“The Springs Resort is always looking at ways to help support the youth in our community,” according to Tom Inman, The Springs Resort General Manager. “From internships, scholarships, career day presentations, and educational field trips through the geothermal wetlands. Our guest, associate, and community vitality are paramount to our operations.” With Pueblo Community College (PCC) partnering with Pagosa Medical Center and Visiting Angels by bringing their first Health and Agricultural Professional Program to Pagosa this Fall, “it is rewarding and impactful to contribute a $1,000 scholarship toward kicking off this new college-level program.”

This year, an opportunity surfaced for The Springs Resort to further community involvement when owner David Dronet and Tom Inman connected with Emily Lashbrooke, Executive Director of Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC). They asked how The Springs Resort could get involved, and she expressed a scholarship would be the best way to support PCC and the launch of their new program. Investing in a program with long-term community impact for the next generation of Pagosa Springs was an easy choice; a scholarship for this first-year program was born.

It was easy to decide where the funds would come from with the upcoming popular yearly event “Pints and Pools” on the horizon. Inman states, “Each year, The Springs Resort donates proceeds from the event to a local non-profit. Once we heard how the scholarship would impact our local high school graduates, it became an easy alignment for us to support in any way possible.” So, The Springs Resort committed to donating $1,000 in proceeds from the event toward the scholarship.

As explained by Lashbrooke, these specific careers were chosen for Pagosa Springs because “these programs are currently in high need for the future workforce in Archuleta county. Since this is their introductory year, it will take some time to build the PCC programs. Still, it creates an opportunity for current high school graduates to stay local and start their education with minimal cost.”

Those pursuing the healthcare program will be able to focus their medical degrees in CAN, EMT, LPN, Paramedic, and Medical Assistant. Within the Agricultural Program, students can direct their focus to Crop Science, Vet Tech, Animal Science, Range Manager, and Ag Welding.

To apply for the scholarship, “candidates will write an essay expressing their need and strategy for achieving their desired career, “explained Lashbrooke. “There will also be an application process with the recipient chosen by a PCC and PSCDC personnel committee.” The evaluation will take place this summer, and the recipient will be awarded in August for a September start.