Get to Know Adelphi’s March 2022 Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s March 2022 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Ryan (Lower School), Annamaria (Middle School), Khayriddin (Upper School), Samoyiddin (Scholar-Athlete) and Talya (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued in early April as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of March. Ryan (Lower School), Annamaria (Middle School), Khayriddin (Upper School), Samoyiddin (Scholar-Athlete) and Talya (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 Ryan has a feeling he knows what he did to earn “Of the Month” honors for March. “I was extra good in class!” he said. His effort paid off in a big way, as Ryan was thrilled to be honored in front of the entire school. “It feels great. Everyone clapped for me. It was so exciting!” he smiled. The ambitious Lower Schooler already knows what he wants to be when he grows up. “I want to be a police officer to protect everyone,” he said. Ryan’s ambition is also evident in his academics, as he proudly stated that he could count to 1,000 and then proceeded to do so during his interview. He enjoys attending Adelphi because of its hands-on approach to learning. “I like doing experiments and all the activities and projects,” he said. “Also, this is where my friends are.”
Lower School faculty member Ms. Delaney said, “Ryan has shown great improvement in all subject areas. He comes to school with a huge smile every day and is an active part of all class discussions. I am so proud of Ryan’s social and academic growth!”
Middle School Student of the Month Annamaria can’t wait to begin her career as a pizza chef. She already knows that she wants to open a restaurant with her sister Vanessa and create pizza that will have the whole neighborhood talking. “I want them to say, ‘This is the best pizza ever!’” she said. “I want it to be spicy. I’m going to use lots of spices.” Annamaria has been cooking for years and has perfected several enjoyable dishes. “I made brownies, waffles and crepes,” she said. Her favorite subject is math, which she said will come in handy with her cooking career. “You have to know your measurements and how much of each ingredient to use,” she explained. Annamaria is a key member of Adelphi’s Theater Arts Program and is looking forward to performing in the Academy’s Spring musical revue Adelphi Love. Her advice to her fellow Adelphians who seek to attain “Of the Month” honors is threefold. “You have to listen, be kind to everyone and look out for other people,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Fregara said, “Annamaria is a student who is committed to being an Adelphian! She meets all expectations in her classes, and she is a dedicated member of our Theater Arts Program who enjoys singing and playing the piano. Congratulations, Annamaria!”
Upper School Student of the Month Khayriddin, known by his classmates and teachers as Kai, takes this prestigious honor very seriously. “It feels like a tremendous honor has been bestowed upon me by Adelphi,” he said. “This is my first time winning an award here. It feels surreal.” Though humbled by the honor, Kai does recognize that he has grown during his time at Adelphi, which he said may have contributed to his being selected. “I think it derives from how mature you are in certain situations,” he said. “You have to learn to evolve and grow. I feel like I’m in a better position now and that I’ve earned some respect from my teachers and classmates.” As he embraces a leadership role at Adelphi, Kai said he intends to apply for a spot on the Academy’s Student Advisory Board next year. In college, Kai intends to study business management and political science. He aims to expand his family’s business into an international brand. What he appreciates most about Adelphi is its diversity. “I like that there are people from all different backgrounds,” he said. “You can learn a lot from being exposed to different cultures.” Kai especially relates to this year’s annual theme, “I am Adelphi,” because he recognizes that not everyone can claim to be an Adelphian. “It makes a statement that sets us apart from other people. It’s an honor to be a part of this select group at Adelphi.”
Homeroom teacher Mr. DeCrescenzo said, “Khayriddin is a very bright and very curious student who shows compassion toward the people around him. He works hard and has shown a lot of progress. I am very proud of Khayriddin for receiving Student of the Month recognition.”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s March 2022 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Samoyiddin, who is known as Samo by his friends and teachers, was excited to learn that he had been selected to receive this prestigious award. “I was very proud of myself,” he said. “I want to say thank you to everyone for this award. It’s an honor to receive it.” Samo said he gave maximum effort in physical education class, especially as pertains to running exercises. “I think everyone saw me trying to become a faster runner,” he said. “I’m always working to improve.” Another area in which Samo excels is basketball, having played in clinics for several years. “I was really good when I played and I think Mr. Alvarracin sees that I have some skills,” he said. Samo said he enjoys the warm and nurturing environment that exists at Adelphi. “Every teacher is happy and kind, and the students are also kind. It’s a good environment,” he said. Samo envisions becoming a successful entrepreneur in the supermarket industry when he gets older, then giving back to his community by donating groceries to those in need. It’s a dream he said he knows can come true with hard work and discipline. “If you put your mind to something, nothing can stop you,” he said. “Whatever your goal is, be sure to put your heart, soul and mind into achieving it.”
Faculty member Mr. Alvarracin of the Academy’s Athletics and Physical Education Department said, “Samoyiddin shows great effort in class, always working to become a better athlete and a more dedicated student. On the field of play, his enthusiasm is infectious. This makes him a perfect candidate for Scholar-Athlete of the Month honors. Congratulations, Samoyiddin!”
Student-Artist of the Month Talya is constantly creating artwork. “I just got new paints, actually,” she said. “I’ve been painting a lot. I make a lot of pictures and my mom hangs them up all over!” In addition to being a talented painter, Talya enjoys drawing and creating sculptures. “I also made a collage that turned out to be beautiful,” she smiled. What inspired the talented Lower Schooler to become so involved in art at such a young age? “My grandma taught me when I was very young,” she said. “I practice every day.” Talya’s favorite subject is math, which she said plays an important role in everyday life. “I love math,” she said. “It helps me advance and grow. I like challenges and figuring things out.” Speaking of figuring things out, Talya already knows what she wants to be when she grows up. “I want to own a restaurant that’s affordable and also a hair and nail salon on the top floor so people can come and relax and then go downstairs and eat,” she explained. Talya has some important advice for her fellow Adelphians who seek to attain “Of the Month” honors. “Study hard, always listen, follow the rules and try your best,” she said.
Adelphi Art Instructor Ms. Fregara noted, “Master artist Wassily Kandinsky once said, ‘There is no must in art because art is free.’ Talya is always being free with her art by exploring different materials. She creates exuberant work. Way to go, Talya!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for March: Ryan, Annamaria, Khayriddin, Samoyiddin and Talya!
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