Sebastian Sidney ’11 Honors Fellow Alumnus in New Book

Sebastian Sidney ’11 has always been a storyteller. His time at Fenn—particularly in John “Fitz” Fitzsimmons’ eighth grade English class, the W.W. Fenn Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, and the annual Poetry Slam—helped shape his voice. After graduating in 2011, he went on to Lawrence Academy and UMass Boston before building a career in the tech industry, with roles at Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, and later, Moderna during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, he works for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), leading training policy and execution across the state.

Recently, Sebastian channeled his passion for writing into his debut poetry book, ‘for the boy who ran’. Inspired by his own journey and his time at Fenn, the book is dedicated to the memory of fellow alumnus William Reynolds ’11, who passed away in 2023. Through his work, Sebastian hopes to honor William’s legacy while offering readers a powerful message of self-love, resilience, and healing. Through hauntingly beautiful verses, Sebastian guides us through the labyrinth of memory, pain, and hope. Here is an excerpt from his book that shows this perspective:

"The road ahead wasn’t empty. It was full of questions he didn’t know how to answer. But even in his fear, he knew this: there was nothing behind him worth stopping for."

Sebastian has built a thriving community through his Instagram page @itsdailymanifestation, where nearly 35,000 followers engage with his daily insights on self-growth, manifestation, and personal empowerment. His words serve as a guiding light for anyone navigating life’s challenges, reminding them that healing is possible, and home is found within.

Find Sebastian’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/boy-who-ran-Sebastian-Sidney/dp/B0DYCL3PPN