Get to Know September’s Students of the Month!
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s September 2023 Students of the Month (clockwise from left): Isabella (Lower School), Annamaria (Middle School), Sebastiana (Upper School), Eliam (Scholar-Athlete) and Diana (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. Isabella (Lower School), Annamaria (Middle School), Sebastiana (Upper School), Eliam (Scholar-Athlete) and Diana (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 Isabella was thrilled to learn that she had been selected for the first award of the school year. “I’m very excited!” she smiled. “Last year I waited and waited and then finally got it. It definitely feels good to get it early.” Though she’s already earned this prestigious honor, Isabella knows the importance of keeping up the good work all year long. “It’s important to stay good all year because you can get a lot of awards at the awards banquet!” she acknowledged. Isabella already knows what she wants to be when she grows up, and she owes much of her inspiration to Adelphi. “I want to be a Pre-K teacher,” she said. “I’m going to teach kids how to volunteer and help others at an early age, just like we do here. In fact I’m going to come back and teach here!” Isabella is also a talented artist who enjoys creating dragons and paper dolls. At home she also constructs her very own bracelets, she revealed. Isabella has some smart advice for her fellow Adelphians who seek to attain “Of the Month” honors. “Don’t be loud in the halls, always do your homework and stay in dress code so you don’t lose points for your House,” she said. Already displaying leadership qualities at a young age, Isabella said she can’t wait until she is old enough to participate in Adelphi’s many extracurricular activities. Might an application to the Student Advisory Board be in her future? “Oh, yes!” she exclaimed.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Holman said, “Isabella brings a positive energy to the classroom and always encourages and supports her classmates. She is a natural leader and certainly leads by example. Congratulations on receiving this very special honor!”
Middle School Student of the Month Annamaria said it is very exciting to have been chosen first to receive this prestigious award. “It feels good, like I’m setting a good example for everyone,” she said. Annamaria aspires to become a professional photographer when she gets older. “I just love taking photos,” she said. “I like to explore different angles and lighting.” Her favorite part of attending Adelphi is connecting with her classmates and forming friendships. “We’re all like family,” she said. For Annamaria this is especially true, as she attends Adelphi with her twin brother and younger sister. “It’s nice to be with them,” she said. “We help each other.” In her spare time, Annamaria enjoys creating colorful collages to showcase her creativity. She also enjoys baking and cooking for her family. “I recently made mozzarella sticks with a Cheeto flavoring,” she said. “Everyone loved them!” Her advice for her fellow Adelphians is simple yet vital. “Always be respectful,” she nodded.
Homeroom teacher Mr. Cook said, “I was immediately impressed by Annamaria’s skill at reading poetry aloud, but as time went on I grew to be just as impressed by her maturity. She’s diligent and level-headed at an age when those are extremely rare qualities. Congratulations to her on achieving this well-deserved honor.”
Upper School Student of the Month Sebastiana enjoys being an Adelphian. “It’s like being part of a family,” she said. She has become involved in a number of extracurricular activities during her time at Adelphi, including Journalism Club and the Theater Arts Program. Her favorite activity, however, is Weight Training, which meets weekly on Wednesdays. “It’s like getting a free gym membership!” she smiled. “It’s a good place to work out and learn about the different muscle groups.” Featuring a wide array of exercise machines and loose weights, there is always something to learn about inside Adelphi’s weight room. “It’s a great environment. We all help each other to stay in shape,” Sebastiana said. A talented actor and singer, Sebastiana hopes to pursue her love of theater professionally one day. “I could see myself on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ for sure,” she giggled. In college, she plans to pursue a degree in history or psychology, which she will use to become a teacher until she gets her big break in Hollywood. The Class of 2023 member has some important advice for her fellow Adelphians. “Soak it in,” she said. “Get as much information as you can and pay attention because it’s all very interesting.”
Homeroom teacher Ms. Isufi said, “Sebastiana has a radiant smile and is very helpful to her peers in class. She brings positivity to the classroom, new ideas and grasps concepts very well. I am very proud that she received this Student of the Month recognition — an amazing way to start the school year!”
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s September 2023 “Of the Month” award recipients welcomed parents and guests for a special congratulatory celebration.
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Eliam is planning to turn his love of animals into a career by becoming a veterinarian. “I’m going to help animals of all kinds,” he said. “Even a lion or tiger can be helped with training.” For now, Eliam is excited to be caring for his very first pet. “I got a hamster,” he smiled. “It’s good practice!” Speaking of practice, Eliam is a gifted athlete who trains regularly to keep in shape. “I’m training to become a wrestler,” he explained. “I do 10 pullups, crunches and sit-ups every other day and I ride an exercise bike for 10 minutes as well.” Eliam recognizes the importance of athletics. “It gets you fit and it can get you into college. Sports can get you a scholarship,” he said. When it comes to setting goals and achieving them on the field or in the classroom, Eliam has some sage advice. “Play like a champion!” he said.
Physical Education instructor Mr. Biale said, “Eliam is a remarkable student and athlete who excels both in the classroom and on the court. He is not only an excellent volleyball player, but, more importantly, a strong leader and a good friend to his classmates. He deserves this award wholeheartedly.”
Student-Artist of the Month Diana is excited to receive this prestigious award once again. “It’s an honor,” Diana said. “It’s so amazing because I received this award last year and here I am again.” Diana is an extremely talented artist whose work has been featured in Adelphi’s award-winning art journal, The Adelphian. At the time of this interview, Diana was preparing a piece to be featured in the Academy’s annual Fall Auction of Fine Art, Cigar Night and Cocktail Reception. “I’ve spent about 10 hours on it already and I still have more to go,” Diana said. At Adelphi, Diana enjoys learning from the teachers and making new friends. “I like getting to know the teachers and all the new students, plus I enjoy all the new electives each year,” Diana said. In college, Diana hopes to pursue a degree in psychology with an emphasis on art. “I’d like to include my artistic abilities in my career,” Diana explained. “I’m thinking of pursuing art therapy.”
Art Instructor Ms. Klansky noted, “Since day one, it has been apparent that Diana is a natural artist. Diana has been prepared for every assignment with creative ideas that seem to flow effortlessly. On top of being an incredibly talented artist, Diana provides a warmth to the classroom, which inspires the other students as well as myself. I am always excited to peek into Diana’s sketchbook and see the creative nuggets inside. I am looking forward to watching Diana continue to flourish and grow in art class.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding Students of the Month for September: Isabella, Annamaria, Sebastiana, Eliam and Diana!
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.