Full Circle Moments: When Alumni Come Home (literally or figuratively)

Lifelong Connections: How Seven Peaks School Alumni Continue to Give Back

At Seven Peaks School, the impact of our learning community doesn’t end at graduation. In fact, some of the most heartwarming moments come in the years after graduation, when familiar faces return to roam our halls. For many of our grads, opportunities to return to the classroom present themselves in tutoring for Middle Years Model UN, Performing Arts, or even 5th grade’s Exhibition projects.

Their return becomes a cherished rhythm: alumni dropping in to reconnect with former teachers, share their journey, and offer a living reminder of the lasting imprint of their early years.

Alumni Spotlight: Cameron Zipper, Class of 2017

One such story comes from Cameron Zipper, a graduate of our 2017 class. Cameron recently reconnected via email and shared both reflections and exciting news about where life has taken him.

“One of my favorite memories from SPS was in 5th grade in Jamie Wenger's class,” Cameron recalled. “As a class, we read Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, a novel about wilderness survival. After finishing the book, the class competed in a student-made cardboard boat race at the Athletic Club of Bend. Tying in the contents of the novel to such a fun experience had me very engaged in the material.”

Engaged Learning That Lasts a Lifetime

That hands-on approach—connecting learning to real-life, joy-filled experiences—is a hallmark of the Seven Peaks difference. It’s gratifying to hear how such moments have echoed through our students' lives long after they leave our campus.

From Cardboard Boats to Biomedical Breakthroughs

This past year, Cameron graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. He’s now continuing at Cal Poly to pursue his master’s degree, focusing his thesis on designing microfluidic devices for cancer chemotherapy testing—a cutting-edge field with real-world impact.

A Strong IB Foundation for Future Success

And while his journey into advanced engineering might seem far removed from a cardboard boat race, Cameron sees a clear throughline:

“Seven Peaks’ IB math program (shout out Mr. Gylling, former math teacher) prepared me well for IB high school math and, later on, challenging engineering coursework. I was always thankful for the strong foundation that I got from my time at SPS.”

The Seven Peaks Legacy: More Than a School

Stories like Cameron’s serve as powerful reminders of what makes our school community special. It's not just about academic excellence—though we are proud of the rigorous, inspiring IB curriculum we offer—it's about the relationships, the creativity, and the sense of belonging that stay with our students for years to come.

Our Alumni Community: Always Welcome

As more of our alumni like Cameron reconnect, reminisce, and reflect, we’re reminded that Seven Peaks isn't just a place they once attended—it’s a place they still call home.

Alumni: Our doors are always open. Whether it’s to share an achievement, mentor current students, or simply say hello, we love seeing where you are and how far you've come.