Stepping Outside His Comfort Zone

A year ago, as a junior, Sebastian Morrison stepped out of his comfort zone and literally plunged into a new activity: the De La Salle Swim Team.

Although Sebastian was already involved in cross country and track and field, faculty member and DLS Swim Team coach Brad Robinson encouraged him to give swimming a try.

Robinson said Sebastian quickly demonstrated the same determination in the pool that he brings to his other activities.

“Sebastian is one of the most conscientious and hardest-working swimmers on the team. He always wants to finish whatever has been assigned to his lane. He brings that same attitude into the weight room, and it carries over into the classroom as well.

“Sebastian expects the best from himself, and more often than not, he achieves it. Swimming has not always come easily to him, especially since last year was only his first season.

“However, it is often during times of struggle that you learn the most about yourself, and that is certainly the case with Sebastian. He continues to push himself, work hard and improve—which is a trait that everyone should hope to possess.”

A Commitment to Excellence

Sebastian definitely works hard and perseveres, both in sports and in the classroom.

He is on track to graduate summa cum laude in May 2027, with numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses on his transcript, including U.S. History, American Government, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, and Calculus AB.

Sebastian plans to pursue a career in engineering, either at the University of Michigan or the University of Notre Dame. He has taken engineering courses each year, including Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Computer Programming and Cybersecurity.

His senior-year engineering course is the new Civil Engineering and Architecture course.

Also on Sebastian’s senior schedule are AP Psychology, Honors Physics, AP Calculus BC, AP Literature and Composition, AP Microeconomics and the new Bloomberg Finance course.

Why De La Salle?

Sebastian attended Holy Family Regional School in Rochester and said he immediately felt that DLS was the right school for him.

“The moment I walked through the doors for the first time, I knew De La Salle was the place for me because everyone made me feel welcome.”

He said the four-year engineering program particularly attracted him and ultimately helped fuel his interest in pursuing engineering after high school.

Somehow, with all of these challenging academic courses, Sebastian has also fit multiple athletic teams into his schedule.

He has run cross country since his freshman year and is a captain this year. He is also a member of the track team and qualified for the state finals in the 4x800-meter relay as a junior.

Andrew Campbell, Dean of Students and Director of Counseling, is also the head cross country coach and knows Sebastian well.

“Sebastian is an exemplary student, athlete and person. He is extremely coachable, willing to take on challenges and receptive to criticism, always looking for ways to improve. He is resilient, gritty and hardworking, and over his four years on the cross country team, he has improved every season. He is now one of our captains and leading runners.

“Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Sebastian is a self-starter who takes initiative, as demonstrated by his work organizing a towel drive. He is kind, honest, personable and has an outstanding work ethic and attitude. He is the kind of student you know you will remember, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in the future.”

Leading and Giving Back

Sebastian is a member of the National Honor Society and part of the newly created Student Athlete Leadership Team.

He is also a Link Crew Leader, a role that provides opportunities to serve as a role model and mentor for younger students.

Sebastian says that since his freshman year, he has grown more comfortable and confident and more willing to step outside his comfort zone and try new things.

He says he will always remember building friendships with classmates and having fun with friends, attending athletic events, building relationships with teachers and challenging himself to become a better person.

One example of his efforts to reach out and help others was the recent towel drive he and fellow student Andrew Todd, a junior, organized at their church, St. Andrew in Rochester. The drive benefited a local homeless center.

He also offers this advice to freshmen: “Get involved in sports and clubs to meet new people and build relationships.”

Sebastian lives in Rochester with his parents, Matthew and Maria Morrison.