Exemplary Eagle: Senior Sebastian N.

On a Thursday morning in June, lawmakers gathered in Washington, DC, for a congressional hearing. Thousands of miles away in São Paulo, Graded senior Sebastian N. was already at his computer. Setting aside the luxury of sleeping in during school break, he fixed his attention on the screen, waiting for the livestream to begin. On the agenda was an environmental justice testimony, now set to be debated by the US Congress.

Just the day before, Sebastian was still making final edits to the materials for the hearing: double-checking data, proofreading text, and ensuring every map and citation was clear to the reader. For weeks, he had been assisting Harvard's Department of Economics, comparing census documents to obtain a detailed analysis of existing climate aid policies. Publishing research was not new to him, but for the first time, he could see his work making a difference.

“It was really humbling. When I publish something, I don't immediately get to see the effect of that research,” he said. “This time, I could see my work entering into discussions that could influence policy change and impact lives.”

Impact has been a hallmark of Sebastian’s time at Graded. Since arriving at Graded in eighth grade, he has embraced every opportunity to grow. His first major initiative was his call to action project that year. He set out to address a question many students grapple with: How do you choose a future career when there are so many options? His answer became Students' Online Aspirational Resource (SOAR), a library of career videos contributed by the Graded community.
 

 

What began with a handful of videos has grown into a club of 25 members. Today, the SOAR website showcases more than 40 career paths to explore, an online course developed with the Office of College Counseling, and a service branch supporting local institutions in São Paulo.

While SOAR focuses on helping others find their direction, Sebastian’s own path has expanded to environmental and economic research. 

“I think that many times people say we have to use less plastic or we have to eat less meat, or do this, or do that. But just saying it won't make it happen,” he said. “I was interested in the economics behind it—how to actually influence companies and countries to change their policies.”

Encouraged by his teachers, he began exploring the topic outside of the classroom, completing summer internships in Brazil and China. At PSR, a Rio-based energy consulting firm, he conducted independent research and joined client meetings. One of his papers on sugarcane bagasse-based biochar was published by the firm, and two other projects are currently under review for publication by the journal Nature. His work there and with Zhejiang Fortune Energy Co., Ltd, a Chinese solar panel company, also led to multiple placements in Exame magazine. 

“Sebastian is a once-in-a-generation scholar whose intellect, leadership, and drive set him apart,” said Janan Sabeh, Sebastian’s college counselor at Graded. “Where others see obstacles, he sees possibilities.”

That drive shows up everywhere. He plays water polo at the national level for Paineiras, swims varsity for Graded, and sings in Graded's choir. He also served as editor-in-chief of The Talon and the 2024-25 yearbook and was involved in Model United Nations. 

Even with a packed schedule, Sebastian continues to pursue challenges that push him in new directions. Last year, he had the opportunity to act for the first time. Excited to hear that Graded would stage his favorite production, Les Misérables, he tried out and landed his dream role of Jean Valjean. 

The show held personal meaning. He had been singing “Do You Hear the People Sing?” since he was five, and it was his mother’s favorite musical as well as his aunt’s, who flew 48 hours from Hong Kong to see him perform. The experience taught Sebastian a valuable lesson.

“You don’t always have to do only what you’re best at,” he reflected. “You can grow, and you can find a lot of happiness in doing something new.”
 

Sebastian’s Graded experience is defined by seizing opportunity. Across research, leadership, and the arts, he approaches each new challenge with curiosity and the drive to make a difference.