Get to Know February’s Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s February 2024 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Rayan (Lower School), Martin (Middle School), Yiyang (Upper School), Zeyan (Scholar-Athlete) and Emma (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in early March as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of February. Rayan (Lower School), Martin (Middle School), Ziyang (Upper School), Zeyan (Scholar-Athlete) and Emma (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 Rayan was excited to learn that he had been selected to receive this honor. “It feels good,” he smiled. Rayan is very creative and enjoys building elaborate structures out of Legos. “I have a billion of them!” he exclaimed. “I build jets, castles, farms…I even built Adelphi Academy using brown brick pieces.” Rayan enjoys his time at Adelphi because of the welcoming and comforting atmosphere. “Everyone is nice to me,” he said. “And I get nice awards like ‘Of the Month.’” When he grows up, Rayan is hoping to combine his love of science with his love of Legos as a career. “I’m going to be a scientist, but I’m also going to have my own Youtube channel where I build Legos,” he explained.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Holman said, “Rayan has been doing a great job! He comes to school happy and eager to learn every day! I am very proud of Rayan for receiving this Student of the Month recognition!”
Middle School Student of the Month Martin was reflective upon receiving his award. “I’ve been here since Pre-K,” he said. “It makes me feel good and proud because now my classmates depend on me.” Martin enjoys a challenge and is always eager to learn. His favorite classes are math and English. “I like how intense English class gets. It makes me write a lot. And I enjoy using Paint 3D in the computer lab with Mr. Bates,” he said. Martin also enjoys being part of the many spirit days at Adelphi. “I’m not shy,” he said. “I like to participate in everything.” So, what’s his favorite spirit day? “I like Pajama Day because I just wake up, brush my teeth and head out the door. There’s no need to change!” he laughed. When he gets older, Martin hopes to go into business for himself. “I want to run a big company like Amazon,” he said. For now, he has some important advice not only for others but that he follows himself. “Always work hard to achieve your dreams,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. Cook said, “Martin sets an example for his classmates by hardly ever — if at all — requiring correction. He can be counted upon to have his act together all day, every day.”
Upper School Student of the Month Ziyang knows what it takes to be named a Student of the Month. “You need to be serious in class, finish your homework and be kind to others,” he said. Ziyang was thrilled to be selected for this honor. “I’m very happy and I appreciate my teachers very much,” he said. At Adelphi, Ziyang enjoys the interesting events and opportunities students get to enjoy together. “I also like the small class size and the attention given to each student,” he said. “The teachers are very caring and attentive.” When he gets older, Ziyang hopes to pursue a degree in business and start his own company. “I want to be the boss,” he smiled. Ziyang has some sage advice for students who wish to achieve success at Adelphi. “Be serious and honest, and never give up because hard work pays off,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Ziyang is always willing to help his peers. He is polite and respects his teachers and classmates. I am very proud of Ziyang for receiving Upper School Student of the Month honors! Keep up the good work!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s February 2024 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration hosted by Head of School Ms. Romanos.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Zeyan was overjoyed when he learned that he had been selected to receive this honor. “I was so surprised!” he exclaimed. “It felt nice.” Zeyan’s favorite sport is basketball, which he enjoys playing at Adelphi with his peers. “I like shooting and I can dribble very well,” he said. Professionally, Zeyan enjoys watching the Golden State Warriors and still roots for Jordan Poole, who is now a member of the Washington Wizards. His all-time favorite player, though, was Kobe Bryant. When asked what he enjoys the most about his time at Adelphi, his answer was simple. “Basically everything!” he said. A highlight for Zeyan was attending Adelphi’s Fall Leadership Retreat to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. “The trip was very fun and I learned a lot,” he said. When he gets older, Zeyan hopes to pursue a degree in engineering. As for any advice he may have for aspiring basketball players, Zeyan said it comes down to discipline. “Practice shooting 100 times each day,” he advised. “Keep going and eventually you will make it.”
Physical Education instructor Mr. Biale said, “Zeyan is an excellent teammate and a dedicated athlete. He always works hard to make sure he is improving his skills so that he can do whatever is needed to help his team win. Congratulations on receiving this prestigious honor!”
Student-Artist of the Month Emma said it felt great to be recognized for her creativity. “I feel so happy!” she said. As for her art, Emma creates a variety of scenes involving some of her favorite things. “I like to draw cats,” she said. “I also draw people.” One of her favorite creations is a depiction of traffic on a bridge. “I drew a toll booth and an EZ-Pass,” she smiled. Emma hopes to continue creating art in the future, but for now she is enjoying all that Adelphi has to offer. “I like Pajama Day because it’s so comfortable,” she said. Her advice to her fellow artists at Adelphi is important. “Be kind to others and always finish you artwork!” she said.
Math instructor Mr. Bates said, “Emma shows tremendous effort in the classroom and especially when creating artwork. She expresses herself through her art and allows her imagination to shine. She is worthy of this honor and I look forward to seeing her next masterpiece!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for February: Rayan, Martin, Yiyang, Zeyan and Emma!
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