The Year in Review
Making the Commitment Two families reflect on why engagement in the SHS community remains a high priority each year
THE BRIGERS
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our years ago, when they relocated from the East Coast to the West Coast, Devon and Pete Briger sought a school that would provide a solid and supportive community for their four children, one that offered a breadth of strong academic and co-curricular programs and that was well-attuned and responsive to individual student strengths and needs. Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) ably met this profile, and as a result, the Brigers have been part of the Sacred Heart family for the past three academic years. In that time, both Devon and Pete have taken on increasingly greater roles in the daily life and strategic operations of SHS. A volunteer classroom parent, Devon has served on the school’s Marketing & Communications Committee and has recently joined the Advancement Committee. Pete is a member of the school’s Investment Committee. What SHS does extremely well is “build community among the students,” says Devon, citing her eldest son Jack’s eighth grade class as example.
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“There were all types of students in his grade, but regardless of their differences, they all graduated from the Middle School feeling connected to one another.” “It’s important to us that our children develop a good work ethic as well, that they experience the feeling of success that only comes from working hard,” adds Pete. “Ultimately, we want them to be good citizens, to be compassionate and able to contribute to society—even when it’s not that easy to do. “We give to SHS because our kids are here and we are part of this community. We love the governance of the school, and we can clearly see that philanthropic investment is being put to use in a positive way that demonstrates careful, thoughtful planning, and a history of making the right moves. “Adding to SHS’ present value by making a gift—the benefits of doing this today are truly priceless.”