Alumni Spotlight: Syd (Harrell) Lucas

I feel deeply aware of Perimeter School’s impact ON MY LIFE.

By: SYD (Harrell) Lucas, Perimeter School Alum

We recently caught up with several of our Perimeter School alumni, and we are excited to share with you how Perimeter School has influenced their stories and how God is using them for kingdom impact.

Our next alumni spotlight is Syd (Harrell) Lucas, Perimeter School Class of 2013. 

WHAT DO YOU DO? WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

My husband, Michael, and I live in Nashville, Tennessee, and we have a baby boy due at the beginning of June! We moved here two years ago from Austin, TX, and we love being back on the East Coast closer to family. I am the designer and brand director for a commercial real estate company here in Nashville, and I also illustrate and do interior design for my own business, Syd H. Lucas. At the end of last year, I self-published my first children’s book, “Rose and the Museum” after writing and illustrating it myself.

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT PERIMETER SCHOOL INFLUENCE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO TODAY?

As an artist and designer, I stand on the foundation Perimeter School and my parents created for me. Lifelong learning, appreciating beauty in everything, and valuing the arts are invaluable in my life and career. As I got older, I realized that what I learned at Perimeter School through picture studies and nature studies is not what everyone gets to experience. So, two years ago, I set out to write a children’s book that would do two things: inspire children to love art and want to study it and serve as a resource to parents and teachers who are unfamiliar with Charlotte Mason. The book follows a mother and daughter going through an art museum. They study five paintings using the picture study method I learned at Perimeter School, and the mom supplements the study with imaginative storytelling.

I would never have written the book without having gone to Perimeter School. I’m passionate about educating children and encouraging them to love learning!

"IF IT WEREN'T FOR PERIMETER SCHOOL, I WOULDN'T KNOW . . .”

I wouldn’t know the blessing of an education rooted in the arts and all that does for our lives. While, of course, we need the sciences, mathematics, literature, etc., the arts enrich our lives so much. Even my degree at Baylor was an extension of my learning at Perimeter School. Having an appreciation of beautiful things brings so much joy! So whether I’m with friends at an art museum or designing someone’s home, I believe my education at Perimeter School gave me a much deeper understanding of beauty. Beautiful things are profound; they are meant to point us to Jesus, who is Beauty Himself. I truly believe a beautiful home or space can share a part of the Lord’s heart for creating beautiful things.

IN WHAT WAYS IS THE WORK YOU ARE DOING NOW SPIRITUALLY AND CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT?

I hope that through my design work and my children’s book, people will see our Creator, who made all beautiful things and is making all things new. It is culturally and spiritually significant to bring Charlotte Mason principles to more people through storytelling. Our country needs children and young adults who are learning about goodness, truth, and beauty.

IN WHAT WAYS IS PERIMETER SCHOOL STILL IMPACTING YOUR FAMILY TODAY?

I have so many opportunities to talk about Perimeter School as I share my book with our community here in Nashville, so I feel deeply aware of Perimeter School’s impact. As I paint and illustrate, I know that I am using tools I learned in art classes at Perimeter School, ones that are so deeply embedded that they now come naturally. And, of course, as we prepare for our first child, I’m already so excited to share with him and teach him. Having the covenant Christian education undergirds all that I am and all that I do!

Click here to learn more about Syd’s book, “Rose and the Museum.”