Services were held Monday, Dec. 7, for three Massapequa teenagers killed in a car accident on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Melville. Two others who were seriously injured in the crash were released from the hospital over the last week.

Meanwhile, according to school administrators, classmates of the five students, as well as other students at Massapequa High School and Berner Junior High School continue the struggle to come to terms with the tragedy.

Hundreds of students turned out for the funerals and wakes of students, Frank Chiofolo III, the 18-year-old driver of the Jeep that collided with a tractor-trailer and two passengers, Curtis Dillon, 17, and Ashley Passaro, 13. They were all pronounced dead on the scene of a collision which occurred at around 9:25 p.m on Dec. 2., according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Michael Zachman, 19, was airlifted to the University Medical Center at Stony Brook and Kristen DiFilipo, 13, was airlifted to the Nassau County Medical Center. They were listed in critical condition upon arrival, but have since been released.

"The initial reaction from the students was shock and panic, but now that has subsided and there's just a deep feeling of sadness over the loss," said Christopher Griffin, a guidance counselor at Berner.

Griffin, who was Ashley Passaro's guidance counselor, described her as "a good kid, the kind you like talking to." He said Ashley, who would have turned 14 last weekend, was also working hard to be a good student. She played field hockey, basketball and was interested in cheerleading.

Ashley's friends at Berner are devastated by her death, said Griffin. They told him that she was the type of person you could turn to. Knowing that she loved music, her friends have been calling Z100 radio station to request her favorite songs.

Frank Chiofolo was described as respectful and polite by his Massapequa HS guidance counselor, Tracy Munson. She said his friends had a high opinion of him, as well.

"He was very compassionate and someone on whom his friends could always rely. Someone, as they say, who would give the shirt off his back. Someone they definitely felt they could go to and that he would drop everything for his friends and the people he cared about," said Munson.

According to Bev Taylor, also a guidance counselor at Massapequa High, over 300 students held a vigil for Curtis Dillon at his preferred handball courts. Taylor said he was known by his peers as an amazing handball player, so they figured the courts would be a perfect place to hold the vigil. And this, she said, shows how loved he was by his peers.

"He was just such a kind, considerate, warm, affable kid. Everyone loved him because he was just such a personality," said Taylor.

Principals in both schools said the guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, teachers and administrators were and continue to be available to provide support for the students.

Massapequa High School Principal James Maloney said his staff were quick to respond to students' need for counseling and support.

"I can't say enough for my staff because they really responded admirably. People really put themselves out to help these children," said Robert Hackett, Berner JHS, principal. He added that although the students were devastated by the news, he was very proud of how they handled it.

Griffin also said he was impressed by how the staff dealt with the students, especially staff members who had their own feelings of grief and shock with which to cope.