Bright Futures celebrates 2026 college graduates
Six former Park City students and now Bright Futures program alumni returned to Park City on Saturday to celebrate their college graduation. Together with friends and family, the students gathered at Whedon Family Ranch where the event took place this year.
Graduates, alongside their families, reflected on the work and support that led to the milestone.
For Jessica Hinojos, a graduating student who was asked to speak at the event, the moment was about more than her own accomplishment.
“I think I was most excited because my parents were going to be able to go,” Hinojos said. “I made sure that I made my speech in Spanish so that they could understand and also just to thank them.”
Hinojos said she also wanted to recognize the broader community of families who supported students along the way.
“I wanted to make sure that I expressed gratitude for not just my family, but for all of the families there,” she said. “We are graduating and we are where we are in life because of them.”
The Bright Futures program, part of the Park City Education Foundation, supports first-generation students from high school through college, offering guidance on financial aid, applications and campus resources.
Valeria Sandoval, Bright Futures college program manager and a first-generation college graduate herself, said the event reflected years of relationship-building with students.
“Coming into this role, it was really exciting to work with students who were facing similar challenges as I did,” she said. “It was really great. The relationship-building piece is my favorite.”
She praised the graduates for their drive that has led them to this success.
“Each of them bring really unique qualities,” she added. “They’re all very motivated students.”
Students in the program meet with Sandoval each semester for check-ins and to receive support navigating college systems.
“Fall semester, usually we just have a one on one to see how they’re doing, see if they need any extra support,” said Sandoval. “We talk about resources on their college campus, and then in the spring we focus on budgeting.”
Students who are in the program receive a $1,000 grant their senior year of high school to prepare them to attend their first year of college. That grant increases each year they are in the program for the next four years.
Hinojos reflected on the support that she said began in high school.
“I remember they were hosting an event where students could go in and see what the program was all about, and I attended,” she said. “Since that meeting, I kind of knew I wanted to join because it’s pretty hard to get the support you need.”
She said the program helped her navigate financial aid, college and scholarship applications before and throughout college.
Hinojos graduated from the University of Utah with an honors degree in political science and a minor in ethnic studies. She said scholarships and program support allowed her to complete her education without paying anything out of pocket.
Aside from guidance on how to navigate the higher education landscape, Hinojos said the program also provided support during more difficult moments, including a time when Hinojos said she felt lonely and decided to reach out to a program leader for support.
“I told her, ‘I’m really struggling. I can’t focus. I can’t get out of my room. I feel very lonely. I’m just really struggling,’” Hinojos recalled. “And she drove from Park City up here to Salt Lake just to talk with me.”
That became a defining moment for her as she found renewed energy to keep pursuing her dream.
“These programs are essential to minorities. I for sure wouldn’t have been where I am right now without them,” Hinojos said. “It’s not just about the financial support, which is a super huge part of it, but it’s about knowing that someone is there for you, that they want you to do better and they will guide you with everything you want to accomplish. They will be there, they will check up on you to make sure you’re doing OK and they will give you the resources so that you can do whatever you dream of.”
Hinojos is now one of the latest additions to the Wasatch Immigration Project team, where she is the office manager. She hopes to become an attorney one day and is well on track, having recently been accepted into the Legal Studies Master’s program at the University of Utah.
“Overall, it was such a beautiful event,” Sandoval said reflecting on Saturday’s celebration. “This year we had six graduates, next year it’s going to be a lot more. And it proves that students are continuing, students are wanting to go to school.”
The other graduates were Edwin Ramos who graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in aviation management; Estelle Meneses who completed her degree in nursing at Westminster University; and three others from the University of Utah: Emylee Palomino and Kenneth Vasquez, who both earned degrees in health and kinesiology; and Kevin Sanchez, who focused on film and media arts.
