Get to Know February’s Students of the Month!
February’s Students of the Month were joined by their families for a very special assembly in their honor.
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s prestigious “Student of the Month” program continued with a special assembly inside the John Lockwood Auditorium Theatre to recognize five outstanding students who demonstrated extraordinary effort during the month of February. Zaria (Lower School), Raneem (Middle School), Isaac (Upper School), Michael (Student-Artist) and Eduard (Scholar-Athlete) were each recognized in front of the entire Adelphi community and received official certificates signed by Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos. They 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 Zaria already knows what she wants to do when she grows up. “I want to take care of all the animals in the rain forest,” she said. The young Adelphian is interested in science and enjoys learning about volcanoes. She is also an accomplished athlete who enjoys track and relay races. Zaria participates in track-and-field competitions on Staten Island and, at the time of this writing, had just come off an impressive second-place finish at a regional competition. “I like sports,” she smiled. “I can also ice skate without holding the wall!” She said her favorite event at Adelphi so far has been ’50s Day. “I got to wear my poodle skirt!” she said. Zaria was happy to receive this prestigious honor and said she thinks she knows how she earned it. “I listened to Ms. Smith and did all my homework,” she smiled.
Lower School faculty member Ms. Smith said, “Zaria is incredibly diligent and compassionate. She is always eager and willing to practice new learning strategies. She happily offers guidance to her classmates and loves to share her ideas and interpretations. Zaria is very thoughtful and kind, as she makes others’ feelings a priority. She is a model student and I am honored to recommend her for the Student of the Month award.”
Middle School Student of the Month Raneem knew what she wanted to do with her life from a very early age. “I want to be a pediatrician,” she emphasized. “I’ve always wanted to. When I was a kid, I used to play doctor with my stuffed animals.” Raneem said she is inspired by her own pediatrician. “He’s the best. I love how he helps kids. I want to be like him when I grow up,” she said. At Adelphi, Raneem is an accomplished member of the Theater Arts Program and has starred in several productions. “It’s like my thing,” she smiled. “I do it to have fun.” Most recently, she starred as Jan in the winter 2019 production – a character she enjoyed portraying because, she said, “she was the nice one in the group.” She said she is definitely looking forward to performing in the spring 2019 musical revue. Raneem enjoys studying math and is teaching herself to play the piano in her free time. She prides herself on her work ethic and is grateful to have received this “Of the Month” recognition. “I’m proud of myself. I like working hard and setting myself up for a good future,” she said.
House Morrill House Master Ms. Alvarracin said, “Raneem is a very sweet girl who is always there for her peers and works very hard. One of the greatest qualities that she has is that she never gives up. I am very proud of her for receiving this Student of the Month award!”
Upper School Student of the Month Isaac has a clear vision of his future; he’s going to become an ophthalmologist. He credits his father, a dentist, for inspiring him to enter the medical field. “I look up to him,” he said. This year, Isaac is serving his first term as a member of Adelphi Academy’s Student Advisory Board, an honor he takes very seriously. “I’m grateful for the experience to continue growing as a leader,” he said. An accomplished musician, Isaac shines on piano and practices regularly, albeit at his own speed. “I play for myself, mostly, for my own satisfaction,” he said. His personal goal is to master Claude Debussy’s classical piece “Clair de Lune.” Isaac is also a member of the Theater Arts Program at Adelphi and has starred in a number of productions; most recently he portrayed Roger in the winter 2019 production. He said he is comfortable playing any role and always does his best to make his characters memorable. Isaac offers some valuable advice to students who are looking to succeed at Adelphi. “Don’t waste time. Every day you can learn something new and improve,” he said.
House Lockwood House Master Ms. Giacchino said, “Isaac is a friendly student who always strives to do well in all that he does. He has always made an effort to be involved in school activities. Isaac helps run Brain Games, is part of our Theater Arts Program and is a member of the Student Advisory Board. I am very proud of Isaac for receiving the Student of the Month award for February and I know that he will continue to do well throughout the school year.”
Congratulations to Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s February Students of the Month!
Student-Artist of the Month Michael was excited to be selected for this prestigious honor. “It feels really good. I didn’t expect it but I’m very proud,” he said. As an artist, Michael said he mostly enjoys drawing and painting scenery but does not shy away from other artistic projects or assignments. “I like a challenge,” he said. “And I always accomplish it.” One challenge he recalls is a collage he was asked to create in art class that centered around the word “time.” He used various images designed to show growth and change. “Ms. Fregara liked it. She said it was nice,” he recalled. Michael is also a talented performing artist who made his Adelphi theatrical debut in the winter 2019 production. “It was actually pretty cool,” he said. Though he is undecided as to his career aspirations, he enjoys studying science and excels in chemistry. His advice to fellow Adelphian artists who may be hoping to receive future “Of the Month” recognition is simple. “Put in more effort in art class and, if you’re in the play, learn your lines – no matter how big your role is,” he said.
Art Instructor Ms. Fregara said, “Michael did a terrific job playing the role of Eugene in our winter production. He always participates and shows a full amount of effort with all his artwork. I am very proud to honor Michael as Artist of the Month for February.”
Scholar-Athlete of the Month Eduard is looking forward to pursuing a career as a pharmacist upon graduating Adelphi Academy in June. “It’s exciting,” he said. “I like chemistry and I already know where I’m going for school, so that’s good.” Eduard will be attending LIU Brooklyn in the fall, where he also intends to join the LIU Blackbirds soccer team. “I’ve met the coach already. He’s a good guy,” he said. Eduard, who was an accomplished soccer player growing up, said he is ready for the challenges that await him in college. “It’s going to be a lot, but I’ll try to manage everything,” he said. At Adelphi, Eduard has enjoyed acting as a coach of sorts for the littlest Adelphians, especially when his Lower School Mentoring sessions take place during their physical education time. “I always try to set a good example for them. In gym I show them about stretching and warming up so they don’t get injured. I think they see me as a sort of gentle giant,” he smiled.
Adelphi Middle/Upper Soccer Club Moderator Dr. Jacome said, “Eduard is so passionate about sports. When it comes to sports, Eduard puts his heart and soul out on the field. I am very pleased that he is being recognized as Athlete of the Month.”
Congratulations once again to Adelphi’s outstanding “Students of the Month” for February: Zaria, Raneem, Isaac, Michael and Eduard!
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 two 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