A Focus on Community (Ham Swartwood ’23

Ham Swartwood ’23

A Focus on Community by Caitlin O’Brien

Hamilton Swartwood, a.k.a. “Ham,” knew Lawrence Academy was the right school for him very early in the admissions process. “I had a simple reason for choosing LA,” recalls Ham, a day student from Concord, Mass. “It was the feeling I got every time I came on campus, the same one I still feel today. It’s the strong community.”

During his freshman year, Ham was elected class president, and he has continued with student government every year since as an Executive Board member. Realizing his passion for working with others on campus to help build community, he also joined clubs including Rise Against Hunger (RAH), the SpEC (Special Events Committee), OCSWAT (On Campus Student Weekend Activity Team), and SABA (Students Against Boring Assemblies). This year, he has devoted even more time to community service, joining the CS (Community Service) Advisory Board/Rotary Interact Club. Recently, he and other CS Advisory Board leaders were able to give a presentation to the Groton-Pepperell Rotary Club about the work LA students are doing to help take action for the greater good.

Another new opportunity for Ham this year was becoming a Spartan Leader, focusing on the new-student experience. Spartan Leaders are juniors and seniors who help shape a positive school culture through visible leadership positions in the LA community; they are assigned to one of three focus areas: residential life, new students, or international students. Ham explains, “I was able to work with new students during orientation and all throughout the school year. It was such an amazing experience to collaborate with other students and introduce them to the community that has helped me grow.”

When asked what he likes most about volunteering on campus, Ham replies, “I try to be as involved as much as I can and work with others as much as I can and then see it all come to fruition.” Inspired by his work with Rise Against Hunger, he hopes to spend this summer volunteering with organizations that help with food insecurity, extending his efforts into an even larger community.

Now in his junior year, Ham feels that almost every experience he’s had at LA will benefit him for the rest of his life. “The skills that I’ve gained here related to collaboration and promoting involvement and enriching communities, those will definitely be part of me for the rest of my life,” he reflects. “Additionally, both in and outside of the classroom, my understanding of myself — especially about how I work better with others — will definitely assist me after high school and beyond.”

For current or future LA students curious about getting involved on campus, Ham suggests, “Take every opportunity that is presented to you. That way, you can find out what you have a passion for and identify your areas of strength. Also, surround yourself with friends who also want to get involved. Knowing that you always have people to do community service projects with is really helpful.” Ham’s other piece of advice: “When you find the passion for it, show it. Find opportunities to get involved and help the LA community in ways that you want to.”

Student Life Acronyms to Know:

RAH (Rise Against Hunger): Students interested in ending world hunger work together to sponsor an annual meal-packaging event.

SpEC (Special Events Committee): Students help plan all-school events such as Class vs. Class Wars, Spirit Week, and Prom. OCSWAT (On-Campus Student Weekend Activity Team): Students help organize and work on ideas for our once-per-term on-campus weekends.

SABA (Students Against Boring Assemblies): Students help plan create creative events for Friday assemblies and ways to keep the community engaged. CS (Community Service): Every student must complete six hours of community service every year that they are at Lawrence Academy.