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BRIGHT FUTURES STORIES

College Decision Day for PCHS First Generation Seniors

Typically, May 1st is College Decision Day and graduating seniors across the country would be celebrating their decisions for the fall. The COVID-19 crisis has thrown the Class of 2020 into uncharted territory, but one thing is certain; 23 first-generation PCHS seniors have every reason to be proud of their accomplishments. After years of hard work, these students have earned college acceptances across the state and beyond.

There is a shadow over this happy news. For many of our first-generation students, dreams of going to college are in jeopardy because of the pandemic. According to the Park City Community Foundation, "In a recent survey, Latinx families—many who normally work in the hospitality sector—51% said they have no work, and only 12% are working over 30 hours per week. 84% said the greatest barrier they face right now is paying rent and bills, and 75% have sought assistance for food since COVID-19. Many of the families are not eligible for government programs."

COVID-19 job losses mean that money allocated for college tuition is being redirected toward immediate family needs like food and shelter. As parents have lost jobs, some students have even gone to work full-time to help cover food and rent payments - there is no room to save for college expenses.

Fortunately, generous donors have stepped up this spring to help cover this unexpected tuition gap. So far, nearly $80,000 has been raised, a little more than half the expected shortfall for our Bright Futures students. 

As they prepared for their future, PCHS students went above and beyond by taking part in at least one of these programs:

1) Bright Futures college mentoring program for those first in their families to attend college, 10th grade through college graduation (funded by PCEF donors).

2) Latinos in Action leadership and volunteering class for Latinx students, 6th grade - 12th grade (funded by PCEF donors and PCSD).

3) Dream Big AP and ACT preparation class for those first in their families to attend college, 10th - 12th grade (funded by a grant from Utah State University).

Their hard work has paid off:

Christian Amendariz: Dream Big and Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Gracie Burnham: Bright Futures and Dream Big, Utah State University

Lindsay Carreto: Bright Futures, Dream Big, and Latinos in Action, Utah State University Ambassador Scholar

Evelyn Chautla: Bright Futures and Dream Big, Westminster College

Camilla Escobar: Bright Futures and Latinos in Action, University of Utah Honors College

Vincente Flores: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Adamary Gomez: Bright Futures, Gap Year

Adilene Juarez Ramirez: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Alexis Montalvo: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah Honors College

Ingrid Molena Sorano: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action,  Utah State University

Argelia Nava Martinez: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, Utah State University

Cassandra Paniagua: Dream Big, University of Utah

Angelo (Gio) Pena: Dream Big, Dixie State University

Edgar Pena: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, Utah State University Eastern

Karina Ramirez: Dream Big, Salt Lake Community College

Ramsey Rea: Bright Futures, Weber State University

Jamie Rosales: Bright Futures, Dream Big, University of Utah Honors College

Britney Sanchez: Bright Futures, University of San Francisco Honors College

Vincente Sanchez: Dream Big, Weber State University

Karla Santos: Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Maetzi Suarez: Bright Futures, Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah or Salt Lake Community College

Katia Talavera: Bright Futures, Salt Lake Community College

Luis Vazquez-Morales: Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Luis Vazquez: Dream Big, Latinos in Action, University of Utah

Bright Futures is the only PCHS program that follows low income, first generation students all the way from 10th grade through college graduation, offering coaching and mentoring services as well as tuition assistance. Students apply to the program in the spring of their 9th grade year.

You can give to support Bright Futures tuition assistance, and help the children of Park City's backbone workers. Thank you!

Your Impact This Year

  • Students Reached

    4500

  • Invested in Our Schools

    $1,500,000

  • % Parents Giving 2023/2024

    57%

  • Programs Funded

    100

  • Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation
    Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation

    Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation

  • Ascent Fund
    Ascent Fund
  • Beard Charitable Foundation
    Beard Charitable Foundation
  • Byrne Family Foundation Trust
    Byrne Family Foundation Trust
  • Dan & Terese Heintzelman Family Foundation
    Dan & Terese Heintzelman Family Foundation
  • Garen Family Foundation
    Garen Family Foundation
  • Kelsi and John Mellor
    Kelsi and John Mellor
  • Montage Deer Valley
    Montage Deer Valley
  • Park City Mountain Resort
    Park City Mountain Resort
  • Park City Municipal
    Park City Municipal
  • Parker Family Charitable Fund
    Parker Family Charitable Fund
  • Tatiana and Matthew Prince
    Tatiana and Matthew Prince
  • The Efrusy Family Foundation
    The Efrusy Family Foundation
  • Zions Bank
    Zions Bank
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous
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