Get to Know Adelphi’s January 2023 Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s January 2023 Students of the Month (clockwise from left): Selena (Lower School), Sabrina (Middle School), Yuk Tung (Upper School), Avi (Scholar-Athlete) and Alina (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in early February as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of January. Selena (Lower School), Sabrina (Middle School), Yuk Tung (Upper School), Avi (Scholar-Athlete) and Alina (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 Selena was extremely grateful for receiving such a prestigious honor at Adelphi. “I was surprised,” she said. “But I’m very thankful. It feels good to get this award.” Selena is a talented artist who dreams of incorporating her artistic abilities into her career one day. “I want to be a professional artist,” she said. “But I also want to own a fancy café that serves croissants, so maybe I will sell my art there too.” Selena keeps a drawing book at her side at all times and mostly enjoys drawing and shading with pencils. “I drew a girl sketching on her bed that came out nice,” she said. “That’s probably my favorite.” Selena enjoys the warm atmosphere at Adelphi and appreciates the opportunity to learn new things. “I love all my teachers and my classes,” she smiled. Her key to success may correlate directly
to her attitude. “I’m very optimistic,” she revealed. “I try to stay happy.” Her advice to her fellow Adelphians is simple but important. “Turn in all your assignments on time!” she urged.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Shcheblykina said, “Selena is a dedicated student who always takes part in the lesson and is always looking to provide help to those around her. She is truly deserving of this award and I am very proud of her effort.”
Middle School Student of the Month Sabrina already knows what she wants to be when she grows up. “I’m going to be a cardiothoracic surgeon,” she said proudly. Her reason for wanting to enter the medical field, aside from her proficiency in math and science, is noble. “I don’t want to see someone suffer,” she said. “I want to have a hospital of my own and perform surgeries for a discount. No one should have to suffer because they don’t have enough to afford surgery.” Sabrina is very goal-oriented and believes that through hard work and dedication anything is possible. That is why she wasn’t surprised to learn that she had attained “Of the Month” honors. “I knew I would get it at some point,” she smiled. “It was one of my goals.” A talented artist who enjoys sketching and shading, Sabrina has goals to improve her artwork as well. “I want to draw human faces realistically,” she said. A new Adelphian, Sabrina said she already feels completely at home. “I like how everything is managed well and how everyone is well behaved,” she said. She has some helpful advice to students seeking to attain success at Adelphi. “Try hard and always be happy for anyone who achieves something,” she said. “Wait patiently, keep your head up and if you dream it, you will achieve it.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Berios said, “Sabrina is a lovely, kindhearted student who helps her classmates whenever they need it. She is very generous, responsible and respectful of her peers and teachers. I am very proud of Sabrina for achieving Middle School Student of the Month honors!
Upper School Student of the Month Yuk Tung, known affectionately by his classmates as Thomson, said he was surprised to learn of his achievement. “It was unexpected, but I am very grateful,” he said. “I’m going to continue what I’m doing to remain successful.” Though he is uncertain about his future career plans, Thomson said he can envision a career that incorporates mathematics, his favorite subject. “Math can be useful in a variety of fields,” he acknowledged. This year, Thomson has assumed a leadership role at Adelphi as a member of the Student Advisory Board. “I joined because it allows me to have a special experience at Adelphi and I know I’m helping,” he said. He advises his fellow students to stay on top of assignments if they want to achieve success. “Complete everything and you should do fine,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Foronda said, “Now in his second year as an Adelphian, Yuk Tung has shown immense growth and potential in his work ethic as well as true Adelphi spirit. As a new member of Adelphi’s Student Advisory Board, he has embodied the drive to be a better student and role model for his fellow students. I am proud that he is part of my homeroom and I look forward to teaching him each day. Congratulations!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s January 2023 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Avi is proud of his athleticism. “I like running,” he said. “I’m super-fast, like the Flash!” His athleticism will come in handy in the future, as Avi plans to become both a police officer and a firefighter. “I’m going to have everybody calling me all the time and I’m going to help them all,” he said. Avi is also a talented artist who is always creating. He especially enjoys using markers. “I like to draw my friends in different colors,” he said. “I’m always blue because blue is the best!” Avi, whose older sister and cousins also attend Adelphi, said he enjoys coming to school as a family. “I like seeing my family and also my friends!” he smiled.
Ms. Shcheblykina said, “Avi is very energetic and always participates in class. He is a good teammate and classmate to his friends and I am very proud of him for receiving this honor. Keep up the good work, Avi!”
Student-Artist of the Month Alina said it felt great to be recognized for her work. “It means I’m an artist and my art made people happy,” she said. Her favorite tool to use is a pencil, as she enjoys creating anime-inspired characters. “Sometimes I draw realistic characters too, but whatever I draw I always try my best,” she said. In addition to her artistic prowess, Alina excels in science and plans to pursue a career in medicine when she gets older. “I’m going to be a surgeon,” she said. “I want to help people.” At Adelphi, Alina enjoys using her Chromebook to play learning games and dressing up for Spirit Days. Her advice is applicable to students in any age group. “Always be kind and treat others like you should be treated,” she said.
House Master Ms. Wong noted, “Alina is a wonderful student who is always kind and respectful of others. She is a talented artist who enjoys showcasing her work; she is the perfect choice to receive Student-Artist of the Month honors.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for January: Selena, Sabrina, Yuk Tung, Avi and Alina!
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