The First Ascent Scholars Program’s annual “Winter Celebration” serves as an opportunity for students and supporters to take a break, come together, and commemorate both academic achievements and the holiday season.

This year’s version of the event, though, was particularly meaningful, as it doubled as an official acknowledgement of the program’s 10th year of existence.

“First Ascent has become far more than a scholarship; it has become a community. More than 100 students have been part of this amazing program,” said Erica Rojas, Director of the Office of Transformative Student Experiences. “… But the true impact is the way this program has changed the futures of our students and alumni, and the ripple effect that it has created for their families and those around them — especially younger siblings who saw that path that their siblings took: ‘My brother or sister went to college; I can do that too.’”

So it was that current students, former students, Eccles School personnel, and program luminaries gathered together for a festive evening that included dinner, a dirty soda bar, an ugly sweater contest, and a white elephant gift exchange.

The unquestioned highlight of the evening, though, came when Kurt Dirks, dean of the Eccles School, revealed a surprise for First Ascent founders Jeff and Helen Cardon.

Rojas noted that the Cardons began with a question about higher education attainment gaps, and then had the courage to actually do something about it. Dirks praised the couple for taking action on “a powerful goal: To give high-achieving students with high financial need the opportunity to attend college.”

At that point, a video played featuring a trio of First Ascent alumni, who each recalled the life-changing news of being admitted to the program, recounted the special relationships they made, and recapped the highlights (and occasional misadventures) they encountered along the way.

Each had unique circumstances and took distinctive paths, but there was a shared sentiment among them in the end: First Ascent changed my life, and I am who I am now in part because of it.

After the audience laughed at the humorous moments and shed tears at the poignant ones, Dirks invited the Cardons up to the podium to receive a photo album containing pictures from First Ascent’s decade of existence.

“The one thing I’d say about First Ascent is, before it started, I didn’t know that I could love 100 people. And now I can. I learned that love is infinite — I truly love everyone here,” said Jeff. “… I can’t imagine our lives without First Ascent. It’s probably more important than anything I’ve done other than having kids and marrying Helen.”

“I just want to tell all the students that we get as much out of this as you do,” added Helen. “… And I just want to thank all the mentors who put in lots of hours, and people who donate money and really believe in this program.”

She then concluded with one last bit of encouragement to the students: “You’re all amazing, you can rock the world,” she said. “And that’s why you’re here.”

The First Ascent Scholars Program cultivates, encourages, and enables academically focused students with significant financial need to attend the Eccles School and connect with the University of Utah’s local and global community while reaching their full academic potential.