Ashley Mo

“Even if I have one bad morning, that doesn’t mean I have to waste the rest of my day. With writing, I get writer’s block sometimes, but [my mindset is] that if something I wrote doesn’t come out well, I can always go back and edit it. I try to move on, and who knows? Maybe the next part will be better,” Sebastian Dionne (12) said.

A spiral tower brimming with trap-ridden chambers and magical creatures. A cyborg-esque robot on a quest to navigate a distant planet. Whether delving into the realms of fantasy or Sci-Fi, Sebastian Dionne (12) dedicates countless hours to dissecting the art of worldbuilding across diverse literary genres. Today, he continues to ponder one lingering question: how do authors transport readers to entirely separate worlds using nothing but words?

Sebastian’s curiosity and love of reading began in his childhood, when he often found himself losing track of time while flipping through pages. Despite his heavy workload, he makes sure to allocate a few hours for reading every day, whether on car rides or during passing periods at school.

“As a kid, I would always get consumed by books and [would] lie there for hours reading, and that’s something that I’ve always been able to do,” Sebastian said. “I’ve always liked those moments in novels where everything comes together. In a mystery novel, where everything is revealed in the end, [my favorite moment is] when you realize, ‘Oh, that finally makes sense now.'”

A seasoned fantasy reader, Sebastian finds that reading allows him to enrich his vocabulary with a multitude of unique words that he tries to incorporate into jokes and conversations with friends. While Sebastian often displays his creative and humorous side, he knows when to be serious and lend a helping hand, qualities that close friend Dilip Jayavant (12) appreciates.

“Sebastian is a very fun person to be around, but he’s also very emotionally aware of things,” Dilip said. “He’s down to have a good time, but he also won’t hold something back. He’s always willing to help.”

Hoping to explore new genres, Sebastian signed up for a Sci-Fi-related book for Recreate Reading, a program run by Harker librarians in which students choose a piece of literature to collectively discuss with other readers. Though more accustomed to fantasy, Sebastian found that the character development in the novel made it an engrossing, unpredictable read.

“The book we read [had] a really cool perspective on humanity,” Sebastian said. “The main character is half-robot, half-human, but not really a cyborg. Because of that, all the other characters have to think, ‘Should I treat this person like a normal human, or should I treat them like a robot?’ It was cool to see the relationships that were developed [between characters] throughout the book.”

Sebastian’s growing love for reading also ignited a newfound interest in writing. Given his family’s STEM background, his parents were initially surprised by his preference for more creative pursuits. With their support, Sebastian enrolled in a fiction writing program at Stanford the summer following his junior year with the goal of learning more about how to compose well-crafted stories and characters.

“My sister had gone [to college] for engineering, and when I realized that it wasn’t my cup of tea, I was lost,” Sebastian said. “Then I found books. It’s never too late to change your path and get your life back [on track]. The day Stanford sent letters to people about their summer programs, [my family] and I were looking through them and saw that there was a fiction writing course. That’s when I knew that it was my chance to switch [to something I liked].”

At the writing camp, students gathered outdoors on a lawn, often sitting and chatting about a short story or peer-reviewing written work. Sebastian enjoyed the close bond between participants as well as the serene atmosphere of the class, which allowed him to think and participate more freely. Through this program, he realized the importance of finding and dedicating time to his genuine interests rather than what others think he should pursue. Close friend Maggie Yan (12) values his mature mindset and personality, especially surrounding his decision to pursue writing.

 “Sebastian [is] one of the people that has, in the time I’ve known him, grown the most I’ve seen anyone grow [in] the span of three, four years,” Maggie said. “Ever since [quarantine], he decided to try and take his life into his own hands. He’s become a lot more confident and motivated, and he’s really found his interests [and] passions. I’m really proud of him for that.”

In addition to gaining confidence, Sebastian maintains a resilient “don’t give up” mindset that he applies to both his writing and daily life. After reflecting on certain moments where he lost hope after encountering setbacks, Sebastian decided to start making a conscious effort to respond more positively to challenges.

“Even if I have one bad morning, that doesn’t mean I have to waste the rest of my day,” Sebastian said. “With writing, I get writer’s block sometimes, but [my mindset is] that if something I wrote doesn’t come out well, I can always go back and edit it. I try to move on, and who knows? Maybe the next part will be better.”

From writing to reading, Sebastian spent his high school journey discovering his true passions and developing a resolute, determined mindset. His aspirations extend beyond personal growth: he hopes to leave a positive impression on everyone who interacts with him, whether it be through his actions, his infectious humor or simply his presence.

“Sebastian and I banter back and forth, often jokingly,” upper school biology teacher Dr. Thomas Artiss said. “Years from now what I will remember most about Sebastian is the way he makes you feel happy. He is always smiling, always joking and always upbeat. He’s the kind of person you want to be around because he makes you feel better, all the time.”