We asked the PCHS Class of 2024 Bright Futures grads to weigh in with post-high school graduation plans, and how BF prepared them for what lies ahead. Please note that every BF graduate in the Class of 2024 is receiving the $1,000 Bright Futures scholarship as they all maintained a 3.0 in high school! They will continue to receive $1,000/year in college by maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
Here is what they said!*
Isabella Abonce
My experience with Bright Futures has been amazing. BF provided many opportunities and guidance to get into college. I am grateful for the mentors who pushed me out of my comfort zone to pursue greater things. Overall the Bright Futures program has provided me with information many first-generation students may lack which has helped me relieve some of my worries for my future in college. I hope to continue to be a part of this tremendous program for many years to come.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → University of Utah
- Major/Goal → Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Debate, Model UN, H.O.S.A (Health Occupations Students of America), Teen Council, Dream Big, Bright Futures, Park City High Softball Team, tutoring, dispatch at Stein Eriksen Lodge
- Something surprising about me → I love boxing.
- Scholarships → Range College Student Scholarship
Alexandra Alonso
Bright Futures has been a great experience!! It motivated me and showed me various paths after high school. We learned essential skills for college such as meeting deadlines, how to apply for scholarships, and what to expect to make the best out of our college experience!!
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Undecided
- Major/goal → Family Studies and Human Development
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Tutor at McPolin Elementary School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Park City High School Wind Ensemble, SOS Outreach, and Christian Center volunteer
- Something surprising about me → I enjoy trying new restaurants!
Spring Carter
My Bright Futures experience has been wonderful. Lots of extra support and amazing people! Would have never made it this far without it.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC then transfer.
- Major/Goal → Geo/Earth Sciences
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Park City Wrestling Team, Park City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Bright Futures
- Something surprising about me → I run a side business doing art commissions and I'm making a website for it.
Isabella Escobar
Bright Futures has been one of my support systems and has helped me stay motivated. It has encouraged me to do my best and challenge myself in and out of school.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → University of Utah
- Major/Goal → Pre-Computer Science BS
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → LIA, Hope Squad, Interact Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, SOS Outreach, Thrive, Recycle Utah Intern, and Intermountain Hospital volunteer
- Something surprising about me → I love to bake.
Mia Esquivel
Bright Futures has given me a better opportunity and drive to go to college to pursue my dream job. It’s made me push myself more than I used to because I know they have expectations for me. Not only that, they have been my biggest supporters and have always been there for me when I went through academic struggles.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Utah Valley University
- Major/Goal → Nursing/Trauma
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Latinos in Action, EMT, CNA, Track & Field, Provo Steelers Rugby Club, and Utah Rugby League
- Something surprising about me → I’m terrified of the deep sea.
Sebastian Huertas
Bright Futures helps us to apply for scholarships and plan a good future doing what we like and they can answer any question we have about college, it is also fun to go to the meetings.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan →Mountainland Technical College
- Major/Goal → Electrician
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Bright Futures, SOS Outreach, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and soccer
- Something surprising about me →I like fixing things.
Jessica Juarez
My Bright Futures experience has been really good. It has served as a support system and helped me with any questions I have had about college. I have been able to learn essential skills that will help me in the future as well as being able to connect with my peers.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → University of Utah
- Major/Goal: → Kinesiology
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → LIA, Track and Field, SOS Outreach, National Honor Society, Hope Squad, Interact club, Teen Council, and Recycle Utah intern
- Something surprising about me: I am very afraid of snakes.
Leslie Juarez
My three years with Bright Futures led to life-changing relationships. The network I created through them is very important to me; I will value & appreciate it all through the rest of my college experience/life.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → University of Utah
- Major/Goal → Undecided / probably medical field
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → National Honors Society (NHS), Hope squad, Latinos In Action (LIA), Teen Council, Dream Big, Bright Futures, Softball, Basketball, Interact club, Internship with SOS Outreach/ Mentor & Junior Mentor with SOS Outreach, Volunteering with Live Like Sam & Solomon Fund
- Something surprising about me → I like trying new things and love seeing the world in different ways.
- Scholarships → Utah Academic Scholarship
Sofia Leon
Bright Futures has been a fantastic program so far! It’s given me opportunities to prepare myself more for college and scholarships and has motivated me to pursue a higher education.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC
- Major/Goal → Undecided
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Dream Big, Bright Futures, SOS Outreach, LivePC/GivePC volunteer
- Something surprising about me → I’ve been working since I was 14 years old!
Jessica Loya
Bright Futures helped me learn about opportunities for my future and encouraged me to challenge myself in and out of school. The program has helped me feel confident in my ability to pursue a higher education and the peer support has kept me motivated.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → University of Utah
- Major/Goal → Undecided
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → LIA, Hope Squad, Track & Field, SOS Outreach, National Honor Society, Thrive, Interact Club, Park City Community Foundation intern, and Recycle Utah intern
- Something surprising about me → I have been snowboarding for 10 years!
- Scholarships → Utah Flagship Scholarship
Eimee Meneses
I’ve enjoyed being part of Bright Futures for 4 years and the community that’s been established within my year's cohort. It’s a program that has impacted me a lot and supported me throughout high school.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Westminster College
- Major/Goal → Nursing
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → LIA, Hope Squad, Basketball, SOS Outreach, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Teen Council
- Something surprising about me → I enjoy cliff-jumping.
- Scholarships → Westminster President's Scholarship
Katy Muñoz
I’ve enjoyed being in Bright Futures with peers I’ve come to know - or already knew and got closer to. This program has been a great support during my high school years and will continue onto college.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC
- Major/Goal → Undecided
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → LIA, Dream Big, Summit County Clubhouse intern, Community Outreach, Student Council, SOS Outreach, Softball, Baseball Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters, front desk agent at the Black Rock Mountain Resort
- Something surprising about me → I’m a pro at reverse parking.
- Scholarships → Somos Scholarship
Gisselle Nava
I have been part of Bright Futures for three years and have enjoyed every chance to get to know more colleges and my peers. I am truly grateful for the great support this program has provided to me.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Attend University of Utah
- Major/Goal → Undecided
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Dream Big, Bright Futures
- Something surprising about me → I know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
Jose Onofre
I had a lot of fun in the past four years and learned a lot more about college and the variety of options that are out there. I got closer to my Bright Futures peers and made new friends within the program as well.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC for generals
- Major/Goal → Undecided
- Something surprising about me → I make good burgers.
Caren Pantaleon
Being a part of Bright Future for three years I have grown as a person and student. The program has shown me to be more aware of my future and I have learned to take opportunities. It has helped to realize the amount of hard work can lead to success in one's future.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Attending Utah State University
- Major/Goal → Majoring in business
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Hope Squad, Student Council, Dream Big, and Bright Futures
- Something surprising about me → I am very determined to see things through and commit to them long term.
Luz Reyes
Being a part of Bright Futures has been the biggest privilege I have had so far. From the friendships I have gained and strengthened to the immense help in every aspect of my life, this program has been an amazing support throughout high school and hopefully through college. I deeply appreciate everyone within the program, including all the people who manage it who we never really get to see. All their help and support is what makes this program bright.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC
- Major/Goal → Nursing
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Thrive Program, Youth Menor/Mentoree with SOS Outreach, Internship with SOS Outreach, Dream Big, Bright Futures
- Something surprising about me → I love love love to snowboard.
Aron Tubilla
My Bright Futures experience has been amazing. The amount of support I have received from them was more than I could have asked for. They made sure I was on track and if I ever struggled then they would check up on me and figure out a plan to get me back on course. I never felt alone when I was in Bright Futures. They helped me understand college expectations and what I should prepare for.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Serving a two-year mission and then going to the U
- Major/Goal → Finance/business
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Dream Big and Bright Futures
- Something surprising about me → I like to play golf.
Aly Vazquez
My experience has been good. I have received information about universities and students at different universities and how they have learned to manage their money.
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → SLCC for generals
- Major/Goal → Agricultural Engineering
- Something surprising about me →I like to cook.
Perla Vazquez
- Post-PCHS Graduation Plan → Undecided
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dream Big, Thrive, Debate/Speech, Model UN, Teen Council, Marching Band, Youth Coalition, Women Who Succeed, Part-time sales associate, HOBY
Bridget Wysong
Bright Futures has better prepared me for college and kept me motivated to pursue higher education.
- Headed to → Utah State University
- Major/Goal → Biotechnology
- Extra/Co-Curriculars → Dream Big, Hope Squad, Bright Futures, Thrive, Interact Club, Softball, GSA
- Something surprising about me → I've been skiing for 15 years and love 90s and 80s music.
*Some answers have been edited for length.