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The Jim Kane Scholarship Recipients for 2021 have been chosen!!

Congrats to all THREE amazing students!

Three Deserving First Tee – Coachella Valley will receive $2,000 scholarships towards higher education!

The 2021 Jim Kane Scholarship recipients for First Tee – Coachella Valley are Cameron Hartling, Trinity Hernandez and Caroline Wales. Each of these students will receive a $2,000 scholarship to be sent to the college or trade school of their choice!

The criteria for the Jim Kane Scholarship include the stipulation that a participant has completed their junior year in high school and has a 2.5 GPA or higher. The student must enroll at a college or University of his/her choice, however, Community Colleges and vocational schools where Associates Degree or Certification is earned are eligible schools. The student must have outstanding Personal Character, Sportsmanship, and Leadership Qualities and they must be a Current Participant of First Tee – Coachella Valley for no less than two years. Finally, the student must be a minimum of Birdie Certified in the Life Skills Program at First Tee – Coachella Valley.

This Scholarship is given once a year in remembrance of Board Member Jim Kane to First Tee – Coachella Valley’s top three most deserving participants. Jim was an amazing person who dedicated himself to the mission of First Tee and the young people in the Coachella Valley that are served. Not only is the decision to award the scholarship based on the ability of the students inside the classroom and on the golf course, but the quality that weighs the heaviest in the decision-making process for the committee is the participants character. What they have learned through First Tee – Coachella Valley and how these Life Skills and Core Values have been put into action in the
student’s life is the key for a student being rewarded with this outstanding gift towards their continued education.

The Application has 3 essay questions, below are some answers to the questions from the selected participants:

Cameron Hartling
“Being more comfortable in meeting new people is the largest help that the First Tee has given to me. Before taking First Tee classes I was shy and nervous to meet new people, now I am more comfortable. Many of the First Tee lessons are based around getting to know others and helping better your community. I have enjoyed volunteering in several First Tee events such as in fundraiser tournaments.
The First Tee has had a great impact on my life. It has given me many opportunities to meet new people, make new friends, and go to new places. One example of these opportunities is being chosen to attend the Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. I met several new people and I stayed at one of the dormitories at Boise State University. If I was not part of the First Tee I would not have had the opportunity to stay at a university and meet new people around the country who shared something in common.”

Trinity Hernandez
“When describing my experience with First Tee, I say the program is truly life changing! The program’s amazing coaches, volunteers, and core values have helped me become the person I am today. I’ve become more social by learning how to build relationships.
Without the relationships I’ve built with fellow participants and coaches, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with the sport. As golf is an individual sport, it was difficult for me to play at a young age, but once I joined First Tee classes, it was more fun learning about the game with other participants and learning from coaches I’ve had the honor of meeting. First Tee has taught me that golf can be fun, even when playing competitively.”

Caroline Wales
“As I advanced through the program, I began having opportunities to give back and share my First Tee story at gatherings and fundraising events. At first, I was really nervous to speak in front of large groups and converse and network
with the influential attendees. However, I stepped out of my comfort zone, and my public speaking and interpersonal skills flourished over time. First Tee encouraged me to overcome these challenges using strategies like Ask-Listen-Respond when conversing with attendees.
The relationships I developed at the chapter and national participant opportunities are invaluable and will be tremendous assets in the future. My First Tee coaches were dedicated to helping me improve more than just my golf game, mentoring me as a whole person from setting goals, networking, and creating a go-to-team.”

For more information on the Jim Kane Scholarship or
First Tee – Coachella Valley, visit FTCV.org.

OUR PURPOSE: Enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.

OUR MISSION: To impact the lives of young people by providing
educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

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