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LEGACY LEADERS

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PATRICIA LAPAN (1927-2012)

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Lapan Sunshine Foundation - Founder

Lapan College and Career Club - Founder

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LAPAN SUNSHINE FOUNDATION

Patricia Lapan’s visionary leadership created lasting opportunities for students. In 1989, she founded the Lapan Sunshine Foundation in California to support students with the drive to succeed but limited access to traditional scholarships. In 2004, she moved the Foundation to Tucson, Arizona, where her legacy continues.

 

The Foundation provides students from underserved communities with scholarship, mentorship and access to opportunity. Their mission reflects Patricia Lapan’s lifelong commitment to leveling the playing field and helping students to confidently pursue their dreams, and honors her legacy by supporting programs like the Lapan College & Career Club (LC3).​

LUCY KIN

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Lapan College and Career Club - Executive Director - Retired 

Years of Service 2004 - 2024

 

Lucy Kin joined the Lapan College & Career Club in 2004 after a 30-year career with Tucson Unified School District. As Executive Director, she built on Patricia Lapan’s "$50 for every 'A'" initiative, expanding the club’s efforts to support economically disadvantaged students in the Wakefield community. Her leadership, grounded in personal relationships, helped students overcome barriers and realize their potential. Lucy retired in 2024, but her legacy of mentorship, empowerment, and unwavering dedication will continue to inspire and impact generations of students to come.

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ALAN VOELKEL

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Lapan College and Career Club - Program Director - Retired 

Years of Service 2010 - 2024

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Alan Voelkel retired in 2024 after dedicating many years to the Lapan College & Career Club. He joined the team following seven years of volunteering with the Lapan Foundation and brought with him extensive experience in education, community development, and media. As the Director of Media & Special Projects, Alan was instrumental in program design, technical support, and documenting the club’s impact through photography and data collection, and the layout of the Clubhouse, including the beloved garden and greenhouse, was his design. His contributions, particularly to the CAP Mentors program and El Jardín—one of his favorite initiatives—will be greatly missed. Alan’s legacy of dedication and the wonderful programs he helped establish will continue to inspire and shape the club’s work for years to come.

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