PRESS ROOM
For the first time ever in the foundation’s Excellent Educator program, the AP Government and AP History instructor received both an Excellent Educator Award and the Sarah and Stephen Doilney The 2025 Excellent Educator Award recipients:
Ecker Hill Middle School — Andrea Solum, sixth grade English
Jeremy Ranch Elementary — Susan Boone, special education
McPolin Elementary —Joanna Hammel, all-school interventionist
Park City High School — Joanna Andres, social studies
Parley’s Park Elementary — Amy Bean, second grade
Trailside Elementary — Samantha (Sam) Johnson, special education teacher
Treasure Mountain Junior High — Sharon Maddux, film
The annual awards are funded by the Doilney and Louis families.
The Park City Education Foundation visited Park City schools Friday, April, 25, to hand out Excellent Educator awards. Joanna Andres made history as the first to win the staff 'Excellent Educator' and student-elected Sarah and Stephen Doilney award.
Park City Mountain and the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County will auction off 12 decommissioned ski lift chairs decorated by local artists. PCEF is one of the 12 nonprofits selected to work with the artist to decorate a chair. Proceeds from each auctioned chair will benefit its associated nonprofit.
Treasure Mountain Junior High School will celebrate its last year with Running with Ed, May 17th. PCEF's Running with Ed raises money for Classroom Grants to benefit all of Park City's students throughout every school.
“We like to say it’s a bunch of parties with a little running in between,” said Jennifer Billow, the PCEF’s Vice President of Advancement. “It’s just a fun way for people to support the Ed Foundation, and, in turn, support schools and teachers in the Park City School District.” The annual relay run is scheduled this year for May 17, and registration is now open. Running with Ed raises money to support Classroom Grants throughout every school.
PCEF supports PCHS Robotics with a Classroom Grant. The club’s all-girls rookie team — named Minerva for the Roman goddess of the arts, wisdom and war — reached the semifinals, securing a spot at the Premier Event.
The PCEF Excellent Educator Awards take place on April 25th. Established in 1996 by Jim Doilney in partnership with the Park City Education Foundation (PCEF), the Excellent Educator Awards recognize outstanding teachers and staff as selected by their peers at each school.
Running with Education will be held on Saturday, May 17th. RWE is a celebratory relay race fundraiser for PCEF, which raises money for Park City schools. It’s been voted one of Park City’s Best Fundraisers for 12 years running. When you register or donate, you help PCSD teachers, students and classrooms!
Park City Mountain, through Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise, has contributed nearly $500,000 to Park City public schools over the past 10 years, with donations supporting everything from early childhood education to school-based grants.
PCEF donors help fund the Bright Futures program - one of our eight Signature Initiatives.
Saturday evening, the Park City Education Foundation’s Bright Futures program hosted its third annual college grad celebration honoring 11 program alums and now-incoming Class of 2025 college graduates from schools across the state.
PCEF helps fund the annual Special Education Transition Fair with a Classroom Grant.
The recent event was supported by 18 agencies from the local and regional community. Notable participants included Utah Special Olympics, ScenicView Academy, Utah Independent Living Center, Vocational Rehab, Peace House, Adaptive Coalition of Park City, and other local organizations. One of the absolute highlights of the event was the adorable therapy dogs from Intermountain Therapy Animals! They brought so much joy, offering comfort with wagging tails and creating a warm, welcoming environment.
Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman thanked PCEF for ongoing support and dedication to enhancing learning opportunities for students, not the important role in connecting classroom learning to the world beyond. The expansion includes: modern classroom wings, a collaborative forum, and expanded cafeteria and kitchen, and an updated gym.
PCEF supports the Aviation and Drone Program with a Classroom Grant.
"I saw the drone aviation class when I was signing up for classes (freshman year), and I thought it sounded cool," Senior student Alan Soberanis said. "They teach you how to fly different kinds of drones and help you study for your license test. I got my license about a month ago."
PCEF donors support the Music Department with a Classroom Grant.
"It's no secret that part of our success is the fact thais building has a huge culture of success all throughout," Band Director Zach Giddings said. "It is being part of a team with teachers like you who make it easy to motivate the kids to be excellent."
The April PCSD Newsletter includes: We All Belong Campaign, EHMS Ribbon Cutting, PCHS Drones, Get to know Administrators throughout the district, EHMS and TMJH band competitions, and more.
English and Spanish versions of the newsletter available at the link.
The Afterschool Program is more than childcare - it offers enrichment and fun activities by seamlessly coordinating with other local organizations. “We don't have a garden at home, so digging in the dirt and composting in the school’s greenhouse supported by Youth Education director, Erica Snyder, with Summit Community Gardens/EATS has been amazing,” Erin said. PCSD Afterschool is supported by PCEF donors. Thanks to the PCSD School Board, the Afterschool Program expanded this year to include 4-year-olds, and for the 2025/26 school year will offer programming for 3-year-olds.
PCEF donors help support students in Model UN.
PCHS students Grace Stevenson and Addie Leombruno gained confidence, leadership, and global awareness through Model UN. By representing countries and debating real-world issues, they’ve developed strong communication and critical thinking skills. Through Model UN, Addie and Grace have cultivated skills that won’t leave them even when they leave high school.
Your Running with Educations and donations create lasting impact by allowing for enhanced learning opportunities at the newly updated, Ecker Hill Middle School. PCEF is proud to support Classroom Grants throughout every corner of this school.
PCEF donors have supported PCHS Speech & Debate for 12 years.
“I think this team deserves a lot of recognition, and the coaches deserve a lot of recognition because it’s really hard to quantify just how much time and effort goes into it,” Bailey said. “The skills that we learn here today benefit the community as well because the people that are leaving this debate team, they want to benefit the community (in the future).” Abigail Bailey, State Champion - Congress
Everyone who participates in speech and debate has no hesitation to welcome newbies and help train them in various events.
PCEF donors support the district's Music Program through a Classroom Grant.
Ecker Hill Middle School’s band performed at the State Junior High Band Festival and earned straight superior ratings, the highest score possible. Out of 33 bands from across Utah who attended, Ecker Hill was one of only seven who achieved this top honor.
PCSD will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed expansion at Ecker Hill Middle School on March 27th from 4:30-5:30pm.
Trailside Elementary honored its Kindness Award winners this month, recognizing students who demonstrated compassion, respect, and care for their peers and school community.
The Kindness Awards kicked off in February and will be awarded monthly in partnership with the Park City School District, Park City Community Foundation, and PCEF.
Park City High School ProStart team showcases their culinary creations at the Utah ProStart Culinary State Competition on March 11 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. The team, led by instructor Kari Patterson, competed using only camp stoves to prepare their dishes, demonstrating skill, precision, and teamwork.
PCEF provides support to Culinary students by helping to fund kitchen equipment as part of its $350,000 investment into the new CTE building.
The March PCSD Newsletter includes: We All Belong Campaign, Kindness Awards, A Letter from the NEW Superintendent, Screenagers movie recap, PCHS Speech & Debate Excellence, Robotics at State, and more.
English and Spanish versions of the newsletter available at the link.
Through its 10-year partnership with the Park City Education Foundation, Park City Mountain and its nonprofit EpicPromise have donated nearly $500,000 to the foundation to help fund Preschool and education programs in the community.
Jen Billow, the foundation’s Vice President for Advancement, said with the most recent Vail Resorts EpicPromise donation, it has been able to increase Preschool enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year to allow for 100 additional students. “They're a big supporter of early childcare in general, so they've been supporting preschool for 10 years, including that $250,000 gift they made last year,” Billow said.
Park City has budgeted over half a million dollars annually as public service funds to partner with local nonprofits that provide essential services in the community. After the city approved the last wave of public service grants in 2023, the council requested an overhaul of the program to be more transparent and responsive to community needs. PCEF is one of 30 grant applicants and could receive $100,000 over the next two years.
Running with Ed is May 17th, register by the end of March and save!
“We're in early bird registration now, which would save you $50 a person if you register now, it's $100 versus starting April 1, it'll be $150,” PCEF's Vice President of Advancement, Jen Billow said. “It's our great eight-leg relay race around Park City. If you have teams of eight, everybody can run a leg. There's a leg as short as 1.3 miles. There are legs that are six miles. There are legs up the stairs of the UOP or you can take a chair lift, It’s costumes, it’s community. A great finish party. And it just, a great local community event.”
Upcoming events include a Second City comedy performance on March 20th and the Excellent Educator Awards on April 25th. Purchase tickets for Second City comedy on our website through March 13th.
The "Running with Ed" event, scheduled for May 17th, aims to raise $325,000, with early bird registration discounts. Register before the end of March and save. #RWE2025
Educator Trip Marshall explained that the aviation pathway at Park City High School includes a certification class to prepare students for the Part 107 license, a drone-building class, and the capstone project course where students work with real clients. PCEF is proud to support aviation with a Classroom Grant.
PCEF provides funding to Real World Learning, like the Aviation program at Park City High School.
The program includes a private pilot ground school, a flight simulator lab, and drone certification courses. Students can take Aviation 1 and 2 together, forming a yearlong private pilot ground school. Marshall, a flight instructor with 18 years of experience, ensures that students leave prepared for the next step in their aviation journey.
The Park City High School Robotics Club on Saturday hosted 17 other teams from around the state to test their engineering and collaboration skills in the last event before the state championship on Friday in Cedar City.
The robots, software, computers and parts cost about $5,000 each. PCEF donors support Robotics as part of our Real World Learning initiative - one of eight signature initiatives.
On February 6, the Eccles Theater at Park City High School buzzed with conversation as parents, guardians, students, and community members gathered for a special screening of Screenagers, a documentary diving into the effects of excessive screen time, from social media to video games. Hosted by PCEF and coordinated by Larissa Fomuke, the event community together to reflect on digital habits and explore how parents can better support the next generation in navigating the ever-present world of technology. Following the movie, the Ingrid Whitley, President and CEO of PCEF moderated a panel discussion with local education experts.
In March of 2024, the district signed a two-year agreement with the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights to resolve an investigation that found more than 180 incidents of harassment and discrimination at three local schools. The We All Belong kindness awards celebrate those students whose actions are modeling kindness to their school communities.The honors are handed out monthly at each of the district’s seven schools. At the end of the school year, a larger award, a $1,000 scholarship for a student and $2500 cash for an educator will be awarded.
CEO of Park City Community Foundation Joel Zarrow and PCSD's Caleb Fine (pictured). The Park City School District, in partnership with the Park City Community Foundation, has launched the "We All Belong Kindness Awards" to promote kindness among students and educators. The initiative aims to foster a culture of kindness beyond compliance. Monthly awards are given at the school level, with end-of-year grand champions receiving $1,000 scholarships for students and $2,500 stipends for educators.
Each PCSD school will select one student per month to receive an award. Grade-level teachers will choose the winners based on criteria outlined in the “We All Belong” initiative. The first round of student winners will be announced in February, with educator awards and grand prizes to follow at the end of the school year. The overall student winner will receive a scholarship, a teacher or faculty member will also be awarded for fostering the kindness culture in the district through this initiative.
Rebeca an Educator at Ecker Hill Middle School, involved with Latinos in Action at Ecker Hill Middle School, a PCEF board member, and community advocate.
The Park City Education Foundation is hosting a free film night featuring “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” at the Eccles Center Thursday.
PCEF, along with the PCCF and PCSD, are supporting the new 'We All Belong Kindness Awards' to promote kindness and community recognition. The Community Foundation is providing the funding through a gift to PCEF.
February's PCSD Newsletter includes: We All Belong Campaign, Kindness Awards, A Letter from the NEW Superintendent, PCSD's Wellness Plan, and more.
English and Spanish versions of the newsletter available at the link.
PCEF funds Real World Learning, one of its Eight Signature Initiatives. PCEF donors have provided over $350,000 in new equipment throughout the new CTE building at PCHS. Equipment including, kitchen smallwares for Culinary Arts - thermometers, zesters, pasta makers, and sifters – to name a few – ensuring success in the kitchen, and a future filled with possibility in the culinary industry.
Welcome and congratulations to PCEF Board Member Lyndsay Huntsman, PCSD's new Superintendent!
Lyndsay stated, "As I begin my journey as your superintendent, I’m committed to longevity — not only in the success of our schools, but also in the relationships and trust we build together. My vision is to develop a stable and enduring presence within the district, where long-term collaboration, consistent leadership, and a shared dedication to equity and excellence become the foundation of our collective growth."
PCEF, along with the PCCF and PCSD, are supporting the new 'We All Belong Kindness Awards' to promote kindness and community recognition. The Community Foundation is providing the funding through a gift to PCEF.
“It’s crucial for us to foster an environment where every student not only feels included but valued," said Ingrid Whitley, Park City Education Foundation President and CEO.
The Park City School District announced the launch of the We All Belong Kindness Award in partnership with the Park City Community Foundation and the Park City Education Foundation. The Community Foundation is providing the funding through a gift to PCEF.
“As an organization deeply committed to equity and inclusion, supporting this award was a natural fit,” said Ingrid Whitley, the president and CEO of the Park City Education Foundation. “It’s crucial for us to foster an environment where every student not only feels included but valued.”
PCEF, along with the PCCF and PCSD, have announced the new 'We All Belong Kindness Awards' to promote kindness and community recognition. The Community Foundation is providing the funding through a gift to PCEF.
“It’s crucial for us to foster an environment where every student not only feels included but valued," said Ingrid Whitley, Park City Education Foundation President and CEO.
PCEF donors have funded $350,000 of CTE equipment in the new CTE building and classrooms at PCHS, investing in Real World Learning.
Ingrid Whitley, President and CEO of PCEF, highlighted the importance of the district’s investment in CTE programs. “The Anatomage table is an incredible example of the state-of-the-art learning tools available to our students,” Whitley said. “What’s even more impressive are the myriad tools and equipment across many CTE subjects that ensure student learning is at a professional level—from airplane simulators to dozens of anatomical parts to the top-of-the-line professional kitchen. These facilities, and the best teachers around, are ensuring our students have pathways to college or career—careers that are available right here in Park City.”
Park City High School students Garrett Moreno, left, and Taylor Bergman worked on developing critical thinking-based history games through the Park City Centers for Advanced Professional Studies, or PCCAPS, program.
PCCAPS is supported by PCEF donors through a Classroom Grant.
Alec Lebwohl, a sophomore, and Shiva Minter, a junior at Park City High School are members of the Speech & Debate team. They came to tell the Park City Council of their love for Main Street, their hopes for its future, and that frankly, they see it slipping. Something must be done. They endorsed the broad vision of the Main Street committee formed through discussions since last May that culminated in the Main Street Area Plan.
They both serve on Park City High School’s student council. Minter is the junior class president, and Lebwohl is the sophomore class president.
PCEF supports Speech & Debate with a Classroom Grant.
PCEF President and CEO Ingrid Whitley and Vice President of Advancement Jen Billow provide an update on programs offered by the foundation including new Preschool spaces at Jeremy Ranch and McPolin Elementary schools which opened this year.
Preschool is supported by PCEF donor funding and is one of PCEF's Eight Signature Initiatives.
Two Park City High School Park City Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS) program students helped develop interactive history games for middle and high schoolers. The games not only teach kids about history, but how to think for themselves.
Taylor Bergman and Garrett Moreno were selected to help Victoria Sanders and her Wyoming-based company Elephanta Education by developing and testing history games for middle and high school classrooms. Bergman, a junior, said the mission was simple: create games for students, by students.
PCCAPS is supported by PCEF donors through a Classroom Grant.
Park City Education Foundation will hold a free screening of the film “Screenagers” — a documentary exploring struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction that offers solutions to help kids find balance — at the Eccles Center on Feb. 6 from 5-7 p.m.
Anyone is invited, including parents, kids and community members.
