蜜桃传媒

On October 13 to October 15, Adelphi celebrated its seventh annual听Spirit Weekend. Among the many activities held, one that has become a beloved tradition in itself is the naming of the Prestigious Panthers and Spirit Court.

The Prestigious Panthers and Spirit Court designations officially debuted at Spirit Weekend in 2018. In 2016, Adelphi once again named a Homecoming King and a Queen to rule over the Homecoming Court. In 2017, the Homecoming Court became the Spirit Court, and听in 2018, the more gender-inclusive Prestigious Panthers took the crown, so to speak (the crowns have been replaced with plaques and sashes), from the king and queen.

The names may have changed, but the principle has stayed the same: recognizing and celebrating students who represent the best of Adelphi in terms of academic excellence, creativity, global awareness, community involvement and Panther pride.

Prestigious Panther Khamkay Inthavong said, 鈥淪erving as a Prestigious Panther is about fostering a culture of open dialogue and improvement. It means being a beacon to those who aren’t seen or represented as much and providing an outlet where every voice can be heard and where we can work together to better our campus.”

鈥淚 believe applying for and competing for the Prestigious Panther Award help students develop essential career readiness skills such as self-presentation, communication and prioritization,” said R. Sentwali Bakari, PhD, vice president for student affairs. 鈥淚t can also encourage students to reflect on their experiences and articulate the impact of their leadership experience on campus and within the greater community.”

After postponements due to rain鈥攁nd much anticipation鈥攖he Prestigious Panthers and Spirit Court were finally announced on October 15.

Prestigious Panthers

• Adam Ayroso听is a听biology听major in the听Joint Degree Program听with SUNY Upstate Norton College of Medicine and a member of the Adelphi听Honors College. He is on the executive boards of the Honors College and the Biology Club, an Honors College Biology Summer Research Fellow, a peer academic tutor in the Center for Academic Support and Enrichment, and a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society.
• Sophie Breslow听is a听social work听major and in the Tri Delta sorority, a听Bridges to Adelphi peer mentor, a National Society of Collegiate Scholars inductee and a member of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society.
• Khamkay Inthavong听is majoring in management听补苍诲 international studies听补苍诲 minoring in听Spanish听补苍诲听human resource management. She is also the public relations officer for听Levermore Global Scholars听补苍诲 a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Her Campus.
• Lucia Lu听is a biology major who is a resident assistant, chemistry lab teacher’s assistant, and Global Medical Brigades public relations officer.

Spirit Court

• Kennie Dionisio听is a听computer science听major with a minor in听communications. He is president of the Class of 2024, co-features editor of听The Delphian, a听Jaggar Community Fellows听intern at North Shore TV, a peer assistant leader and a commuter assistant, and president of the Asian Students Intercultural Alliance, among other activities.
• Callum Ferguson听is an听ethics and public policy听major and Levermore Global Scholar. He is a recipient of the 2023 Bhis茅 Global Learning India听study trip and a resident assistant.
• Melissa Garber听is a听psychology听major in the Honors College with a听minor in theatre tech and design. Her activities include serving as vice president of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, event coordinator of the Psychology Club and a peer assistant leader.
• Jolisa John-Lynch听is a听health sciences major听with a minor in听African, Black and Carribean studies. She is president of Black Students United, a peer assistant leader and a commuter assistant, an assistant in the Office of Residential Life and Housing, and a volunteer for the Panther Pantry.
• Amanda Pincus听is a psychology major in the听Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP)听补苍诲 a minor in child and family studies. She is president of the Panhellenic Council, president of Omicron Delta Kappa and a National Residence Hall Honorary.
• Michelle Sarker听is a health sciences major with a minor in听marketing. She is president of the South Asian Student Association, a peer assistant leader and a commuter assistant, a Leader of the听First-Year Community Action Program, a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Society, and a Levermore Global Scholar.

鈥淪erving as a Prestigious Panther is about fostering a culture of open dialogue and improvement,” said Inthavong. 鈥淚t means being a beacon to those who aren’t seen or represented as much and providing an outlet where every voice can be heard and where we can work together to better our campus.”

Ferguson said, 鈥淪pirit Court to me means representing my communities and encouraging others to do what they desire.”

Bakari said both recognitions are important because they validate students’ leadership development and commitment to being involved and engaged in the vitality of campus life. 鈥淚t acknowledges their contributions to the campus community, which elevates their visibility, reputation and academic and professional success, thus making them exceptional representatives of 蜜桃传媒 and the clubs, organizations and diverse communities they represent.”