Get to Know Adelphi’s November 2022 Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s November 2022 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Alexander (Lower School), Giancarlo (Middle School), Khayriddin (Upper School), Zachary (Scholar-Athlete) and Haris (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in early December as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of November. Alexander (Lower School), Giancarlo (Middle School), Khayriddin (Upper School), Zachary (Scholar-Athlete) and Haris (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 Alexander enjoys working with his hands. “I like to build things,” he smiled. “Building with Legos is my favorite!” Alexander often uses his creativity to build structures that he visualizes in his mind. “When I don’t know what to build I come up with an idea and then I create it with Legos,” he explained. “Then whenever I build something I add to it.” The studious Lower Schooler enjoys studying math at Adelphi. “It’s important and you learn a lot in Math,” he said. When it comes to his future, the sky’s the limit for Alexander — literally! “I’m going to be a pilot!” he exclaimed. “I like airplanes. I want to fly to every country.” Alexander has some helpful advice for his fellow Adelphians who wish to attain “Of the Month” honors. “They should practice and always learn to be better,” he said.
Adelphi’s Musical Director Mr. Bates said, “Alexander has tremendous energy and is a bona fide rocker who enjoys playing air guitar. He is always interested in the lesson of the day and is worthy of recognition. I am proud of Alexander for attaining Student of the Month honors.”
Middle School Student of the Month Giancarlo was excited to receive this prestigious honor. “It feels good,” he said. “I’m surprised but thankful.” Giancarlo is enjoying his time at Adelphi. “I really like the teachers and the events that take place,” he said. “And I really like the food.” The culinary connoisseur hopes to turn his love for food into a career someday. “I want to be a gaming Youtuber to build an audience, then I want to start a cooking channel,” he explained. Giancarlo’s favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs, but he said he is hoping to master his mother’s meatloaf recipe for his channel. “I watch my mom when she’s cooking and it smells delicious,” he smiled. A proud member of Adelphi’s Theater Arts Program, Giancarlo was excited to perform in front of his family and friends at the Annual Happy Holiday Brunch. “I like to sing,” he said. “I’m not scared to be up there by myself.” Giancarlo has some sage advice for his fellow Adelphians. “There’s always room for improvement,” he said. “Study harder, work harder and always listen to your teachers.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Berios said, “I am beyond proud of Giancarlo for receiving Student of the Month honors. He is a funny, kind and caring student who is always there for his peers. Giancarlo is very humble and seeing him excited warms my heart. He deserves this recognition!”
Upper School Student of the Month Khayriddin, known affectionately by his classmates as Kai, was thrilled to have been selected for this prestigious honor once again. “Honestly, it feels just as great as last time,” he said. “It is quite an honor. It feels good to set an example for others to always do better and try their best at whatever they do.” A member of Adelphi’s Class of 2023, Kai has his sights set on pursuing a degree in business administration at Columbia University. “I want to expand my family business and create a global chain of halal products,” he said. Kai’s favorite memory at Adelphi occurred last year, when he received “Of the Month” honors for the first time. “It was evidence that hard work pays off,” he said. A world-class table tennis player, Kai enjoys sharing his skills with his fellow Adelphians as the founder and student moderator of Adelphi’s Table Tennis Club, which meets after school twice a week. Kai is also a proud member of the Student Advisory Board. “It sets me apart and allows for some unique opportunities within the school,” he said. “I am proud to be a member.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Foronda said, “Kai is a hardworking student who shines when applying himself to his academics and study habits. His engaging persona helps him bond with his peers and he shows his maturity when mentoring in Lower School. Great work, Kai!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s November 2022 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Zachary knows the most important thing an Adelphian can do to earn “Of the Month” honors. “Listening in class!” he said. “It’s very important.” Academically, Zachary said he mostly enjoys writing. “I wrote the whole alphabet,” he said proudly. “And I wrote cards for everyone I love.” When he gets older, Zachary hopes to pursue a career in medicine. “I want to be a doctor because they make people better,” he said. A gifted athlete, the active Lower Schooler loves playing sports. “I play every kind of sport,” he said. “I can exercise for 10 hours!” Zachary is excited to begin learning tennis and soccer at Match Point. When it comes to classroom etiquette, Zachary has some advice for his fellow Adelphians. “They can share toys with everyone,” he suggested. “It’s always good to share!”
Ms. Berios said, “Zachary is a sweet and loving student. I am very proud of him for receiving this Scholar-Athlete of the Month award. ”
Student-Artist of the Month Haris enjoys drawing various objects in class and at home. He prefers using colored pencils to create his masterpieces, but he is also particularly proud of a colorful collage he created recently. “I used tissue paper and glue,” he said. “I used all different colors — white, blue, yellow and pink.” At Adelphi, Haris enjoys the many events that are held throughout the year. The multitalented Middle Schooler recently performed as part of Adelphi’s Performing Chorus at the Annual Happy Holiday Brunch. “It was a lot of fun,” he smiled. “It felt great to get involved and sing!” Haris is a talented soccer player who hopes to play professionally one day, but his aspirations don’t end there. “I’m going to be a coach after my career is over,” he explained.
Mr. Bates noted, “Haris takes great pride in his work and pays strong attention to detail in all of his assignments. On stage, he is a true artist who shines in the spotlight. He is always respectful and kind toward his classmates and teachers. I am proud of him for earning this prestigious honor.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for November: Alexander, Giancarlo, Khayriddin, Zachary and Haris!
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.
* * *
Photos courtesy of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn