Get to Know Adelphi’s October 2021 Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s October 2021 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): David (Lower School), Tiffany (Middle School), Musabikha (Upper School), Michael (Scholar-Athlete) and Karen (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in early November as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of October. David (Lower School), Tiffany (Middle School), Musabikha (Upper School), Michael (Scholar-Athlete) and Karen (Student-Artist) received their official pins, congratulatory letters and certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos during a very special assembly inside the John Lockwood Auditorium Theatre. 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 David is fascinated by the solar system and wants to explore its boundaries when he gets older. “I want to discover other planets we can all live on,” he said. “I’m going to work for NASA!” The imaginative Lower Schooler can already envision his future discovery. “I think there’s definitely more planets out there,” he explained. “There’s probably one filled with Moa birds. When I discover it, I’m going to call it Moa 64, and we can all live there because the birds are friendly.” The now extinct Moa was a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Still, its extinction on earth does not mean the Moa is not thriving in another galaxy, according to David. “Anything is possible in space,” he said. “There could even be Woolly Mammoths out there!” In addition to science and astronomy, David enjoys studying social studies. “I like going back in time to learn about how things happened,” he said. He is proud to have been named a Student of the Month. “It feels really good. I didn’t even expect to win!” he exclaimed. David said he always gives maximum effort inside the classroom and always looks to help his peers. “Being Student of the Month means you did well in everything and you’re really helpful to your friends and teachers. It means you’re an example,” he said. He makes sure to set a good example each and every day. “Students can follow my lead and I’ll always help and guide them,” he smiled.
Lower School faculty member Ms. R. Baalbaki said, “David is supportive and collaborative with his peers, which makes him a great role model in class. David is such a positive influence on others and is always willing to lend a helping hand to a classmate. He is a wonderful student, and truly deserves to be the Lower School Student of the Month. Keep up the great work!”
Middle School Student of the Month Tiffany knows what it means to be an Adelphian. “I am proud to be an Adelphian,” she said. “It means I am responsible and creative.” At Adelphi, Tiffany enjoys learning alongside her classmates and showing her school spirit on Adelphi’s many Spirit Days. “I’m looking forward to Crazy Hat Day. I’m either going to buy something or make my own,” she said. Tiffany loves animals — especially her dogs Chloe, Ella and Cooper — and wants to become a veterinarian when she gets older. The experience of bringing Chloe to the vet in a time of need inspired Tiffany to pursue animal care as a career. “I saw how important it was to care for our pets,” she said. “I want to help all kinds of animals.” Tiffany has some important advice for her fellow Adelphians who seek to attain “Of the Month” recognition. “Failure is sometimes a part of success, so never give up and always try your best!” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Tiffany is a stellar student. She is a pleasure to have in class and is a positive role model for her classmates. I am very proud of Tiffany’s hard work!”
Upper School Student of the Month Musabikha, known affectionately by her friends and teachers as Misa, has worked hard to earn this prestigious honor. “I feel great!” she said. “I’m very happy that all my effort has proven that I am excelling at Adelphi. It definitely was a goal of mine to be a Student of the Month.” The ambitious Class of 2022 member aspires to study law and one day become a judge. “I love the news and journalism, and I like watching mystery programs that feature psychological profiles of criminals,” she said. Misa said she appreciates Adelphi’s unique approach to learning. “Students get to explore themselves in this environment,” she said. “Adelphi keeps students focused and motivated to excel.” Misa is looking forward to an exciting and event-filled senior year, filled with trips and special events. “We are planning a trip to go ice skating outdoors someplace,” she smiled. “I’m definitely looking forward to that.” Misa is making the most of her time at Adelphi through her involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities like Journalism Club (she is a proud member of The Adelphi Oracle), Trivia Society and Volleyball Clinic. “In Volleyball I was able to help out by teaching the students how to stretch before each session,” she said. Misa cites her maturity as a reason for her success. “It helps people respect me more,” she said. “When you conduct yourself the proper way, you feel good inside,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. DeCrescenzo said, “Misa always has a smile on her face and is always polite. She helps those around her often and gravitates toward showing new students around the school to get them more comfortable. I am very proud of Misa for receiving this Student of the Month recognition.”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s October 2021 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Michael has been playing tennis professionally for several years, competing in tournaments and earning trophies from an early age. He dreams of one day becoming a world-famous tennis star, although he also excels in other sports. “I’ve gotten really good at skiing and ice skating,” he said. “Also I go to swimming every week and do laps. I’m really fast!” In addition to his athletic pursuits, Michael enjoys studying and working with computers. He recently constructed his very own computer using parts purchased at Micro Center in Brooklyn. “I’m good at understanding computer concepts and functions,” he said. Michael recognizes the important role athletics can play in daily life. “Staying physically strong is important because it helps you maintain your overall health,” he explained. “Playing sports also teaches you to not stop trying and to set goals for yourself.” Earning “Of the Month” honors meant a lot to Michael. “I set this as a goal for myself, so it definitely feels like an achievement,” he said.
Faculty member Mr. Alvarracin of the Academy’s Athletics and Physical Education Department said, “Michael is a great team player. He follows directions in class and enforces important safety rules. Michael always makes it a goal to play fairly and encourage others to participate in class. I am so proud of Michael for his hard work and dedication.”
Student-Artist of the Month Karen seized the opportunity to showcase her creativity as a participant in the Bay Ridge Community Council’s Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest, for which she painted a memorable scene on the window of Ridgewood Savings Bank on Third Avenue. “I painted green grass filled with different sized pumpkins,” she explained. “Each pumpkin had its own unique style.” Karen’s efforts earned her a gold medal in the contest. Karen’s success in the contest should come as no surprise, as she has an affinity for creating nature scenes. “I enjoy drawing trees and nature scenes,” she said. “I mostly use colored pencils and markers.” Karen likes to create art whenever she is inspired. “I usually draw on a whim, so I have a marble notebook on me at all times,” she said. In addition to her excellence in art, Karen enjoys helping people and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. “I want to help children. Maybe I will become a child psychologist. I find it very interesting,” she said. Though new to Adelphi, Karen already has some sage advice for her fellow Adelphians to maximize their time here. “Try to work hard. And express all your talents to your teachers,” she said. “Try it all! That way you get to do what you love.”
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara noted, “Edgar Degas once said, ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’ Karen shows immense effort in all she creates and she has a natural talent that is inspiring to other artists. Congratulations to Karen on winning her first gold medal recently in the Bay Ridge Community Council’s Halloween Window Painting Contest and congratulations on being named Student-Artist of the Month!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for October: David, Tiffany, Musabikha, Michael and Karen!
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