The people in his life call Sebastien Jean- François son, brother, bandmate, and soldier. His civilian friends and family lovingly refer to him as Baz. In the military, his brothers in arms address him as Frenchie. Sebastien is most proud to be called a patriot.
A 2012 Kurn Hattin Homes graduate, Sebastien joined the U.S. Army in 2016, rising to the rank of sergeant. During the COVID pandemic, however, he stepped down from the military and went on active reserve so he could focus on furthering his education. Sebastien studied exercise science and philosophy, with his sights set on becoming a personal trainer. This plan took a turn when, as he says, “things started to heat up.”
Sebastien is not always at liberty to discuss his military assignments due to their classified status. Nevertheless, he was able to share the experience he had in March of 2023 when he was assigned to work in Haiti, his country of origin. This was the first time Sebastien had returned to Haiti since his family moved to the United States when he was an infant. Sebastien was stationed in Port au Prince for three months, serving as an embassy security guard. While circumstances prevented him from reconnecting with people from his family’s past, his time there was rewarding. He says, “This was a very humbling experience. Here in the United States, we don’t have to endure what they do in war-torn, third-world countries like Haiti. Haitians have been experiencing violence, civil unrest, and severe natural disasters. It felt good to be among people of my culture and be able to help them because of where I am now.”
Opportunity drew Sebastien’s family to the United States. He explains, “My mother believed I would be able to achieve more and live a better life in the United States. She was correct. That’s also why she wanted me to attend Kurn Hattin. My time at the Homes set the foundation for my life and led me to join the military.”
That foundation included structure, but also parameters wide enough for Sebastien to make his own decisions and find his own interests. Reflecting on his time at Kurn Hattin, he says, “I felt independent and learned a lot about being an adult at a young age. The teachers provided guidance, but they also inspired me to find answers on my own.”
While at Kurn Hattin, Sebastien discovered his love of music. He played the drums in jazz band, sang in the select choir, and participated in every musical performance that he could. “It was a magical experience,” he recalls. “I loved performing, and I still do!” That’s why Sebastien and his other band of brothers, the Tactical Gearheads, show up for pop-up performances at local open mic nights whenever they can.
Staying connected to friends and family is very important to Sebastien, but his schedule can create challenges. He relies on social media to maintain relationships and stay in touch without being in the same place at the same time. That’s especially true when it comes to his childhood friend and Kurn Hattin classmate, John “Big Red” Harris. “John and I see each other occasionally, but social media lets us stay close even though we’re often far away from each other,” Sebastien says.
One of the reasons the two men have maintained a friendship despite different directions and schedules is their mutual respect, admiration, and support of each other. According to Sebastien, “We always saw in each other how far we could go in life. John took what he learned and is using it to go far. I’m proud of him.”
Sebastien is also proud to be a patriot. He says, “I love my country, and I love being part of the military.”
Sharing advice with current Kurn Hattin children, Sebastien says, “Find your passion and don’t ever think you can’t make it. Stay focused and be an expert in your field. Success is fulfillment. If you feel fulfilled with what you’ve accomplished, then you’re a success.”
Sebastien and his younger brother, Anthony Davis, pose for a picture at a Kurn Hattin Alumni Day. Anthony, who graduated from Kurn Hattin in 2021, attended high school in Manchester, New Hampshire. According to his very proud big brother, “Anthony landed his first job at Burlington Coat Factory. He loves it, and he got the family coats for Christmas.”