Name: Jacob Balis
What do you do to represent Penn High School and how are you a role model for future grades? I try my best to be a positive example for others. I try to always do the right thing. It is very important for me to be the best that I can be. I am a role model for the future of Penn by exemplifying the right actions and the right choices to make as a Penn student-athlete on and off the field.
What does it mean to be a Penn athlete? Being a Penn athlete means hard work and dedication. It is something you have to be 100 percent committed to. For me, being the greatest is the only option and that is what we are always aiming for here at Penn.
What do you love about playing the sports you play? I love the team bonding experiences. It is very important to have people that you can trust and rely on in life and the sports that I play allow for great opportunities in that department.
How do you become the best possible athlete? Endless amounts of effort. I look at myself in the mirror every day and it’s never good enough. There is always something to improve on.
Why did you start playing sports? My family is heavily involved in them. When I started playing, it was instant love. It has always been what I enjoy most in my life.
What is your go-to pre-game meal? Peanut butter and a jelly bagel with a granola bar. 2-3 hours before the game.
Who is your biggest role model and Why? Definitely my dad. He motivates me every day to be the best I can be in life and in sports. He has been with me every step of the way. Plus, he is a very successful person and I strive to be like him.
What traits do you believe you need to become a leader? You need to be able to lead vocally, but more importantly, you need to be able to lead by example. People need to look at you and think, “this is the guy I want to be like someday. He does everything the right way.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned through sports? To be the best takes an indescribable amount of effort and work. It can only be achieved by those who are absolutely willing, and I believe that I fit into that category.
What makes you special and how have you worked to get to that point? What separates me from others is my drive. Nobody will outwork me. when I step on the field, I activate a mindset to be the best.
