A senior at the esteemed Academy of Notre Dame, Sydney Batts boasts an impressive array of academic accolades that highlight her commitment to excellence and leadership. These honors include being recognized on the High/Distinguished Honor Roll, receiving the National African-American Recognition Award, and achieving a National Spanish Exam Gold Medal. Sydney also serves as vice president of the National Honor Society and has been honored with the Widener University High School Leadership Award and the TeamUp Philly Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. She also earned a National Spanish Exam Silver Medal. Demonstrating her academic prowess, Sydney received a perfect score at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Region 1A Meet for her Independent Research Project. Additionally, she is taking college-level courses at Villanova University as part of the Diocese’s Scholar Program. Recently, she clinched first place in the highly competitive Delaware County Law Day High School Essay Competition. Her extensive involvement in extracurricular activities at the Academy of Notre Dame includes serving as a Student Council Representative, presiding over the Black Student Union, participating as a Varsity-A Mathlete (where she finished fourth overall in the Western League), engaging in Campus Ministry, and co-editing the Looking Glass, the Academy’s academic journal.
Main Line Media News: You were chosen to take college courses at Villanova University under the Diocesan Scholar Program. What has been your most interesting experience at Villanova?
Main Line Media News: You were first in the Delaware County Law Day High School Essay Competition. Tell us a little about your essay.
Sydney Batts: My essay focused on the adaptability of the U.S. Constitution and how it has enabled Americans to continually strive toward a more inclusive and just society. While the founding fathers did not originally consider all people in their vision, they structured the Constitution to evolve with expanding rights, now encompassing all Americans. I reflected on the paradox of feeling grateful for this adaptability while wishing inclusivity had been part of the nation’s founding vision.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the most meaningful activities during your participating in Campus Ministry. What do you feel is the most important thing you have learned and/or gained from participating in Campus Ministry?
Sydney Batts: In Campus Ministry, the most meaningful activity for me has been helping select the groups we pray for during our weekly community prayers. For me, knowing someone is praying for you is one of the most comforting feelings. Leading our community in intentional prayer for those who are struggling has been incredibly powerful. Being part of Campus Ministry has taught me that people often carry unseen burdens, and that making them feel seen is vital in showing that they are not alone in their struggles.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about your independent research project, the modeling and simulation of Human rotavirus with cell membranes to identify novel drug targets — you received a perfect score on this project at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Region 1A Meet, achieved first place at the state meet, and presented this work to experts in the field at the MERCURY Conference for undergraduate computational chemistry last summer. What was the most interesting thing you learned during your research?
Sydney Batts: Through this project, I learned the critical role of computational modeling in understanding complex biological interactions. Using Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold2, I modeled the structure of NSP4, a rotavirus protein responsible for severe dehydration. This highly confident model is currently being used in molecular dynamics simulations for the project’s second phase. The most fascinating aspect was discovering that NSP4’s unique actions in the cell have never been observed before. Creating the protein model has enabled the simulation of these interactions, allowing for the visualization of abstract processes that are key to developing effective treatments for rotavirus, which still claims 200,000 young lives yearly in developing countries, where malnutrition makes current vaccines ineffective. I am deeply grateful to contribute to research with such life-saving potential and cannot wait to see the results of the simulations.
Main Line Media News: What was the most interesting thing you learned about leadership at the HOBY Youth Leadership Program – PA East that you attended in June 2023?
Sydney Batts: The most interesting thing I learned about leadership at HOBY PA East is that leadership is not about a single person taking charge but rather about recognizing and combining everyone’s unique strengths to make a difference. At HOBY, we supported each other and appreciated each other’s talents, which has shaped how I approach leadership within my own community.
Main Line Media News: You initiated a philanthropic Giving Tree program benefiting students at LaSalle Academy in Philadelphia. What inspired you to start this program? What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating this program, and how did you meet this challenge?
Sydney Batts: My inspiration for starting the Giving Tree program came from a similar tradition at my church back in Houston. When I moved here two years ago, I wanted to bring a piece of home with me while addressing a need in my new community. The biggest challenge was organizing everything while I was sick for two weeks, but thanks to Ms. Tully and my mom, we pivoted to ensure we could help the students at LaSalle Academy. Hand-making the tags was time-consuming but knowing that more kids would receive a gift at Christmas made it worth every effort.
Main Line Media News: You participate in the National Honor Society Peer Tutoring program. What has been the most meaningful thing you have learned as a peer tutor?
Sydney Batts: The most meaningful lesson I have learned as a peer tutor is that how information is presented can make all the difference in understanding. Every student has a unique learning style, so adapting explanations to fit their preferred learning method often leads to breakthroughs. When tutoring (or even studying myself), I try to align with the learner’s style to help them grasp the material more effectively.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?
Sydney Batts: My favorite book is Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly. The story of these remarkable Black women and their groundbreaking achievements, despite the obstacles they faced, inspires me to pursue my own dreams relentlessly. Whenever I feel discouraged, reminding myself of the foundation set by the women who came before me always pushes me to give everything 110 percent.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
Originally Published: November 11, 2024 at 9:51 AM EST
Initiative I participated in during my freshman year here at the Academy of Notre Dame. I realized how vital support systems are for students who may not have access to essential resources, especially during the holiday season. The biggest challenge was coordinating donations and ensuring transparency, so I organized a team of classmates to spread awareness and handle logistics, allowing us to successfully gather and distribute gifts to those in need. The overwhelming support we received reinforced my belief in the power of community and collaboration.
**Main Line Media News:** That’s truly inspiring, Sydney. It sounds like you’ve made a significant impact both academically and in your community. As you look forward to graduation, what are your aspirations for the future?
**Sydney Batts:** I’m really passionate about combining my interests in science and social justice. My goal is to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, focusing on developing affordable healthcare technologies for underserved populations. I believe everyone deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of their circumstances, and I’m excited to contribute to that change. Ultimately, I hope to engage in research that can save lives and create programs that ensure those innovations reach the communities that need them the most.
**Main Line Media News:** With your dedication and leadership skills, there’s no doubt you’ll achieve great things. Thank you, Sydney, for sharing your experiences and insights with us!
**Sydney Batts:** Thank you for the opportunity! I appreciate it.
