Get to Know Adelphi’s February 2020 Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s January 2020 Students of the Month: Martin (Lower School), Michael (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School), Matthew (Student-Artist) and Jonathan (Scholar-Athlete).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program had to be temporarily suspended when Adelphi transitioned to its distance learning program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The February honorees, who would have typically been recognized at a special assembly inside the John Lockwood Auditorium Theatre in early March, were instead honored at the Academy’s Annual Student Awards Banquet, held virtually for students and families on June 24th, 2020. Martin (Lower School), Michael (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School), Matthew (Student-Artist) and Jonathan (Scholar-Athlete) were each recognized in front of the entire Adelphi community online and will receive official certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos. They recently sat down with the Panther Press Room for an exclusive digital interview, during which they shared some details about themselves and their experiences at Adelphi.
Lower School Student of the Month Martin was glad to receive this prestigious honor. “It feels great!” he smiled. “My parents are proud of me and they told me to keep doing a great job in school.” Martin’s favorite subject is science because he enjoys conducting experiments. He hopes to work with computers when he grows up. He does not take his “Of the Month” honor lightly. “To be Student of the Month means that you have done a great job in class, completing all assignments perfectly, listening to your teacher and being nice to your friends,” he said. His advice to students who aspire to earn similar honors is poignant. “Listen to your teacher, be nice, do what the teacher says and do all your homework,” he advised.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Kohler said, “Martin works very hard in all of his studies. He is always eager to participate in individual and group activities. Martin loves to read aloud in the classroom and help his classmates who have trouble. All of his assignments are done efficiently and in a timely manner. He is an excellent role model to his peers, very respectful and admired by all. I am very proud of Martin’s overall progression. Keep up the great work!”
Middle School Student of the Month Michael hopes to become a professional tennis player when he grows up. It’s a dream that is well on its way to becoming a reality. “I already do play professionally,” he said. In addition to his athletic prowess, Michael recently showcased his theatrical abilities when he shined on stage as part of The Adelphian Masquers’ 5 Year Anniversary Show! His favorite subject is History because “it’s really fun to learn about the past with my classmates.” His favorite part of being a student at Adelphi is interacting with the teachers and how he made a lot of friends during his first year. Michael has some sage advice for his fellow Adelphians. “If you want to become Student of the Month, you have to be a good student with passing grades, submit all your homework and also be active in the school.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Michael is a very bright student who enjoys sharing his ideas in class. He continues to challenge himself in Math and Science. Michael dedicated his time to being involved in the Theater Arts Program. He did a great job with the Annual Happy Holiday Brunch and the 5 Year Anniversary Show!”
Upper School Student of the Month Ariel said he knows what it takes to become a recipient of this honor. “It requires academic success, outstanding leadership and guiding others,” he said. Ariel demonstrated strong leadership when he volunteered to control a giant, life-sized Audrey II puppet as part of The Adelphian Masquers’ 5 Year Anniversary Show! “It was a pretty quick decision to do it. It was something I had never done, but I was confident,” he said. Ariel is looking forward to pursuing a career as a plastic surgeon and will begin his studies at Pace University in the fall. The transition to distance learning “was an adjustment, but you get used to it,” he said. “I enjoyed working with new programs like Quizziz and Nearpod.” As a member of Adelphi’s Class of 2020, Ariel has learned some valuable advice that he would like to pass on to younger Adelphians. “Do your work on time. High school is important,” he said. “Don’t ever get down about your grades. Strive to be the best you can be.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wynne said, “Ariel showed tremendous leadership by serving as puppeteer for the 5 Year Anniversary Show! He took his role very seriously and worked to ensure that the show went off without a hitch. I’m very proud of him for taking an active role in such an important Adelphi event.”
Student-Artist of the Month Matthew was happy to be recognized at the Awards Banquet. “It feels nice. It’s a big accomplishment,” he said. Matthew has created a number of interesting art pieces this year, including one featuring melted crayons and another in which he spraypainted a shoebox. “I also recreated a cake, donut and cupcake,” he said. Matthew is a talented performing artists as well, having recently starred as Orin the Dentist and the Genie in The Adelphian Masquers’ 5 Year Anniversary Show! Matthew appreciates being part of the Adelphi family. “I love being part of a whole community,” he said. “I know everyone. I can help everyone and they can help me.”
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara said, “Matthew was a shining star in our winter production. I am lucky to have the experience to see how far Matthew has grown and progressed in Adelphi’s Theater Arts Program as a singer and actor. He brought enthusiasm to the stage playing each of his characters: Rocky, Sonny, Orin the Dentist and the Genie. As a viewer, you cannot help but smile when Matthew is performing!”
Student-Athlete of the Month Jonathan shined each time he set foot inside Adelphi Academy’s Edwin N. Beery Gymnasium. “I was always ready to play and I always utilized the open gym sessions,” he said. He played soccer and basketball regularly during those sessions, serving mostly as a shooting guard in basketball scrimmages. “I like shooting from far away and dribbling,” he said. Jonathan is also a fan of professional hockey and has seen his favorite team, the Islanders, in action. He sees his athletic activities as a means to develop leadership skills. “One person is usually in charge of the other players. I’m sort of a natural leader. Even in group work, I always take the lead,” he said. Jonathan is interested in pursuing a career in computer programming.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Alvarracin said, “Jonathan is a dedicated student athlete who shows teamwork and agility in all sports. I am very proud of Jonathan for receiving this award.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding “Students of the Month” for February: Martin, Michael, Ariel, Matthew and Jonathan!
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