Park City High School senior Jose Vazquez Colmenero admits he didn’t care much about school during his freshman year. Now, he’s preparing to join his older sister at the University of Utah.
Born and raised in the Park City area, Vazquez Colmenero spent his entire life in the community he now prepares to leave. But his path through high school wasn’t always straightforward.
After struggling academically during his freshman year, a conversation with his mother over the summer changed his perspective.
She told him about growing up in Mexico, where she was forced to leave school after third grade to help support her family. Education, she explained, had never been a choice for her.
“That kind of changed my mindset toward school,” he said. “I started taking it seriously.”
His grades improved, his study habits changed and his goals became clearer, driven in part by a desire to honor the sacrifices his family made.
Programs like Bright Futures and Dream Big, part of the Park City Education Foundation, became an important part of that transformation. Introduced to him through school outreach and family connections, those programs helped him navigate academics, scholarships and the college application process.
“It’s nice to have guidance,” he said. “They help with the typical subjects of college, scholarships and all of that.”
For first-generation students — someone whose parents or guardians did not complete their education — that kind of support can make a major difference, he said.
“There’s a lack of knowledge on the American education system: deadlines, fees, where to go,” he said. “Doing that by yourself, you wouldn’t really know where to go without a program such as Bright Futures guiding students across that.”
The program also introduced him to students with similar goals and ambitions.
“I created so many memories with these people,” he said. “Our values kind of formed together.”
This spring, his work earned recognition beyond the classroom. At the Park City High School scholarship awards assembly, Vazquez Colmenero received three scholarships, including one from Bright Futures and the Park City Community Foundation’s Eileen G. Bailey Back to Our Roots scholarship fund.
He plans to attend the University of Utah in the fall to major in medical laboratory sciences. His interest in medicine has grown over several years and was partly influenced by his sister, who shares similar interests.
But much of Vazquez Colmenero’s motivation still comes back to his mom.
“My mother would feel bad if I didn’t pursue college. … She wants me to be happy as well, but I want her to be happy as well. So that’s why I decided to keep going down the path of education,” he admitted.
Making his family proud and inspiring other students in similar situations to follow that same path is top of mind as he continues his journey.
Looking back, he says one of the biggest lessons he learned was to build strong habits early.
“Explore different study habits,” he said. “Find what works for you while you still have time.”
He also emphasizes balance.
“Make a schedule,” he said. “Focus on your time management.”
As graduation approaches, he said he’s looking forward to what comes next. He’s excited to meet new people and enjoy “the college life,” but more than anything, he said he’s excited to keep learning.
“During that switch between freshman year, I grew to love school. It’s something I’m good at. It makes me feel good. I like learning,” he said. “So I’d say the coursework and the classes I’m taking in the fall, I’m excited for those.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Vazquez Colmenero said he will decide whether to pursue medical school or a laboratory-based career. For now, he says he’s ready for the next chapter.