The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is proud to announce Sebastian Verslycke of Falmouth as the recipient of its 2026 scholarship, receiving a $2,500 award in recognition of his winning essay exploring the ways President John F. Kennedy has inspired him.
“We are thrilled to help further Sebastian’s scholastic endeavors as he heads into the next exciting chapter of his education,” said Wendy Northcross, Executive Director of the JFK Hyannis Museum. “His winning essay clearly illustrated not only his articulate vision, but also the thoughtful and meaningful ways that President Kennedy has inspired him.”
Verslycke, a Cape Cod native, was recently accepted to Harvard University and will begin his studies there this fall. He previously was one of just 25 U.S. high school students selected by the United World College United States National Committee for a scholarship to represent the United States at one of the 17 United World Colleges around the world.
He completed the International Baccalaureate program this past May at United World College Maastricht in the Netherlands, where he ranked first in his class.
“I am so thankful to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and honored to be this year’s recipient of their scholarship,” said Verslycke. “President Kennedy was an inspirational role model in so many ways and, as a Cape Cod native, this scholarship means all the more that it comes from an organization that celebrates his love for my home region.”
Verslycke also read his winning essay at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham during a celebration hosted by the JFK Hyannis Museum and the Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore commemorating the **65th anniversary of President Kennedy’s establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore on August 7, 1961**.