Get to Know January 2025’s Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s January 2025 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Aubrey (Lower School), Mark (Middle School), Jayleen (Upper School), Edward (Scholar-Athlete) and Svetlana (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. Aubrey (Lower School), Mark (Middle School), Jayleen (Upper School), Edward (Scholar-Athlete) and Svetlana (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 Aubrey gave a big thumbs up when asked how it felt to receive this honor. “It feels really good!” she smiled. She always does her best and recognizes the importance of paying attention in class. “When you focus a lot in class and listen to the teacher, good things happen,” she said. Aubrey’s favorite subject is mathematics, and she is proud of her prowess. “I like counting all the way up to 100,” she said. At Adelphi, Aubrey enjoys playing and creating memories with her friends. “I like to play hide and seek,” she said. “It’s my favorite game because you get to count!” Aubrey’s advice to her fellow Adelphians is multi-faceted. “Pay attention, behave, listen and focus,” she said. “You will learn a lot!”
Lower School faculty member Ms. Holman said, “Aubrey excels in class and always brings a positive energy to the day’s lesson. She is a great classmate and a dedicated student who deserves this special recognition. Congratulations!”
Middle School Student of the Month Mark was excited to learn that he had received “Of the Month” honors. “I feel awesome!” he exclaimed. “I did a lot of good work.” Mark enjoys performing in Adelphi’s Theater Arts Program and has been rehearsing for his portrayal of Snoopy in the upcoming winter production. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” Mark said he enjoys singing and dancing with everybody, and he hopes to pursue acting more seriously in the future. “I like performing comedy,” he said. Mark’s favorite subject is mathematics, and he also enjoys the scavenger hunts that take place at times during House meetings. “I like finding the golden tickets,” he smiled. He enjoys riding trains and says he is fascinated by them. “They are so fast and go so far!” he said. Mark has some important advice for students who wish to attain similar honors at Adelphi. “Copy down your notes and always do your homework,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Mr. Cook said, “Mark is a dedicated student who demonstrates and strong understanding of the material and takes his academics very seriously. The fact that he is able to simultaneously commit so much of his time to performing in the Theater Arts Program shows that he is a well-rounded Adelphian deserving of this honor.”
Upper School Student of the Month Jayleen was pleased to be named a “Student of the Month” in her very first year at Adelphi. “Since I’m new here, I didn’t think I could be considered a leader already, so this feels so good,” she smiled. Jayleen’s outgoing personality has helped her make friends quickly at Adelphi, and it has given her the confidence to take the stage as a member of the Theater Arts Program. “I’ve been doing theater since middle school, so it seemed like a good idea to do it in my first year at Adelphi,” she explained. She has certainly enjoyed Adelphi’s unique approach to education during her short time here. “I’m enjoying programs and events I’ve never had before,” she said. Jayleen hopes to pursue a career in communications, particularly as a sports reporter interviewing basketball and soccer stars. “I like sports, and that seems like it would be very interesting,” she said. Her advice for her fellow new Adelphians is simple yet inspiring. “If you feel like you want to give up on something, don’t because there is always a rainbow at the end of every storm,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Jayleen has become an important part of the Adelphi community in such a short time! She is an active member of class discussions and is involved in extracurricular activities that allow her to showcase her creativity and personality. Keep up the great work!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s January 2025 “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 Edward is an accomplished amateur wrestler who has won a number of championships already. “I’m ranked in the top 3 in all of New York City,” he smiled. “I won the state tournament twice and finished second at Nationals.” In college, Edward hopes to qualify for the world championship. One of the challenges he faces before every big match is maintaining the proper weight to remain in his designated class. “I lost 13 pounds in one week by eating mostly oatmeal and drinking tons of water,” he said. “It’s important to be ready for anything.” Edward is an active swimmer, which he uses as part of his regular training. “It helps with conditioning and breathing,” he said. At Adelphi, Edward is looking forward to continuing to grow and learn as an Upper Schooler. “It’s a bigger step and the classes are harder so you have to stay on top of your work,” he said. Edward is looking forward to pursuing a career in the medical field and advises his fellow Adelphians to stay focused on their goals. “No matter what people may say, don’t let them bring you down,” he said. “You have to ignore negativity and keep moving forward.”
Physical Education instructor Mr. Biale said, “Edward is a well-conditioned and disciplined athlete who continually works to be the best he can be. He’s an excellent teammate who understands the importance of working hard to achieve a goal.”
Student-Artist of the Month Svetlana is always exploring new ways to express her creativity in art class. Most recently, she completed a sculpture of a coliseum that impressed her teachers and her peers. “I asked to do a sculpture because it sounded fun,” she said. “I added Velcro and glue to the piece to keep everything in place.” Svetlana has made a conscious effort to expand her artistic horizons this year. “I’m trying to focus more on art and try new things,” she said. Svetlana said she prefers sketching in pencil and then going over her drawings in marker. “I like using alcohol markers and ink pens because they are more solid and don’t smear,” she explained. She has also gotten more interested in creating digital art. “I like it because you can use all different colors and anything is possible,” she said. In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Svetlana excels in Science and plans to pursue a career in medicine. “I think becoming an ENT would be the most interesting career,” she said. Svetlana has some sage advice for her fellow Adelphians when it comes to creating artwork. “Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from others in art,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Svetlana continues to amaze when it comes to her artwork and approach to art in general. She takes her work very seriously and her effort is evident with each new piece she creates. I am proud of her for receiving this honor.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for January: Aubrey, Mark, Jayleen, Edward and Svetlana!
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 more than 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