Balsam Motan of William W. Bodine High School for Internal Affairs, represents the very best of what it means to be a senior in the School District of Philadelphia. Her story is one of purpose, preparation, and a deep sense of responsibility to both her community and her future.
As Student Body President and Historian for the Citywide Student Government, Balsam leads with intention and integrity. She understands that leadership is not about title, but about service. That belief shows up consistently in her actions, whether she is representing student voices across the District or organizing hands-on environmental initiatives. Her commitment to environmental stewardship goes far beyond awareness. She has led river cleanup excursions and designed and deployed a self-built floating wetland in the Delaware River Basin, blending science, advocacy, and action in ways that leave a tangible impact on the city.
In the classroom, Balsam brings the same discipline and excellence. She earned an exceptionally high score on the AP U.S. History exam and is currently enrolled in rigorous International Baccalaureate coursework in English, Biology, and Math. Since her freshman year, she has maintained Honor Roll status, demonstrating not only intellectual ability but consistency, focus, and resilience. Her academic record reflects a student who embraces challenge and rises to meet it.
Beyond school, Balsam has pursued an extraordinary range of professional experiences that reflect both maturity and versatility. She has interned at InLiquid Gallery, gaining experience in marketing, networking, media, and event hosting, and participated in the Bloomberg Arts Internship. She has worked in art education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and in STEM and history education at the Independence Seaport Museum. There, she serves not only as a River Ambassador but also as a dock hand, supporting daily operations, managing safety and rescue responsibilities, assisting with boat rentals, and ensuring positive experiences for visitors. Across these roles, she has demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and a strong sense of responsibility well beyond her years.
Balsam’s ability to connect with others further sets her apart. Fluent in English and Arabic and conversational in Portuguese, she brings cultural awareness and inclusivity into every space she enters. As a student at Bodine High School for International Affairs, she balances her academic and professional commitments while also competing as a varsity athlete in cross country, tennis, and badminton—an additional testament to her discipline, resilience, and time management.
What makes Balsam’s journey especially compelling is how intentionally it aligns with her future goals. Her leadership in student government has provided firsthand experience in governance, advocacy, and representing public interests, directly preparing her for a Political Science major and a Pre-Law track. Her success in AP and IB coursework has strengthened the analytical thinking, critical reading, and communication skills essential for advanced study and legal practice. Her internships, particularly those focused on communications, public engagement, and networking, have further refined the professionalism and confidence that will serve her well in any field she chooses.
Balsam Motan embodies the ideal senior: a high-achieving scholar, a thoughtful and effective leader, and a deeply engaged citizen. Her accomplishments reflect not only talent, but vision, discipline, and heart. In honoring Balsam as December 2025 Senior of the Month, we celebrate a young leader who is already shaping a brighter future for her community—and who is exceptionally well prepared to thrive in the next chapter of her journey.
We asked Balsam our favorite list of questions:
Why do you think you were nominated as Senior of the Month?
I think I was nominated as Senior of the Month because of my involvement within not only my school, but my community as a whole. In school I serve as student body president, where I help run fundraisers. Since my freshman year I’ve helped plan, host, and manage our biggest assembly of the year known as “International Day”. I participated in sports at my school such as Cross Country, Varsity Tennis, and Varsity Badminton. Outside of school, I work at an art gallery. I connect with my community by helping host events at my job, allowing me to meet and learn from artists in the city. I also helped educate younger kids by working as a camp counselor during the summer where I helped teach art, helping create fun and engaging activities. I’ve helped in STEM education at middle schools using hands-on learning. I also created my own lesson plans to teach kids during the summer about the history of the Delaware river and environmental science through the Independence Seaport Museum through the River Ambassador program. These are just some of the ways I’ve been involved within my community and why I think I was recognized and given the honor of being Senior of the Month.
You were nominated by Dr. Brown. Explain your relationship to him/her?
I was nominated by my principal, Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown joined the Bodine community half way through the last school year. Since then I can say he’s made a huge impact on Bodine. One of the things I admire most about his leadership is how he listens to students. Many of us feel comfortable with sharing our concerns with him and he really makes us feel like our voices are heard. One thing I can say is unique about his style of leadership is how present he is within the building. On an average day you can see him over a dozen times within the building. Whether it’s saying “good morning” in the hallway or him reminding us that the bell had rung, you can always count on seeing Dr. Brown around the building!
What is one thing you’d like to share about yourself that most people don’t know about you?
One thing I’d like to share about myself that most people don’t know is how much I love nature. I love kayaking, it’s one of my favorite hobbies. I hope to one day live in Finland as it’s known “as the land with a thousand lakes”. I really enjoy hiking and being outdoors. I’ve also combined kayaking and my love for the environment by doing river clean up excursions. I helped build a floating wetland with the Independence Seaport Museum in order to promote filtration and biodiversity in the Delaware River Basin.
What do you enjoy most when you are not at school?
When I’m not in school, I love hanging out with my sister and friends. Our favorite way to bond is over food, leading us to constantly trying new restaurants. I love Philly and I wholeheartedly believe we are one of the best cities in the country; especially when it comes to food. On a warm weekend you could find me down at Citizen’s Bank Park, cheering on the Phillies. I love all things Philly and love being in the city!
How did you choose your high school? What is the best thing about attending Bodine?
When I give tours to incoming freshmen and their parents, the first thing I talk about is the community within our school. People at Bodine are so welcoming and friendly it’s impossible to not have a friend here. From the moment I walk in the door, you can find me striking up a conversation with either a staff member or one of my peers. During the school selection process, I knew I wanted to experience a tight knit community that showed up for each other. After shadowing at Bodine I knew it was the place for me. The kindness and empathy extends past the students alone, it’s something you feel within the building. I chose Bodine knowing I would meet some of my closest, life long friends.
What is one thing that the School District could do to improve our service to students?
I believe in providing discretionary funding for school events. As Class President, my biggest goal this month was fundraising for our school’s Winter Fest. It’s really hard having to coordinate fundraisers regularly in order to treat students to well deserved fun. Being understaffed and underfunded ends up placing more strain on teachers and student leaders as they have to take on more responsibility in order to provide support for students. Students at Bodine work really hard, excelling on standardized testing and when it comes to attendance. I believe that making school more fun and enjoyable will give students more of an incentive to succeed when they know they are being recognized for their hard work!
Balsam, we are so excited for you – best of luck in the college and career of your dreams!