“Walking across the stage to collect my diploma was so exciting that I felt like I almost blacked out,” said Argelia Nava. “I couldn’t believe it was happening. I was so scared to walk across the stage and trip - thankfully that didn’t happen.”
Argelia and six other Bright Futures Park City students - all of whom stayed conscious and on their feet - are now officially the newest college graduates of the program!
14 hard-working first-generation students from Park City Education Foundation’s BF have crossed the finish line - and it’s a huge deal. Argelia (PCHS 2020) collected her college diploma from Utah State University in early May; she is the first person in her family to do so.
“My whole family was there - even my dad. He isn’t usually able to attend stuff because he has a lot of work. He works about three jobs year-round. He had to get to a job that night and couldn’t stay the whole time - but he was there when they called my name, which is all that matters.”
Park City Education Foundation (PCEF), a partner to Park City School District, works to eliminate barriers to students achieving their dreams. To mitigate challenges Park City’s first-generation students battle to get to and through college, PCEF launched Bright Futures in 2016.
“My parents hope we get better jobs than they have - they want us to work in a job that’s not as hard. They do really physically hard work and don’t want that for us.”
Argelia’s family has always encouraged her to graduate from college, which is a big part of why she signed up for Bright Futures. BF provides a college-readiness curriculum, individualized coaching, peer support, parent support, and financial assistance through college graduation (a minimum of seven years).
“Bright Futures made us feel so special and talked about how hard it is to get through college. They acknowledge that, and not a lot of people do.”
Once students are in college, the PCEF Bright Futures team continues to provide comprehensive coaching, mentoring, check-ins, and resources.
“A lot of parents cried, but my dad held it together [at the PCEF Bright Futures college graduation party]. When we got home, he got sentimental and told me how proud he was. My dad doesn’t show a lot of emotion, so when he did, it was like, oh my gosh, he means it - I did do good!”
“I felt super proud during the USU graduation. I didn’t see many people of color, maybe five people looked like they might be ethnic. That didn’t get to me - it didn’t discourage me. It was like, ‘Yes, I AM needed.’”
“I 100% recommend Bright Futures – they won’t leave you hanging. They check in on you. You feel cared for and you feel SEEN.”
All that’s left to make her BA in Elementary Education official is one semester as a student teacher.
“It would be a great accomplishment to do that here in Park City. I could be the change I wish I had. I would see my old teachers and learn from them in a whole new way - as colleagues!”
Argelia would also like to land a full-time teaching job in Park City - and she already has big plans for her students… plans that echo the path she’s worked so hard to forge.
“I want my students to believe in themselves and know that, regardless of their background - race, home life, economic status – ANYTHING is possible when you believe in yourself and put your mind to it.”
