News Detail

Sebastijan Skoko Commits to UChicago

by Alex Popp, head coach of boys' varsity basketball
Sebastijan Satchel Skoko '18 has officially committed to the University of Chicago. And, yes, he was named after Satchel Paige, to whom he is actually related.

One of Sebastijan’s more observant peers at Vermont Academy, Seth Buchanan of Saginaw, Michigan, had this to say: “Sebastijan is a natural leader. He confidently can make his own decisions and assessments that are original.” And I couldn’t agree more. Sebastijan challenges the status quo with a delivery that never feels self-serving or lazy, which is especially admirable in our pressure-filled locker room full of hyperachievers.

Sebastijan came to Vermont Academy after spending grades 7 through 10 at Roxbury Latin. His decision to transfer to VA was met with plenty of resistance from his advisor, who happened to be the head of school. In true Sebastijan Skoko fashion, he took the original path and found himself achieving outside of his comfort zone in rural Saxtons River, Vermont.

​Skoko​ holds a 4.07 GPA, and he is a proctor in Alumni Hall, captain of the basketball team, head waiter for formal meals​, a tour guide, and president of our beloved Long Walk Beach Club. Sebastijan is the most talented student-athlete with whom I have ever worked--and I have coached lawyers, doctors, investment bankers, and NBA players.

Sebastijan sent me his favorite quote ​recently, and I believe that it crystallizes my affinity for his character. The quote ​is from Jimi Hendrix and it ​goes like this: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we will then have peace.”​
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Sebastijan transferred to Vermont Academy in hot pursuit of a basketball dream of his. While chasing excellence, he gave the VA community loyalty, diligence, and devotion to the best interests of the school. His diverse resume and experiences led him to an acceptance from the University of Chicago, where he will attend this fall​. ​ Sebastijan’s beautiful impact on our ​Vermont Academy ​community will ​last forever. I have no doubt.
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Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.