Get to Know May 2024’s Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s May 2024 Students of the Month (clockwise from left): Sila (Lower School), Anthony (Middle School), Kenn (Upper School), Sarah (Scholar-Athlete) and Alina (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. Sila (Lower School), Anthony (Middle School), Kenn (Upper School), Sarah (Scholar-Athlete) and Alina (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 evening’s awards program. 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 Sila loves attending Adelphi. “Adelphi is really the best!” she exclaimed. Sila was surprised and excited to hear her name called at the awards banquet and to be recognized in front of the whole crowd. “It was a great surprise!” she smiled. Sila said she always tries to do something nice for her teachers and classmates. “I always help and offer them my snacks,” she said. When she gets older, Sila wants to become a teacher. “I like helping everybody and teaching them,” she said. “I want to show them how to read and write.” In class, Sila enjoys learning about outer space. “Maybe I will visit Mars one day,” she giggled.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Mani said, “Sila is a great classmate and friend to everyone, and she always does her work with a smile. I am so proud of her for achieving this honor!”
Middle School Student of the Month Anthony had been hoping to receive this prestigious honor for quite some time. “I was so surprised and also relieved,” he said. “It’s good to know that I finally made it.” Anthony has a simple but effective approach to his academic career at Adelphi. “I always try to make it in to school, no matter what,” he said. “If school depends on someone to come in and they don’t, it’s a problem. I try to be dependable.” At Adelphi, Anthony excels in mathematics. “I like figuring out the answers,” he said. He is hoping to parlay his love of math into a successful career in stocks. “You have to know when stocks are on the rise and study them,” he said. “It’s very interesting.” Anthony is also a talented performer who has taken the stage as a member of Adelphi’s Theater Arts Program several times already. “I’ve been in theater since Lower School, so it’s something I really enjoy doing here,” he explained. His advice for students who are looking to be successful at Adelphi is to always learn from mistakes. “Don’t play around in class, work hard and help out wherever you can,” he said. “Slow down and think about what you’re doing.”
Middle School faculty member Mr. Bates said, “Anthony always give a strong effort in class and takes pride in being an Adelphian. He is a hardworking member of the Theater Arts Program and never shies away from the spotlight. Keep shining, Anthony!”
Upper School Student of the Month Kenn was also quietly hoping that his name would be called at the banquet for this prestigious honor. “I feel so honored, like I finally achieved my goal,” he said. “I do anticipate earning ‘Of the Month’ each year and I always hope to make it.” Kenn was one of only two Adelphians chosen to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation conference at Adelphi University in early June, an experience that he said impacted him tremendously. “It was incredible,” he said. “I met a lot of students and took tons of notes. It taught me how to be a leader.” Part of the experience involved creating his own business along with other students from across the country. “We learned about budgeting and were very successful,” he said. A longtime member of the Theater Arts Program, Kenn enjoys singing, dancing and playing piano. “I want to keep practicing piano this summer, and I want to learn a new language,” he said. For his career, Kenn is interested in engineering. “I’m going to major in engineering with a minor in business,” he said. As a leader and veteran Adelphian, Kenn has some sage advice for others. “Be confident, take action and never give up!” he said.
Upper School faculty member Ms. Wong said, “Kenn is a dedicated student who also understands the value of being a good classmate and friend to others. I am proud of his continued growth at Adelphi and I congratulate him on receiving ‘Of the Month’ honors!”
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Sarah saw some improvement in her athletic abilities this past year. “In basketball I definitely improved on defense,” she said. Sarah has set a number of important goals for herself now that she is a member of Adelphi’s Upper School. “I want to earn a bigger title in Publications and I want to keep writing about hockey,” she said. Already serving as assistant editor to The Adelphi Oracle, Sarah has her eyes set on even more responsibility moving forward. “I want to make the decisions and help others write better,” she said. A huge fan of the Islanders, Sarah enjoyed writing about the NHL season and foresees herself running the sports department. Professionally, Sarah hopes to become an eye doctor one day. “I want to open my own practice,” she said. Her advice for others who want to achieve success is important. “Work hard, be kind and help others whenever they need guidance,” she said.
Physical Education instructor Mr. Biale said, “Sarah’s attention to detail and drive to be the absolute best served her well in physical education this year. She improved dramatically on the basketball court and I’m sure the best is yet to come. I congratulate her on achieving this honor.”
Student-Artist of the Month Alina is very talented and enjoys creating artwork that makes people happy. “I like to draw in pencil but sometimes I color it in,” she smiled. Her interest in anime often inspires her work, but she also enjoys the challenge of creating realistic images, she said. When she grows up, Alina looks forward to helping other through a career in medicine. “I’m going to be a surgeon,” she smiled.
Art instructor Ms. Pereira said, “Alina draws very well and pays excellent attention to detail. Her work is always interesting and eye-catching. I am so proud of her for receiving this fabulous award in front of her friends and family members at the awards banquet. Great job, Alina!”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for April: Sila, Anthony, Kenn, Sarah and Alina!
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