarship. Congratulations Amy, all are very proud.

Melissa Crow won the Doris White Award for a graduating Senior Hawk who has excelled on and off the field. Nancy White was on hand to present the award named for her mom, one of the organization's original founders. Melissa was a most deserving candidate and the Hawks know her high school years will be even more successful. Congratulations again to Melissa and her parents Frank and Stacey Crow.

For the first time the Hawks also started a volunteer of the year award just for the cheerleading dinner.

A most deserving Charlene Sutherland won the initial award. Charlene is responsible for taking a very good Hawk program years ago and making it second to none on Long Island. Thank you Charlene along with Barbara Neilsen, Ann Tortoso and all the coaches and team moms who are superb.

Special thanks go to local dignitaries John Venditto, Sal Pontillo and Joe Trudden for their time and citations for the girls. The Hawks also thank the NY Dragons for sending two cheerleaders. The Senior girls will cheer at the Dragon game on Saturday, Feb. 22 as part of Hawk Family night. See Barbara Brescia for tickets

Thank you to Tom and Stu from the Manor for their great food and hospitality and Eddie from All Island for the great DJ job.

Due to overwhelming demand the Hawks have added registration dates on Feb. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. and March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Allen Park. Registration is still $85 and free T- shirts for the first 50 registrants. Check the Hawks' website for any other information WWW.FarmingdaleHawks.org.