Get to Know Adelphi’s September 2022 Students of the Month
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s September 2022 Students of the Month (clockwise from top): Jose (Lower School), Alexa (Middle School), Svetlana (Upper School), Mehkrojbek (Scholar-Athlete) and Jenna (Student-Artist).
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program kicked off in early October as five outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating extraordinary effort during the month of September. Jose (Lower School), Alexa (Middle School), Svetlana (Upper School), Mekhrojbek (Scholar-Athlete) and Jenna (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 Jose was excited to learn that he had been selected for the first award of the school year. “I feel great!” he exclaimed. “It’s crazy. I can’t believe I got this precious honor.” Jose enjoys going to the playground with his friends at Adelphi and he also likes working on group projects. He fondly recalled creating his very own slime last year, for example. “I like art and I also like to build stuff,” he said. Jose knows what it takes to be a good leader at Adelphi. “You need to do your homework, follow directions and have good behavior,” he said. When he grows up, Jose envisions himself as a protector of others. “I’m going to be a police officer,” he revealed. “I’m going to catch bad guys and keep people safe!”
Musical Director Mr. Bates said, “Jose is a model student. He is a pleasure to teach. Jose is a hard worker and the first person to lend a hand. I am so proud of him!”
Middle School Student of the Month Alexa enjoys the warm atmosphere that exists at Adelphi. “I like seeing all my friends. It’s like a family,” she said. Alexa appreciates the dedication and caring shown by her teachers on a daily basis. “Everyone is nice and helpful,” she smiled. Though she excels in various subjects, the ambitious Middle Schooler has recently decided to pursue a career in medicine. “I’m going to be an orthodontist,” she said. “I just decided last week!” Alexa enjoys playing basketball and other sports in her free time, and she also enjoys writing about fashion for The Adelphi Oracle. Alexa has some advice for her fellow Adelphians seeking to attain success. “You have to be good and always do your assignments,” she said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Berios said, “I am very proud of Alexa and her accomplishments! She has been a wonderful student and friend to many of her peers. She works hard and always tries her best. She is thriving and I am extremely happy to watch her succeed as well as receive the recognition she deserves!”
Upper School Student of the Month Svetlana has always taken her academics very seriously and is a shining example of how hard work can pay off. “I work hard and always try to achieve my goals,” she said. “I make sure to pay attention in each class.” Svetlana, who pens the popular “A Moment of Science” column for The Adelphi Oracle, hopes to pursue a career in medicine, either as an ENT surgeon or dentist. “I want to do something hands-on so I can make a direct impact on my patients,” she explained. Svetlana is also a talented artist who specializes in cartoon art. “I’m still drawing. I enjoy creating characters,” she smiled. At Adelphi, Svetlana enjoys participating in all the different activities, from Field Day to Spirit Days. She attends Adelphi with her younger brother and three cousins, creating a true sense of family within the Academy’s walls. “We study together,” she said. “I get to have help from family in different classes, which is nice.” Her older brother Isaac graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 2022, and her father served as the commencement speaker. Svetlana was in attendance and came away feeling inspired. “It was an interesting experience,” she said. “It was inspiring to see my father and my brother both give speeches about how they got to where they are today.” So, is she thinking about one day serving as valedictorian for her class? “Right now I’m concentrating on working hard and getting good grades,” she laughed.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Wong said, “Svetlana takes each assignment seriously and always gives maximum effort in class. She is knowledgeable, cooperative and kind and exemplifies what it means to be an Adelphian. I am very proud of her for receiving this honor.”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s September 2022 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Mekhrojbek is a big fan of the Brooklyn Nets and uses his knowledge of the team’s affairs to pen the popular “Nothin’ But Nets” column for The Adelphi Oracle. “I like being a sportswriter,” he said. “Just like playing a sport, you improve by practice.” With regard to his favorite team’s chances this season following the firing of Head Coach Steve Nash, Mekhrojbek said he is “cautiously optimistic.” At Adelphi, Mekhrojbek strives to be a good leader on and off the court. “It’s important on any team to trust in your teammates and help out in any way you can. The same is true for the classroom,” he said. Though he aspires to pursue a degree in business administration, Mekhrojbek hopes to remain active in athletics. “I love dodgeball and karate and I enjoy going to the gym to get fit,” he said.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Foronda said, “Mekhrojbek is a promising athlete. He embodies everything a good athlete does. He participates in all areas of Adelphi student life, not just athletics. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for him!”
Student-Artist of the Month Jenna has shown incredible growth as an artist during her time at Adelphi. “I used to only like pink, but now I like all the colors,” she explained. “Artists use all the colors so I am using them all now too!’ Among her favorite subjects to draw are rainbows, stars and circles. “I’ve also mastered drawing dinosaurs and robots, and I’m trying to learn a unicorn,” she said. When she grows up, Jenna plans to turn her passion for drawing into a business. “I’m going to sell my pictures,” she said. “Some are going to be $10 and some will be $20. It will be perfect.” Her advice to young artists who hope to attain “Of the Month” honors is simple, but important. “Keep drawing and study hard,” she said.
Mr. Bates noted, “Jenna is a hard worker. She always participates in class activities. She loves to share her work and encourages her classmates to ask questions about her work or the work of others. I’m very proud of Jenna.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for September: Jose, Alexa, Svetlana, Mekhrojbek and Jenna!
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