Family Spotlight

We Can Make A Difference: An Interview with the Swiggett Family

Morgan and Lisa Swiggett both grew up in East Bay public schools, but describe their experience as a “one size fits all” approach. Four years ago, they were hoping to find a school for their children, Tabitha and Duncan, that could offer a more intimate and personal learning experience, that focused on the social aspects of learning alongside the academic. As they talked to family and friends who attended local private schools, they heard that the kids from Seven Hills were more prepared overall for their high school experience. “We heard that Seven Hills students were well-rounded kids, who knew how to learn, were socially comfortable with each other, and were willing to try everything. It sounded like the whole package for what we wanted for our kids,” Morgan recalls. When they first drove through the Seven Hills gates for their admissions tour, they asked themselves, “are we still in Walnut Creek?” In addition to the natural campus, they were especially sold when they toured the Red Barn space—the dreaminess of the setup, the freedom the children had, and the unique style of early childhood education. They noticed how Shauna Maraccini and the other teachers communicated with the 3-5 year-olds—seeing them as whole people already, with their own sets of challenges and desires, and never sounding worn out or frustrated. Now several years into their Seven Hills journey, the Swiggetts have seen the ways in which the school has fostered different passions in their children. Duncan’s favorite memories consist of any time spent learning with Linden. Being on the Kids Green Committee has been significant for Tabi, who loves to bring a ziplock bag to school to pick up trash with her friends. One day Duncan noticed trash that had blown and collected near the freeway, and asked, “Mommy, why is all that trash here?” It served as an opportunity for their family to clean up the area together, take pride in their work, and live out a part of the Seven Hills mission, fostering respect for, and responsibility to, our world. This spirit of making a difference has inspired Morgan and Lisa to volunteer both at Seven Hills and throughout the Bay Area. They are co-room parents for the first time this year, and have been

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

found at many Campus Beautification days getting themselves dirty in the creek. Lisa has enjoyed the chance to use her visual arts degree to create stunning decorations for the auction; Morgan has brought his musical and marching band experience into classroom music times. “We want our kids to know that we live in this

community, we have the advantages of this community, and that giving back time to make it better is super important.”

Morgan and Lisa are grateful for the opportunity to be part of a close school community they didn’t have growing up—where administrators know your name, you know the parents of your children’s friends, and you have open communication with teachers. Even through the transition to distance learning, they know Seven Hills is the right fit for their family. “Within one week of things shutting down, we had our materials, and we had the school to lean on. We didn’t have to worry,” says Lisa. The Swiggett family does look forward to when students and families will all be back together in person. With both children now in Lower School—they’re excited to make many more memories— from the Gold Rush and Box City, to Japan and all the delicious meals that will come out of the new Tenvold kitchen.