Six soon-to-be seniors at Todd Beamer High School learned what it takes to mix a suspension “just so,” fill a capsule in the most delicate way, and grind medicine into lotion for a topical treatment that doesn’t feel like sand.

Federal Way-based Key Compounding opened their doors on Wednesday to students who are part of the King County Employment and Education Resources Program, which serves motivated, low-income, in-school youth who have barriers to employment and education in their life and who are seeking a positive work experience.

Warniqua Fontenette, one of the students, is interested in becoming a nurse after school and appreciated the opportunity to learn about Key Compounding.

“It was interesting,” she said, describing her favorite part as watching a technician level off capsules filled with baking soda.

Fontenette was one of many who have toured the local business. Key Compounding has already hosted 40 Japanese students and members of the community, with their most recent tour being given to the Federal Way Police Department.

“It’s important because we really are passionate about our purpose, so therefore we’re really sharing it with minds that are still young and not decided,” said CEO HeeJoo Park, adding that she often sees a spark in engagement with the younger crowd.

But Key Compounding is not your average pharmacy – at least not by today’s standards.

Created in 1963 with its first location in Kent, the business takes patients back to a time before “prescription medications were produced in mass quantities by pharmaceutical manufacturers,” according to Key Compounding’s website.

Technicians work with prescribed drugs, sometimes without binding agents because of patient allergies, and many are often put into trans-dermal gels, suspensions, “chewies,” lollipops, lotions and more.

Because the practice is unique, Park hopes she can spread her passion to others to keep it alive. In fact, she has plans with the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy to host a resident program by July of next year. She’d also like to partner with other organizations, as well as the Federal Way school district, to foster attraction in the field.

Although Park is looking toward the future, she runs her business with guiding principles so her team is always working toward a positive environment. Using the tips in Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Park encourages her employees to recognize principles in action. Some of these include being proactive, having a purpose, maintaining a positive attitude, and showing integrity, loyalty and teamwork.

“You’re in it for something,” she said. “You’ve got a stake [in the company], you’re building a culture together.”

Employees who follow these principles get a profile in their monthly employee newsletter, she said.

Key Compounding is regulated by the state but is also Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board accredited.

For information, visit www.keycompounding.com.