Get to Know October’s Students of the Month!
October’s Students of the Month were joined by their families for a very special assembly in their honor.
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious Student of the Month program continued with a special assembly inside the John Lockwood Auditorium Theatre in early November to recognize five outstanding students who demonstrated extraordinary effort during the month of October. Martin (Lower School), John (Middle School), Arber (Upper School), Mary (Student-Artist) and Rishi (Scholar-Athlete) were each recognized in front of the entire Adelphi community and received official certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos. They recently sat down with the Panther Press Room for an exclusive interview, during which they shared some details about themselves and their experiences at Adelphi.
Lower School Student of the Month Martin loves cars and wants to become a race car driver when he grows up. “I want to go 50,000 miles per hour!” he smiled. He would like his car to be blue and to have a turbo engine, naturally. His favorite part about race car driving? “I like the speed!” he said with a chuckle. At Adelphi, Martin enjoys learning new things and serving as an example to his sisters. He’s developed into quite a leader within his family. “I always help my sisters,” he said proudly.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Churchill said Martin showed strong effort for the month of October. “Martin is an excellent student who always participates in the lesson and works well with his classmates,” she said.
Middle School Student of the Month John wants to be a businessman when he gets older and hopes to pursue a career in banking like his father. He enjoys both math and science, which will come in handy in his chosen career. “You need to use math in business, so that’s good,” he said. John appreciates the small class size at Adelphi and said he is always doing his best to stand out. “Work as hard as you can and you will be noticed,” he said. John enjoys attending the many school trips offered at Adelphi add counts the annual visit to Fright Fest among his favorites. “The bus rides are fun. Everyone gets to sit and talk and get to know each other,” he said. John enjoys his time at Adelphi and looks forward to what lies ahead in the coming months. “I’m proud to be an Adelphian because here at Adelphi I feel equal with all my peers and I feel like I am doing the best I can,” he said.
His homeroom teacher Ms. Alvarracin said, “John always works hard and puts in maximum effort. He goes out of his way to be helpful to his classmates as well.”
Upper School Student of the Month Arber is facing a big decision in the coming months: where to attend college in the fall. A member of Adelphi’s Class of 2019, Arber is getting ready to graduate after being enrolled at the Academy since Pre-K. “It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed spending time with my classmates and friends throughout the years,” he said. Currently he is looking at Hunter College, Fordham University and New York University; he hopes to pursue a career in either law or medicine. He will miss Adelphi in large part because of its unique approach to learning. “In most schools, you’re not able to get to know the student body as well as here. I’ve enjoyed becoming a mentor to the younger kids,” he explained. Speaking of being a mentor, Arber has some sage advice for anyone wishing to be named “Student of the Month.” “Always focus on your schoolwork and always participate in class and activities,” he said.
Senior class homeroom teacher Ms. Foronda said, “Arber is without question a leader at Adelphi. Students of all ages look up to him and he is always willing to advise or assist when called upon.”
Congratulations to Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s October Students of the Month!
Student-Artist of the Month Mary was extremely happy to have been selected for this prestigious honor. “I love art!” she exclaimed. When she’s not drawing or painting, she enjoys spending time at home playing with her grandmother and her little kitten. “His name is Bone…he’s white!” she smiled. It’s because of her love for her kitten that Mary wants to grow up to become a veterinarian. “I want to make cats feel better,” she said.
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara said, “Mary is very creative in her artwork and really enjoys expressing herself through various artistic mediums.”
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Rishi is not only new to Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, he’s new to America! Born and raised in Dubai, Rishi came to America for a better education and has not been disappointed. “At first I thought it would take some time, but I adjusted instantly and was comfortable with the teachers and students,” he said. “I was happy with how they took me in. Now I feel like part of the Adelphi family.” He said he appreciates America’s democracy and how this country provides so many opportunities for students to be successful and pursue their dreams. Rishi is an accomplished athlete, having played competitive soccer for several years in Dubai. He shined as a striker and always seeks to improve his skills. “I always keep an open mind on the field and try to include everyone in the game,” he said. “It’s important to try and help people improve their game.” Rishi celebrated a milestone at Adelphi recently when he saw his very first snowfall! “It doesn’t snow in Dubai,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how my body responds to snow in the winter.” He looks forward to studying biochemistry and pursuing a career in medicine.
House Lockwood House Master Ms. Giacchino noticed Rishi’s smooth transition to Adelphian life. “Rishi is already an integral part of the Adelphi family and a key member of House Lockwood. His athletic background makes him a strong leader and someone on whom his housemates know they can rely.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for October: Martin, John, Arber, Mary and Rishi!
As the oldest private, independent, continuing, coeducational, college-preparatory day school in the borough and one of the oldest in the nation, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, “the little school of big dreams” has been “effectively preparing young people for college, career, and life, one day at a time” for over 150 years. Founded in 1863 and located in the historic Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, Adelphi enrolls students from two years of age through twelfth grade. A strong emphasis is placed on small class size, individualized attention, self-expression, critical thinking and challenging hands-on learning through Adelphi’s founding philosophy and dedication to the education of the “total child.” Adelphi students excel within a small, intimate, safe, caring, nurturing, and secure environment through Adelphi’s core values and founding principles of pride, tradition, spirit, and excellence. The student-teacher ratio is 8 to 1 and Adelphi is a New York State Regents Exempt Program with a 100% college application, acceptance and attendance rate. A founding member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, Adelphi receives its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and has been a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1928. Ms. Iphigenia Romanos serves as Head of School.
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Photos courtesy of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn