I attended the Seed from preschool through 3^rd grade during the mid-1990s. From the Seed I continued my education in the Tempe Public School system through high school. I have recently graduated from the University of San Diego where I received my degree in Business Administration. I have since returned to the Valley to take a dream job in basketball operations with the Phoenix Suns.

While I immensely enjoyed my time at the Seed during my young years, the appreciation for my overall experience and the comprehension of its impact on my life and personality could not be fully realized without age and maturity. With each passing year, I grow more thankful for not only my time at the Seed, but for the values it has instilled in me. As I continue to see the world and interact with its people, I am convinced that my appreciation for finding beauty in people’s differences has come from my time at the Seed.

There is not one thing about the Seed that defines its nature, but rather the experience as a whole that makes it a special and unique place for young people. I am proud to say that my time at the Seed has undoubtedly laid the important foundation for the person I am today. The same can be seen in countless other Seed graduates who have gone on to do extraordinary things.

I attended the Seed from kindergarten until 3^rd grade. This was in the late 80s and early 90s. My memories of the Seed are all so precious; paper making, Japanese art projects, Jujitsu and the Halloween Carnival stand out in my mind. I continue to treasure the friendships and relationships I fomented at the Seed.

I went to college at Northern Arizona University where I received a B.A. in Business Administration. I volunteered for one year in central Maine through AmeriCorps during this time as well. Since college I have been running a small business, working as a mom and homemaker for my husband and our 3-year-old son, taking yoga classes, subbing at the Seed and recently returning to school to pursue a degree in Biology.

My son, Zeek, now attends Awakening Seed. For my husband and I there was no other option. Being able to trust the entire school community with my child is invaluable. I know that not only is Zeek receiving a quality education but he is also imbedded in a culture of peace, cooperation, understanding and love. These aspects of Awakening Seed have also greatly impacted my life. I have learned from the Seed that helping others is essential, peace is possible, and through nurture gifts are honed and amazing things made possible.

I attended the Seed from approximately 1979 to1985,about age 4 to age 9. My little sister and brother Katie and Alex also attended during this time period. I went to the University of Virginia for undergraduate and then attended the University of Arizona for my Medical Degree. I currently practice as a Family Physician in Portland, Oregon. My time is split between seeing patients of all ages and teaching at a program that trains other Family Physicians. I also have a focus on Integrative medicine. My husband Matt and two daughters, Elsa and Gemma, make my life here rich and exciting. My Seed memories are a collage of experiences, mostly with math and science — lots of science experiments and learning math in fun ways like rubber bands on a peg board. I also have very fond memories of book making, remembering a strong sense of independence when I was able to ‘publish’ my own story– art and all, start to finish. I have chosen a career that requires and supports life-long learning. All of my experiences at the Seed — the excitement and joy found in learning and discovery and the independent and self directed education, helped shape my path.

I went to the Awakening Seed from age 4 through 4th grade, and I guess I’ll give away my age by admitting this period was otherwise known as the first half of the Reagan administration. From the Seed I went to public school in Tempe until I performed my teenage version of shock and awe by telling my die hard Sun Devil parents that I would be attending the University of Arizona after high school graduation. Thankfully, they were able to forgive my Wildcat foray when I returned to ASU for law school. Since law school graduation, my practice has primarily been in banking and I am currently an in-house attorney for a large regional bank holding company. More importantly, I have also become a wife and mother of two precious girls, Nadia (2 1/2) and Penelope (6 mos).

Outside of our immediate family, Mary Glover was the first person I contacted when I was seeking guidance on daycare options for Nadia. I knew that if Nadia could attend the Seed, she would attend the Seed. My confidence in the school is due in part to my long-time familiarity with its teachers, staff and administration, and in part to my knowledge of what it’s like to be a child in that environment. The Seed gives children a unique opportunity to learn about themselves, others and the world around them in a open, loving and accepting way. I didn’t understand the significance of some of my most enduring memories of the Seed until after I left. It was only then that I realized it was unusual to have experienced years of being friends with all of my classmates; that in most schools boys and girls are rarely friends, and differences between students are viewed as strange or offensive instead of either valuable or insignificant. I know that in her time at the Seed Nadia will be cared for and respected for whoever she decides to be, and it is my hope that in turn she internalizes an appreciation of the world and the people in it.