Get to Know Adelphi’s May 2023 Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s May 2023 Students of the Month (Clockwise from left): Eva (Lower School), Samoyiddin (Middle School), Sebastiana (Upper School), Kenn (Scholar-Athlete) and Michelle (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program concluded at the Annual Student Awards Banquet as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of May. Eva (Lower School), Samoyiddin (Middle School), Sebastiana (Upper School), Kenn (Scholar-Athlete) and Michelle (Student-Artist) received their official pins, congratulatory letters and certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos during a very special portion of the awards banquet held inside the Bay Ridge Manor. 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 Eva has incredible drive and ambition at an early age. She has a lot of goals that she feels are attainable if she stays focused. “I want to have 10 kids and 6 jobs!” she smiled. “My main job is going to be a doctor. I’m going to be an ENT like my dad.” Eva said she enjoys her time at Adelphi and is thankful for the opportunity to study a variety of subjects. “I enjoy phonics, math, English, science, Spanish and reading,” she said. “Actually, everything is my favorite!” Eva knows what it takes to earn Student of the Month honors. “You have to be good and help your classmates.” She is proud to have demonstrated leadership skills in class. “I got to be the door monitor!” she said proudly.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Shcheblykina said, “Eva is a joy to have in class and her interest in all subjects is inspiring to her classmates and also to me as a faculty member. I look forward to teaching Eva every day because she is always deeply involved in the lesson. Congratulations to Eva for earning this award!”
Middle School Student of the Month Samoyiddin, known affectionately as Samo, takes this honor very seriously and is proud to have been recognized in front of the entire Adelphi community. “It brought me a moment of immense joyfulness and I am very proud to have been honored,” he said. “This inspires me to try to be an even better Adelphian.” The aspiring entrepreneur is looking forward to studying business administration in college while working at his family’s supermarket. “I hope to learn something new about the business and making it my own,” he said. Among his many accomplishments from this past year, Samo cites his improvement in Publications as a personal highlight. “I would like to give thanks to Mr. Buttacavoli for his guidance and for making me a better writer,” he said. “I’m proud of how much I’ve improved.” Samo has some important advice for his fellow Adelphians. “Have respect for your teachers and classmates because they deserve respect,” he said. “Treat others like you wish to be treated and always try to be better.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Samo has demonstrated tremendous growth, both academically and as a member of the school community. He is polite, respectful and considerate at all times and he has a thirst for knowledge that is seemingly unending. He is a perfect choice to receive this honor.”
Upper School Student of the Month Sebastiana is proud to be an Adelphian and excited to be a Student of the Month. “I’m grateful for the opportunities this school has given me,” she said. “And it feels good to be recognized for my efforts.” Sebastiana came to Adelphi at the urging of her younger brother Giancarlo, who has thrived as a member of the Theater Arts Program. “I heard so much from him about Adelphi and when I got here I found out that he was right. It was amazing to see that this great place actually does exist!” she said. Sebastiana wasted no time becoming involved in extracurricular activities at Adelphi, from Weight Training to Journalism Club to the Theater Arts Program. “I like trying new things,” she smiled. As she prepares to sing two solos in the upcoming Spring musical production “Adelphi Songs of Inspiration,” Sebastiana admits that she has given some thought to pursuing her love of theater professionally. “I would like to become an actor or be involved with the arts in some way, definitely,” she said. Sebastiana said she learned a valuable lesson that she would like to share with her fellow Adelphians. “Work hard, ask questions so you know what’s going on and get involved!” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Foronda said, “Sebastiana is an engaging and insightful student who always participates in class and gets her classmates involved in the discussion. She shines on stage and in the classroom and certainly deserves ‘of the month’ honors!”
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Kenn loves to play soccer and has followed the sport since childhood. At Adelphi, the Student Advisory Board member took the initiative and created Soccer Club to share his passion for the sport with others. “It was fun that I got to take the lead and control the club,” he said. “I knew what would happen each week and what I wanted to do with it.” Kenn also enjoys volleyball and basketball. On the basketball court, he usually serves as point guard. “I like to control the action,” he smiled. Off the court, Kenn has emerged as one of the leading photographers for the Academy’s student newspaper, The Adelphi Oracle. Kenn hopes to pursue a career in marketing when he gets older, but is also contemplating earning a degree in medicine through the U.S. Navy. His advice for his fellow Adelphians is important. “Always be a role model and have awareness of others,” he said. “It’s important to be friendly, respectful, organized and kind.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Kenn always gives maximum effort when it comes to athletics. He involves his teammates and shares his passion for competition with them. I am extremely proud of Kenn for being named Scholar-Athlete of the Month.”
Student-Artist of the Month Michelle couldn’t believe she was being recognized in front of the entire school community at the awards banquet. “I felt so special,” she smiled. “It was truly an honor to be recognized.” Michelle started doodling at a young age and developed a passion for art that continues to grow. “I tried to get better and took pride in my work,” she explained. She enjoys creating portraits and prefers to use colored pencils and markers in her work. She also enjoys studying and creating visual art. “I like how art can inspire so many feelings,” she said. At Adelphi, Michelle’s favorite moment was attending the Spring Formal. “It was so much fun,” she said. “We got to see our teachers have fun with students in a new way.” Though artistic by nature, Michelle also possesses a strong business sense and is already planning her future. “I’m going to be an optician and take over my family business!” she said. Her advice for students who wish to attain “Of the Month” honors next year is simple yet profound. “Keep trying and don’t give up. That’s what I did,” she said.
Ms. Wong noted, “Michelle creates compelling artwork on almost a daily basis! She is always creating and expressing herself through her art. Michelle is an ideal candidate to be named Student-Artist of the Month because she is a true artist in every sense of the word. Congratulations, Michelle!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for May: Eva, Samo, Sebastiana, Kenn and Michelle!
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