PRESS ROOM
Thanks to Park City Mountain and Vail Resort EpicPromise, more than 160 community members registered for the auction, sparking bidding wars that raised a combined $70,000 across the 12 chairs.
Christy Rothkopf, whose winning bid supported PCEF, came prepared with contingencies to secure a chair — and a backup for where to place it, depending on how well it would hold up to the weather. “I’m really here to support our community nonprofits, and I love the idea of coming away with a chair. I have my eyes pretty set on a few favorites,” she said.
PCEF collaborated with Scout Maziraz, artist and graduate of PCHS’s class of 2025. Maziraz’s art was also featured in the Canyons Village Gondola Art Stroll least ski season, celebrating Park City’s Olympic legacy. “It worked out pretty spontaneously, and was such an honor to have a student really involved with this. It’s all his vision and we’re so excited to have him as our partner,” said PCEF's CEO, Ingrid Whitley.
Across the country, music programs are often under-funded, but PCSD is working in partnership with PCEF to change that narrative locally. A new initiative launched last year has brought professional musicians directly into local classrooms, offering private and small-group lessons to nearly 300 string students in grades 6–12. For the second year, PCSD has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants.
PCEF is proud to fund meaningful programs throughout our schools and every student journey! “They serve different purposes, but the goal is common between all of them, in that they'll share the goal of helping first-gen students.” -Graduate Gabe Villanueva says of Dream Big, Latinos in Action and Bright Futures programs
Park City Mountain will auction 41 retired Sunrise chairlift two-seaters to raise money to benefit 12 local no-profits. PCEF is lucky to be one of the chosen beneficiaries where all auction proceeds from the sale of our artist-inspired chair lift will benefit our mission.
Staff and students were honored with the district’s first Kindness Awards Tuesday, June 3. The Park City Community Foundation, PCEF and the PCSD started the awards this school year to celebrate kind, inclusive, and empathetic behavior throughout the district at each school.
“As a district, we believe this is more than an award. It’s a reminder of who we are and who we strive to be,” said Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman. “It celebrates those who break barriers, build belonging and champion a culture where everyone belongs.” PCSD initiated the Kindness Awards this season supported by PCEF and the Park City Community Foundation.
The Kindness Awards launched this school year honors people who foster kindness and belonging across the district’s seven schools. Monthly winners were selected at each campus, and a committee reviewed those nominees to choose districtwide honorees.PCSD initiated the Kindness Awards this season supported by PCEF and the Park City Community Foundation.
The RC League program is now in its fourth year and offers fifth grade students the opportunity to design, build, and race RC cars in a hands-on, team-based environment. Over 100 students participated this year from the four schools. This program is made possible thanks to PCEF donors through a Classroom Grant.
Park City High School students are using new artificial intelligence-based pilot training software in aviation classes. The software simulates air traffic control. The software purchase was made possible through a PCEF Classroom Grant.
Park City students – a goal worth running toward every day of the year. PCEF donors help raise $250,000 for Park City students and classrooms.
PCEF provided a grant to purchase EV the kit from Switch Vehicles, a California-based company dedicated to providing hands-on engineering projects for students. Construction began in August under the supervision of CTE teacher Brad Gannon, who offers engineering classes to students. PCEF's generous donors support the PCCAPS program.
“We received the vehicle in August thanks to a grant from the Park City Education Foundation and Perkins V career-tech dollars,” teacher Brad Gannon said, standing beside the bare-metal frame. “It’s a 1,400-pound kit we can tear down and rebuild each semester, so every group gets the full experience.” PCEF's generous donors support the PCCAPS program.
The participants of the 16th annual Running with Ed fundraiser didn’t let the rain dampen their enthusiasm to support Park City teachers, students and schools on Saturday, May 17. PCEF didn’t make the goal of $325,000, the relay race fundraiser topped $240,000 with more donations still coming in for the next couple of weeks.
TMJH has stood for more than 40 years as a rite of passage for generations of students matriculating through the Park City School District, but the current cohort will be the last as the building is set to close at the end of the school year. This year's Running with Ed leg focused its exchange on the theme “Running Through Memory Lane," with a tribute to the school's culture of caring.
The streets and trails of Park City will be filled with color, costumes, and community spirit this Saturday, May 17, as Running with Ed—a relay race and major fundraiser for the Park City Education Foundation—returns for its 2025 edition, and the 16th year of the race.
PCSD's elementary debaters had five top-10 finishes at the Utah state debate championship. The elementary debate program operates under the district’s Program for Academically Creative Education and receives funding support from PCEF donors.
“Bright Futures was built on the belief that every first-gen student deserves the tools to thrive and to pursue their post-secondary goals,” said Ingrid Whitley, president and CEO of the foundation. “By embedding support into the school day, we’re honoring that mission while reaching more students than ever.” Since its launch in 2015, Bright Futures has served roughly 200 students, recording a 100 percent college-acceptance rate and a 64 percent college-graduation rate.
Expanded eligibility and in-school counseling aim to reach the 200-plus high schoolers previously left out of the support program. Since 2015, Bright Futures has served approximately 200 students with a 100 percent college-acceptance rate and a 64 percent college-graduation rate. The program currently counts 25 alumni with degrees, 66 students enrolled in college and 85 high-school participants.
Park City Education Foundation President and CEO Ingrid Whitley and Vice President of Advancement Jen Billow share updates on their Running With Ed event which hopes to raise $325,000 for classroom funding.
Seven PCSD teachers were selected as this year's Excellent Educator Award Winners. This long standing tradition is supported by PCEF, and funded by the Doilney and Louis families.
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 May PCSD Newsletter includes: the We All Belong Campaign, the Excellent Educator Awards, Battle of the Books at EHMS, Special Education Success, Running with Ed is May 17th, and more.
English and Spanish versions of the newsletter available at the link.
Seven teachers across the Park City School District were honored with Excellent Educator Awards. Each school’s faculty, staff, and administrators vote on the honor, which comes with a $3,000 cash award funded by the Doilney and Louis families through PCEF. The PC Bands’ New Orleans‑style jazz ensemble led the surprise procession into every campus, where entire student bodies gathered to watch the reveal.
Mr. Ed is retiring at the end of the school year, Running with Ed celebrated 16 years May 17th, and there a new Equity Advancement Cohort to celebrate diversity and equity initiatives.
Regular‑rate registration for the PCEF's annual Running with Ed(ucation) relay has been extended through May 9th, giving residents an extra week to sign up for the May 17th “fun‑draiser” that supports classroom grants across the Park City School District.
Students in the 11th and 12th grades at the Park City High School have opportunities to experience what their fellow community members at the Intermountain Park City Hospital and the Park City Fire District do daily. The Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS) educates students toward readiness for career success in many industries, including medical, fire, and physical therapy. In doing so, a win-win-win study structure partnership is created.
PCEF donors help fund the PCCAPS program at the high schoool.
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.
