Park City’s Bright Futures program helps two grads win full college rides

Bright Futures graduates Jessica Loya (left) and Isa (right). Photo: Park City Education Foundation

PARK CITY, Utah — Two Park City High School 2024 graduates, Jessica Loya and Isabella (Isa), have secured full-ride scholarships to Utah universities through the Park City Education Foundation’s Bright Futures program. The initiative aims to help first-generation and undocumented students overcome barriers to higher education.

Loya, a first-generation college student, encountered difficulties navigating the college application process. “I’m struggling to know,” she said, referring to her career path. “I’ve never had a specific passion or career that I’m drawn to. Maybe business or technology, but those are very different.”

For Isa, an undocumented student, the barriers were more complex.

“It’s hard to even think about going to college, there are so many barriers and things blocking us,” Isa said. “Not being able to get FAFSA is one of the biggest things. And the stigma around documentation is a major barrier.”

Despite these challenges, both students achieved notable success. Loya secured ten scholarships, including the Call to Action Foundation, U of U Flagship, and Bright Futures, fully funding her four years at the University of Utah.

Isa obtained six scholarships, including the First Ascent and Bright Futures, covering her education at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.

Both students attribute their success in part to the Bright Futures program. “It’s nice to know there are people I can email or text,” Loya said. “Overall, there’s great support from BF staff, the coordinators, and the community resources they bring in. But you connect with other students in your grade, which is so meaningful and helps you stay motivated.”

For Isa, the program offered mentorship opportunities. “Lindsay is a great mentor,” she said, referring to Lindsay Carreto, a Bright Futures alumna. “In the beginning, working with her brought a feeling of relatability: here’s someone who is like me, who has done what I want to do… Without her, without Bright Futures, I wouldn’t be here.”

The program also fostered peer support. “When we were doing applications and scholarships and essays, we talked a lot,” Loya recalled. “It helped to know how others were doing things; we’d share information and resources. It even helped to know others were struggling to do it all, too.”

Isa echoed this sentiment: “I just did it. I like doing things with people, and a lot of my friends were in Bright Futures with me, so a lot of it was fun. It wasn’t like a chore; Bright Futures gives you a sense of friendship and a bonding experience, which always makes it easier to do hard things.”

With their education funded, both students are planning their academic futures. Loya is exploring various fields through her coursework. “I’m taking finance, computer programming, and even a pre-law class. My schedule is interesting to me, and the content is interesting —I’ll see what it leads me to career-wise,” she explained.

For Isa, her achievement represents more than personal success.

“People see it as negative and something that needs to be hidden away – but putting it out there, saying ‘I’m undocumented and I’m getting my degree and continuing my education’ is really important,” she said.

Both students expressed a desire to give back. “These programs are so valuable because I have been helped, and now I want to help, too,” Loya said.

Isa hopes to inspire others in her community. “My main thing is to show my community that you can do it. Sometimes, we all need the motivation to do something. We are all capable of being where I am,” she said.

The Bright Futures program continues to support students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing higher education.