Robin Lucas' Passions: Publishing and Public Education

Name: Robin Lucas

Age: 30ish

Occupation: Owner of Showcase Magazine and president of the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation

How did you ever get to the place of being able to produce your own magazine? I have a degree in Human Resources and Business and a background in publishing. I was the account executive for Puget Sound Parent and Parent Map, South Sound. I have two children and was looking for balance in my life. A door opened at the right time for me to be able to launch my own magazine, so I took it. I now produce a bi-monthly, high-end coffee table magazine. It is a showcase of the cuisine community spanning from Federal Way to Olympia. It encompasses many culinary options from dining style to cuisine.

What was your vision when picking the direction for your magazine? I wanted to display the culture and lifestyle of the South Sound as well as give back to my community. With proceeds from the magazine, I would like to provide a scholarship in the arts. I like to encourage arts and support artists. I think it is tragic that our district had to pull back arts in the school. I would also like to work on further supporting arts through electronic media, sending out email blasts and featuring arts in our community.

Is your passion for supporting education why you became involved with the Sumner Education Foundation? I have been involved with the Sumner Bonney Lake Education Foundation for four years and president for two years. The main focus is to raise money and give it to local school-aged children. Since 2001, the foundation has given away $356,000 in scholarships. These scholarships are for further education and are available to Sumner and Bonney Lake High School students.

How do students apply for scholarships? They apply through the counsel office or the website. Only seniors can apply. We encourage juniors to work toward activities to better themselves and their resumes. For instance, doing community service and career-related activities will better their chances of receiving a scholarship.

What do you like best about working for such a cause? It is just such a great way to give back. It is part of my family history. My family owns the and we love to give back to our community. I enjoy seeking out people who will donate to our foundation through funding and volunteer hours. We need people to help teens out with filling out applications and help with mailings. We need companies, individuals and groups to consider donating.

What types of scholarships are available? We currently have 50 scholarships available. One example is Corliss/Investco. They donated a renewable scholarship for up to $2,500 per year for four years, for students who have an interest in business and plan to stay local. They also offer paid internships for scholarship recipients. Jerry Yoder of Sunset Chevrolet donates two $1,500 scholarships and has provided jobs. Most of our current donors renew and with our community’s help, we hope to be able to give 10 new scholarships over the next two to three years.