When Highlands High School English instructor Beth Brubaker became the head of the school’s publications program in 2018, there was a growing wishlist to keep it up to date. When she learned about the opportunities for grants available through the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, it was just the help she needed.

 “So I reached out to Amy Shaffer, who told me more about the Teacher Grant program,” explains Brubaker. “That year, we received a grant for two new sports lenses, and since then, the Foundation has granted our program over $70,000.”

More recently, the department has received six sport camera lenses, five mirrorless cameras for sports photography, and new lights and backdrops for the department’s new photo studio. Just before winter break, the department received new monitors to be able to edit at a more precise level. “Without the Education Foundation, our students would not have these wonderful opportunities,” says Brubaker. “It’s just not affordable for a school district.” 

The publications program also works closely with the Highland Stories Project, which has brought them in touch with Bluebird alumni from around the country and helped to build a loving tribute to the school system by creating stories about artifacts that help tell the rich history of Highlands High School.

Along with the growth of technology and equipment, the publication program itself has seen a massive influx of new students – building from 7 students in 2019 to 47 students in 2025. And with the growth of new journalists, Brubaker sees the need for more equipment to allow them access to the innovative technology that will help them learn and thrive. The department’s wish list currently includes more cameras to meet the growing demand of new photographers to shoot and edit and new iPads to support the students interested in digital graphics work.

At the end of the day, Brubaker feels that the work of the Education Foundation is a product of the care and forward-thinking of the Fort Thomas community and their commitment to supporting educational excellence.   

“When I tell friends and teachers in our districts what our education foundation does, they are in awe,” she says. “No other place fulfills the wishes of students and teachers like this. It reflects what makes the Fort Thomas community so special.”

To make a contribution supporting our Journalism program and other FTEF Teacher Grants click here.