Allison Robinson is headed to Philly!
At First Tee, we help kids discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do. Using golf as our platform, we believe in creating spaces of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life.
This July, First Tee Headquarters is hosting a new national participant event, First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ninety Six participants nationwide were selected to attend this five-day learning and empowerment academy. They will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. Participants will be facilitated in engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by nationally trained First Tee coaches. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in collaboration with DE&I leadership in the local host community.
This Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
Being one of ninety six to attend this all expenses paid opportunity is no simple feat.
Participants must first meet minimum requirements regarding their time spent in First Tee programs here in the Sandhills, age and grade in school. From there, the application process includes a school and community activities chart, golf resume, personal biography, three essays, and a letter of recommendation.
In the biography portion of Allison’s application, she was asked to explain how First Tee has helped equip her to take on new experiences and challenges. She explained, “throughout my time with First Tee, I have been able to power through my anxiety, become more outgoing, and gain a community of friends that I now call my family.”
Continuing, “when I first began, my favorite life skill to exercise was introducing myself to others and giving a firm handshake! To begin our class, coach would divide us into two lines facing one another, we would go down the line and practice greeting one another with a handshake, our name and one interesting fact about ourselves. This helped me to strengthen my people skills and my ability to talk not only to donors, coaches, fellow participants, but also anybody that I meet in my daily life.”
A First Tee kiddo, and now teen alum, Allison will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the fall where she plans to Major in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
But, for now, she’ll close out her eight year run by taking advantage of every experience, challenge and life lesson First Tee has to offer while continuing to prepare for her next opportunity.
A big congratulations to Allison Robinson from the entire First Tee – Sandhills community!