The Rocky Point High School Marching Band, led by Marching Band Director Amy Schecher and Assistant Marching Band Director Vincent Ragona, performed in the 2025 Newsday Marching Band Festival at Mitchel Field in Uniondale on October 22, 2025. The Marching Band students performed a fun and challenging production titled “Eagle Beats: A Bieber Experience.” This year marked the 61st anniversary of this annual event. In 1963, the Newsday Marching Band Festival began with a one-day performance featuring 13 bands. This annual event has now expanded to cover three thrilling evenings of music and displays bands from across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Rocky Point senior Sydney Graf was named a nominee for the 2025 Gina Pellettiere Award of Recognition. Gina Pellettiere, a music educator from Farmingdale High School, was a staple at this festival for many years, leading her musicians with unwavering passion while also serving on the Newsday Marching Band Festival Advisory Committee. Ms. Pellettiere symbolized a commitment to students and music. Her legacy of mentorship and musical excellence will forever be recognized with this special award. Congratulations Sydney! A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “The students performed wonderfully in their Marching Band production. We are very proud of the Rocky Point Marching Band students for doing such a great job! Thank you to the families of these very accomplished students for attending this special event and for the constant encouragement they provide for their children’s involvement in the performing arts. We are extremely appreciative that the Rocky Point School District Administration and Board of Education support these forms of experiences for the students and the music department.”