Get to Know Adelphi’s December 2020 Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s December 2020 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Zayn (Lower School), Jason (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School), Yura (Scholar-Athlete) and Tiffany (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE — Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in January as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of December. Zayn (Lower School), Jason (Middle School), Ariel (Upper School), Yura (Scholar-Athlete) and Tiffany (Student-Artist) each received official certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos, who congratulated each recipient during a special Zoom call. These exceptional Adelphians 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 Zayn was excited to have been named a Student of the Month like his big brother Laith, who earned the accolade for the month of September. “It feels good,” he said. “I like coming to school with Laith. He helps me.” Zayn is unsure what he want to be when he grows up, but he enjoys pursuing his various academic interests at Adelphi. One area in particular keeps him engaged and excited. “I like art!” he smiled. In his free time, Zayn likes to unwind and be creative through playtime. “I like to play with my toys. I have a lot,” he said.
Lower School faculty member Ms. N. Baalbaki said, “Zayn is a wonderful addition to Adelphi. He is always energetic and ready to learn. Zayn is a great friend to all his classmates. He has made excellent progress throughout the term and I am very proud of his hard work!”
Middle School Student of the Month Jason was proud to learn that he had been selected as a Student of the Month. “It feels really good,” he said. Jason said he always tries his best to demonstrate leadership qualities at Adelphi. “I try to set a good example for others by following directions and obeying all the rules,” he said. When he gets older, he hopes to pursue a career in medicine. “I want to be some kind of doctor,” he said. “Maybe a neurosurgeon. I like helping people.” Jason enjoys studying anatomy and is proud to have learned to save money through his financial literacy class. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and even played on a travel team a few years ago as a striker. Jason has some excellent advice for his fellow Adelphians who are seeking “Of the Month” honors. “Be a good influence and help your classmates whenever you can,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. Rehberg said, “Jason always brings a positive and cheery mood wherever he goes. He makes his fellow classmates feel included and participates in all of his classes. Keep up the good work, Jason!”
Upper School Student of the Month Ariel said he is excited to pursue a degree in physical therapy in college. The Class of 2021 member added that being recognized as a Student of the Month has helped him apply to college programs with confidence. “It makes me more confident going to college, knowing that I can keep up my grades and be consistent,” he said. Though he is eager to begin a new chapter in college, Ariel said he will always look back fondly at his time at Adelphi. “I will miss my friends, and I will miss the newspaper for sure,” he said. The avid sports fan has enjoyed taking on a leadership role and serving as Sports Editor of Adelphi’s student newspaper The Adelphi Oracle. “I learned a lot through Journalism Club. It’s fun. I definitely want to join the newspaper in college,” he said. Ariel has some important advice for younger Adelphians who wish to succeed. “Try to be optimistic. You can’t really succeed if you don’t have the right attitude,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. DeCrescenzo said, “Ariel is always eager to learn and participates whenever possible. His analytical way of thinking is always appreciated and he is always showing progress. I am very proud of Ariel for being named a Student of the Month!”
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Yura is an active member of Adelphi Academy’s Boxing & Fitness Club who understands the importance of staying in shape. “Health is wealth,” he reasoned. He enjoys learning new techniques during club sessions and looks forward to improving over time. At home, he is committed to his very own exercise regimen focusing on cardio and stamina building. “I have a routine,” he explained. “I do 50 pullups, 50 pushups and 50 situps every day.” He said exercise has made a tangible impact on his overall health and well-being. “I definitely feel more refreshed and motivated, which carries into my schoolwork,” he said. Yura uses his improved stamina to stay heavily involved in school activities. He is a member of Adelphi’s Student Advisory Board and serves as co-moderator of Trivia Society after school. He is also a key member of the staff of The Adelphi Oracle and attends weekly Journalism Club meetings to hone his skills. “My goal is always to write something interesting for people to read,” he said. “I’m becoming more comfortable with things like photography and layout as well.” Yura never shies away from a challenge and advises his fellow students to take advantage of every opportunity placed before them at Adelphi. “Never be scared to start something new and never be afraid to make mistakes. You will learn from them,” he said.
House Morrill House Master Ms. Alvarracin said, “Yura is a dedicated student to all aspects of physical education. He shows sportsmanship and agility through all sports. I am very proud of Yura for receiving this Student-Athlete of the Month award.”
Student-Artist of the Month Tiffany enjoys bringing her artistic visions to life across a number of mediums. She first got into art through sketching, then became adept at painting. “I like to paint nature scenes with lots of trees,” she smiled. One of her favorite projects involved creating artwork related to Adelphi’s annual school theme, #GiveALittleBit. “I drew people sharing positive thoughts and encouragement with each other,” she said. Another one of her favorites involved melting crayons on a canvas to create a colorful scene. Tiffany loves animals and is the proud owner of three dogs. She hopes to become a veterinarian when she gets older. She is proud to be recognized for her work at Adelphi and has some words of wisdom for aspiring artists everywhere. “When it comes to art, don’t be afraid to experiment!” she smiled.
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara said, “Tiffany is an artist who is patient and shows an ample amount of effort in her work. Her dedication is always remarkable. Tiffany is always consistent and she is always interested in learning about new artists as well as how to use new materials. Way to go, Tiffany!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding “Students of the Month” for December: Zayn, Jason, Ariel, Yura and Tiffany!
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 three 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