Get to Know October’s Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s October 2023 Students of the Month (clockwise from left): Nicole (Lower School), Thomas (Middle School), Michelle (Upper School), Yuk Tung (Scholar-Athlete) and Michael (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. Nicole (Lower School), Thomas (Middle School), Michelle (Upper School), Yuk Tung (Scholar-Athlete) and Michael (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 Nicole was excited to learn that she had been selected to receive this prestigious honor. “It feels good. No, it feels great!” she smiled. “I was very proud.” The talented Lower Schooler has some lofty ambitions for when she gets older. “I want to be an astronaut,” she revealed. “My plan is to work at NASA and build my own rocket ship!” Nicole knows that achieving her goal will take tremendous courage and dedication, but she is up to the task. “I’m not afraid,” she said. “I want to set a record by going to Mars. I’m going to invent something that will let me live there!” When asked if she would be lonely living all alone in space, Nicole chuckled. “No, because Vanessa will come and stay with me!” Nicole has some very important advice to share with her classmates who hope to receive “Of the Month” honors. “Concentrate in class, do all your schoolwork and always be kind!” she said.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Saleh said, “Nicole has such a big heart. Selfless, caring and hardworking are just a few ways to describe what a great student she is. Nicole consistently puts the best interest of others ahead of her own. She is a friend to all and offers a helping hand to any student in need. We are proud to have Nicole represent our Lower School as our Student of the Month!”
Middle School Student of the Month Thomas understands the magnitude of receiving such special recognition at Adelphi. “I take it very seriously,” he said. “It feels so good and I’m very proud.” At Adelphi, Thomas is actively involved in the Theater Arts Program and has performed in several productions. “It’s great because I like singing and not a lot of schools have a program like this,” he said. He also appreciates the opportunity to attend school trips and experience learning outside the classroom. “I enjoy going on trips, especially the trampoline park for Winter Field Day,” he smiled. Academically, Thomas enjoys studying mathematics and recognizes its value in everyday life. An animal lover, Thomas would like to one day become a veterinarian. “I love animals and want to help people’s pets,” he said. His advice for his fellow Adelphians is simple but important. “Do your best and always turn in your assignments,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Berios said, “Thomas is a spirited, funny, selfless, one-man show who brings joy to any room he walks in. He works hard and is always putting his best foot forward in anything he does. I am very proud of Thomas as he is receiving the Student of the Month award! It is well deserved and I applaud him!”
Upper School Student of the Month Michelle was extremely proud to learn that she had received this honor. “I feel like a leader! I’m very happy,” she said. To foster her leadership aspirations at Adelphi, Michelle recently applied for the Student Advisory Board. “I love participating and helping whenever I can,” she said. “I want to be seen as a leader who can help others.” Michelle also enjoys theater and looks forward to assisting the Theater Arts Program as a member of the Stage Crew. “I also enjoy doing choreography,” she said. To earn “Of the Month” honors, Michelle said it takes strong effort. “You’re not going to get anywhere without it,” she said. “You have to take control and be patient, helpful, understanding and kind.” As for her career plans, Michelle hopes to take over her family’s business as an optician. “Who knows where the future will take me, but at least I have a plan for now,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Michelle has shown tremendous growth during her time at Adelphi. She takes her role as a leader here very seriously and is always looking to become more involved. She serves as a good example to her classmates and is truly deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Michelle!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s October 2023 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Yuk Tung always puts in strong effort when it comes to athletic endeavors. “I enjoy improving my skills and the success I’ve had through hard work,” he said. He has participated in Adelphi’s Table Tennis Club and Weight Training. “I was told by classmates that Weight Training was interesting so I joined and found out that it is,” he explained. “I’ve tried almost all the machines and I enjoy learning what muscle groups each one targets.” Yuk Tung is currently training regularly and plans to stick to a fitness routine going forward. “Fitness is important for your overall health,” he said. When it comes to being part of a team, Yuk Tung has some helpful advice. “Always share and support your teammates,” he said. Academically, Yuk Tung excels at math and computer science. Though he is undecided about his future plans at the moment, he knows he can fall back on his interest to achieve success. “I will probably pursue something related to technology,” he said.
Physical Education instructor Mr. Biale said, “Thomson is a great student athlete who shows dedication, sportsmanship and hard work. He does well in school and on the court, always striving for excellence. He inspires his teammates and has achieved a lot because of his strong leadership and never-give-up attitude. Thomson is a deserving winner of our Scholar-Athlete of the Month award because he is not only a talented athlete, but he defines what it means to have great character.”
Student-Artist of the Month Michael is extremely dedicated to his craft, having taken lessons for the past three years to perfect his skills. “I enjoy studying perspective, creating people and capturing the little details,” he said. When he learned that he had been selected to receive this honor, Michael was both pleased and satisfied. “It feels really good!” he said. “I wasn’t necessarily surprised because I work very hard on my art, but it is definitely an honor.” Recently, Michael’s artwork was featured in the Annual Fall Auction of Fine Art, Cigar Night & Cocktail Reception hosted by Adelphi. “It was very exciting,” he said. “There was quite a lot of bidding on my work!” The highest bidder ended up being a member of Michael’s own family, and he was proud to reveal that his masterpiece is currently hanging up in his room at home. Though he is undecided about his future career plans, Michael said he will always strive to create art. “I try to perfect it. I find it to be relaxing,” he said. “I want to create nice art and make sure more people see it.”
Homeroom teacher Mr. Cook noted, “Michael is a dedicated student and talented artist who is meticulous in his approach to learning. He takes tremendous pride in his art and it shows with every piece he creates. I am proud of him for attaining ‘Of the Month’ honors and wish him continued success.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for October: Nicole, Thomas, Michelle, Yuk Tung and Michael!
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 learners for college, career, and life, one day at a time” for over 160 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