Jamestown High School senior Sebastian Cordero Muniz had quite a decision to make when he was accepted into four Ivy League schools. But Yale University won his heart.

While he never had a “dream school,” Yale’s strong pre-med program combined with wide study-abroad options seemed the perfect intersection of his passions and next path.

Sebastian’s love of language fuels his desire to communicate with as many people as possible. He is fluent in Spanish and English and has been studying Chinese and French for six years. The Virginia Governor’s French Language Academy, a summer program, provided Sebastian a rare opportunity to practice French with students, teachers, and mentors across the commonwealth, exposing him to different dialects.

Sebastian’s Puerto Rican grandmother inspired him to seek a medical career, and her experiences with healthcare in this country drive Sebastian to want to speak to people in their native language.

“As a physician, I want to be able to bridge barriers in health care, especially with health decisions being such an important part of our lives.”

Sebastian encourages others to follow their passion without being confined by what is currently available. In addition to participating in numerous groups and clubs, he founded Jamestown High School’s pre-med club to surround himself with like-minded students. He plans to do the same at Yale.

“Creating a new family—an extension of my current family—while preparing for my career is something I’m looking forward to,” Sebastian said.

This is the last of a series highlighting some of our Class of 2023 graduates, their remarkable achievements, and the unique paths that lie ahead of them. Thank you for helping us celebrate our students!