25 Bright Futures Students Are

 🎓 PCHS Graduates! 🎓

“My Bright Futures experience has been phenomenal! They’ve provided me with the necessary tools to overcome life's obstacles and answered questions about various college majors and programs offered at my university. Bright Futures has changed my life!”

- Brian Rea, PCHS Class of 2025

25 Bright Futures students will receive their hard-earned Park City High School diplomas on June 6.

Many of the upcoming grads shared what's in store for the next few years (click below to check it out!)...

Most of the grads participated in Dream Big classes and Latinos in Action as well, taking advantage of all the programming offered to support first-gen student dreams!

Congratulations, graduates - we are so proud of you!

PCHS First-Gen Senior Dinner Celebration!

The PCHS First-Generation senior dinner was held on June 4th. This tradition was started by PCHS teacher Anna Williams 20 years ago! Six students celebrated then; today nearly 30 students and their families enjoyed the festivities courtesy of O'Shucks and PCEF. Many of the students took part in Latinos in Action, Dream Big, and Bright Futures throughout high school, with several being LIA members since 6th grade!

Thank you to the Park City GFWC Athenaeum Club for their support of the dorm baskets, ensuring every first-gen student heading to college is well-prepared for move-in day!

PCEF continues to enhance our support for first-generation students at Park City High School (PCHS)!

PCEF has traditionally staffed and run the high school portion of the Bright Futures program outside of the school day. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, PCEF will fund a certified, licensed counselor position inside PCHS to support every first-generation ninth- through twelfth-grade student. This is in addition to the support of their traditional counselor. It will allow access to significant support within school hours – critical for students with packed extracurricular schedules, commitments to help family, and after-school jobs.

First-generation students will now receive additional support automatically; they will no longer need to opt in to access it.

Bright Futures’ college support next year remains the same as in recent years. PCEF will continue to staff and fund a full-time College Program Manager who coaches and supports students in the Bright Futures program through their post-secondary journeys. The organization will also continue to provide financial support to students in the Bright Futures program in the form of emergency and need-based financial aid and scholarships.

Click here to find answers to common questions about our program’s growth and new initiatives, designed to ensure that every first-generation student has the support they need to thrive.

What is PCEF's Bright Futures?

Bright Futures changes lives by supporting motivated first-generation students as they work to get to and through post-secondary education.

The PCEF Bright Futures program walks alongside these first-gen students as they make their post-secondary graduation dreams a reality. 

Nationwide - just 24% of first-gen college students make it to the college graduation finish line. Bright Futures goal is to change those odds for Park City students.

Your generosity is an investment into our future: it changes students' lives and economic outcomes for generations to come.

First Generation Task Force at PCHS

Through Bright Futures and the counselors, teachers and programming at PCHS, a full spectrum of support is provided for students who are the first in their families to go to college. 

Dream Big and Bright Futures work hand in hand. Dream Big is an award winning year-round PCHS curriculum preparing students for the academic rigor of AP classes, college concurrent enrollment classes, and the ACT.

The Latinos in Action classes from 6th-12th grade teach leadership and community service skills, focusing on the strength of students' bilingual capabilities and multicultural experiences.

Want to Know More About PCEF?

Be sure to check out the PCEF website for information on the nearly $2 million in programs we fund in our district.