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.
The Kamas City Events Center housed the festivities where families gathered, warmly greeting one another and some old friends reunited after being apart for school.
Bright Futures is a comprehensive, multi-year program that supports Park City’s first-generation students from 10th grade through college graduation. Most students begin with the Park City High School Dream Big classes, which offer a year-round college-readiness curriculum.
Together, Dream Big and Bright Futures guide students through every step of the college journey: choosing the right school, applying, budgeting, securing scholarships, understanding financial aid, and more. The program offers individualized coaching, peer support and financial assistance.
As students progress, Bright Futures helps them navigate real-world challenges as a steady companion aiming to ensure long-term success in college.
First-generation students often face unique challenges on their educational journeys, such as financial barriers, family responsibilities and limited familiarity with the higher education system — all of which can jeopardize their path to a degree.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 24% of first-generation students earn a bachelor’s degree within six years of starting college, compared to 59% of their continuing-generation peers.
Through its program, Bright Futures helps students navigate a clearer path to success.
Lindsay Carreto, Bright Futures High School program coordinator and program alum herself, said that seeing the behind-the-scenes work gave her a new appreciation for those who supported her as a student. Now, being on the staff side, she values building relationships with students, creating lasting memories and being there to support them through their journey.
Carreto works directly with students throughout their high school careers, offering mentorship, one-on-one guidance and more. She said it is rewarding is to see them start as sophomores, grow into juniors and eventually become seniors — witnessing their growth, maturity and the passion they carry throughout the journey.
“They all do it for their families, for themselves too. But the dedication that they have to their families is so inspiring.” Carreto said. “This is why I did it too. And it’s like, as a collective first-gen, that’s why you’re here, because your parents gave you this opportunity, and even though they’re teenagers, they all know that, and they love their parents and appreciate the sacrifices that they made.”
As the evening program began celebrating this year’s all-women class of graduating students, the room quickly filled with emotion — a powerful mix of pride, joy and heartfelt reflection palpable even to newcomers.
Dania Pantaleon, one of the honored students, addressed the room with a speech expressing gratitude to her family, teachers and friends.
“One stage ends and another begins. With this mindset, I feel honored to continue my education at Utah State University this fall pursuing my master’s in human resources,” She said. “An achievement I once thought was unachievable that brings me one step closer to fulfilling my dream, supporting my mother and inspiring other first generation students to persevere despite the odds stacked against us.”
Pantaleon thanked those who had stood by her side, noting that despite all the challenges she endured, she wouldn’t change anything about her journey. She emphasized her belief that “everything happens for a reason,” crediting this mindset with giving her the resilience and determination to overcome obstacles.
“I tend to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow,” she said. “Most importantly, I plan to cherish every moment with loved ones because life is unpredictable and we never know when we might lose those closest to us.”
Students were called up one by one, each approaching the front of the room to cheerful applause from all those gathered to celebrate their achievements. Families joined their grads and took the opportunity to express their pride in their accomplishments, sharing embraces and words of encouragement.
“I especially want to thank (Bright Futures), which is helping each one of our children,” said Natividad Vasquez, Pantaleon’s mother. “Congratulations to all of them and congratulations to Dania. I’m very proud of her because she has worked hard and followed her dreams, and through it all, they’ve picked themselves up after every fall.”
As some students prepare to pursue graduate degrees and others step into the workforce ready to make their mark, the event served as a meaningful milestone in their academic journeys — celebrating all they have accomplished so far.
To learn more about the Bright Futures program, visit pcef4kids.org/programs/bright-futures.html