Get to Know Adelphi’s May 2020 Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s May 2020 Students of the Month: Vanessa (Lower School), Kenn (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School) and Grace (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program concluded with the announcement of the May honorees at the Academy’s Annual Student Awards Banquet, held virtually for students and families on June 24th, 2020. Vanessa (Lower School), Kenn (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School) and Grace (Student-Artist) 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 Vanessa was very excited to learn that she had been selected for this honor. “I feel happy to be Student of the Month,” she said. “My family is very proud of me!” Vanessa, who is looking forward to playing with her friends and going to the beach this summer, dreams of becoming a professional chef one day. “I like to cook!” she exclaimed. She also has some advice for her fellow Adelphians who aspire to attain “Of the Month” honors. “They have to do all the homework,” she said.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Baalbaki said, “Vanessa is an excellent student. She is always excited and ready to learn. She is a wonderful friend to all her classmates and works very well with others. Vanessa has continued to show a great deal of effort with her assignments and projects throughout our distance learning program. I am so proud of her hard work!”
Middle School Student of the Month Kenn said that his family was very proud of him for receiving this honor and that he recognizes what it takes to be selected for such a prestigious award. “You need to behave, follow the rules, turn in homework and projects on time and participate,” he explained. Kenn, who starred in The Adelphian Masquers’ 5 Year Anniversary Show in March, is extremely ambitious and is currently interested in pursuing several careers when he gets older — scientist, lawyer, international businessman, video game designer, toy designer or coder. He enjoys his time at Adelphi and said his favorite subject is English because “we learn more words to expand out minds.” When asked about his favorite part of being an Adelphian, he replied, “The wonderful, dedicated and extraordinary teachers who teach us to be who we are today. Adelphi is a fantastic school to study in and to be a part of!” Kenn has adjusted very well to distance learning and enjoyed participating in the many home-based projects that were assigned during the past few months. His favorite was an art project based on the work of Louise Nevelson that involved creating sculptures out of household items. “It is amazing that with anything you find you can make art,” he said. He advises his fellow Adelphians “to believe in themselves and to remember that they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Kenn is an energetic student who participates in class and in school events. He continues to dedicate his time to being involved in the Theater Arts Program. Kenn did a fantastic job with his role as Simba in the 5 Year Anniversary Show!”
Upper School Student of the Month Ariel is interested in sports and is currently considering a career in sports medicine like his mother. “I’m interested in physical therapy,” he said. “My mom does it.” A lifelong fan of the New York Knicks, Ariel has enjoyed writing about his favorite team as a member of the staff of The Adelphi Oracle. His outstanding efforts earned him induction into the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists at Adelphi’s recent Annual Student Awards Banquet. “I didn’t realize I enjoyed writing so much until I joined, so I’d like to say thanks for helping me get there,” he said. Ariel said he is looking forward to seeing his friends and having a normal schedule once the pandemic is over, but he offered some inspiring words to his fellow Adelphians in the meantime. “We can handle anything as long as we stay together,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. DeCrescenzo said, “Ariel has shown the ability to work academically with an insight on critical analysis that has affected several classmates in a positive way. Great work!”
Student-Artist of the Month Grace is always creating, whether she is in school or at home. She enjoys painting in vibrant colors as well as creating black-and-white sketches. She created one of her favorite works with colored pencils. “I drew a donut with colorful frosting,” she recalled. In her artistic studies, Grace particularly enjoys the work of Vincent Van Goh and other impressionist painters. She is also interested in abstract art. “I like to try and copy the style,” she said. Recently, the adventurous artist has been developing other skills to stay busy during lockdown. “I’m learning how to skateboard and hoverboard,” she smiled. At Adelphi, Grace enjoys art class “because it allows you to be creative during the school day.” She acknowledges that art can be challenging, but said she draws inspiration from her mother to keep going. She urges her fellow Adelphians not to give up. “If you really love something, keep going until you become great at it. Have faith in yourself and believe that you can do it!” she said.
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara said, “Grace is a brilliant abstract artist and reminds me of me when I was an artist at her age. She is not afraid to experiment and she has pride in her artwork. Throughout our distance learning experience, Grace has created multiple paintings just because she has a love for art. She is a dedicated artist who finds happiness when she is creating. Famous painter and abstract artist Jackson Pollock once said, ‘I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own.’ Grace never has any fear.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding “Students of the Month” for May: Vanessa, Kenn, Ariel and Grace!
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.
* * *
Photos courtesy of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn