Author: sryan

Thank you to those of you who attended our first Fore the Kids fundraiser at Five Iron Golf featuring Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs

Because of your generosity and support, we raised $27,000 in net proceeds for First Tee Greater Chicago! Moreover, nearly 200 people learned more about our work and our mission. Through your generous contributions, you have enabled us to use the game of golf as a platform to provide character-building and life skills lessons to tens of thousands of our area young people. Golf is truly more than a game. As you learned when you heard the stories of Raquel, Ahmad and Roberto, First Tee with its platform of Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits instills values in young people such as honor, integrity, mindfulness, and respect. We are currently reaching 50,000 Chicago area youth on an annual basis through our on-course, in-school, and after-school programming. If you are interested in getting more involved with First Tee Greater Chicago: To learn more about volunteering with us, please visit our website or email our Assistant Program Director, Erika Shavers. Join other young professionals in supporting and building awareness for First Tee through our Ambassadors Council. For more information, please visit contact Jane Seder at [email protected]. Photos from the event will be posted to our social media accounts next week, make sure you follow us to receive all the latest updates! Special thanks to Ian and Chris Happ and the Happ Family Fund for their support of First Tee Greater Chicago! With sincere thanks, Lea Jesse Chief Executive Officer First Tee Greater Chicago

Congratulations to the six First Tee of Greater Chicago participants chosen to play in The First Tee of Greater New Orleans National Golf Tournament!

We’re excited to announce that six of our participants have been selected to participate at First Tee Greater New Orleans’ National Tournament Sponsored by Hancock Whitney Bank, December 19th through December 21st at Chateau Golf & Country Club! Ahmad Raoul Ahmad, 15, has been participating in First Tee Greater Chicago for eight years. A Sophomore at Mount Carmel High School, He is a member of the Varsity golf team, speech team, and robotics team.  Ahmad has played on the Varsity golf team since his Freshman year and was voted Top Rookie as a Freshman; and Low Gross this year. As a Freshman, he won the St. Rita Freshman Invite at Glenwoodie Golf Course. This year, he advanced to Sectionals missing State by only four strokes.  Ahmad’s favorite core value is perseverance because it can be used both on and off the golf course. “I use it on the golf course because if I am having a bad round, I do not let a score, shot, or hole mess up my game, I have to persevere. In school, I persevere to stay engaged and work hard to maintain my 3.8 GPA.” “I am excited to return the New Orleans in December and compete in First Tee New Orleans’ National Golf Tournament again. Last year, I was not happy with my results, but still had tons of fun while it lasted. This year, my goal is to improve on my scores from last year, meet and make new friends, and have even more fun than I did last year!”   Madison Miller Madison, 15, has been a First Tee participant for 5 years. A sophomore at Saint Ignatius College Prep, she has been on the Ignatius golf team for the past two years. Recently she held a spot on the Varsity Girls Golf Team, that won the IHSA Sectionals.  Madison’s favorite First Tee Core Value is perseverance: “The need to persevere has been a constant theme throughout my life. I’ve faced many academic and personal hardships, and sometimes it feels easier to just give up. But I’ve learned to be resilient and not allow my struggles to disable me.” “I am extremely excited for this opportunity. I don’t get to travel often and I’ve never been to New Orleans. It’ll be nice to escape the harsh winter of Chicago, but best of all, I get to compete in my favorite sport while I’m there. This is an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to see what it entails.”    Mallorie Clifton Malorie, 15, has been in the First Tee program for 4 years. A Sophomore at Marist High School, she plays for both Varsity and Junior Varsity girls golf. Additionally, she plays in many Illinois Junior Golf Association events (IJGA) in the summer. Malorie’s favorite core value is integrity: “Golf is based off your honesty, and you need integrity to be honest. You can also use it for way more than just golf; you can use it in your everyday life.” “I am so excited for this opportunity to play golf and work on my leadership skills, plus I’ve never been to New Orleans. So, this trip is going to be super fun!”   Tristan Knoll Tristan, 13, has been a participant with First Tee for five years. He attends Woodland Middle School in Gurnee, IL. He competed for his school at the IESA sectionals for the last two years. His favorite First Tee Core Value is Perseverance: “When I have a bad hole, I am able to persevere through my mistakes and start fresh on the next tee box.” “I am very excited to have this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to it!   Aidan Vazquez Aidan has been involved in First Tee Greater Chicago program since second grade. He is a sophomore at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The lessons and values learned in the First Tee program helped him qualify for his high school golf team the past two years.  Aidan’s favorite core value is perseverance: “I’ve had to use this skill in life, school and with my golf game. I was born severely premature, at 25 weeks, and have always had to work harder to catch up to my peers. I had milestones to catch up to with the help of my parents. Also, math has been a bit challenging over the years. Hard work and perseverance have helped me achieve goals. Finally, every time a golfer hits the ball something new happens. Sometimes it’s the best shot of your life, and other times it isn’t. Going up to make that shot with a clear head and knowing I need to keep trying helps me while I play golf. I may not always have the best score, but I try to persevere each time I go out to play a round so I don’t give up and quit. First Tee has helped me with this core value.” “I was surprised to learn that my coach, Herb Searfoss, nominated me for the opportunity to play at the National First Tee Tournament in New Orleans. I’m proud, and honored, to be recognized for my hard work, dedication, and showing the core values on and off the golf course. This is a chance of a lifetime experience. I look forward to meeting new people and having fun at the tournament.”   Andrew Cadiena Andrew, 15 years old, is a sophomore at Warren Township High School. Andrew has been playing golf for 8 years and been with First Tee for 7 years.  “I recently played at Olympia Fields with a few coaches and competed in the Mini Masters Tournament at Greenshire Golf Course in Waukegan. My lowest score ever achieved was 85 when I played in the Philippines”.  Andrew’s favorite core value is honesty: “I am always up front with people and tell them the truth”. “I am very excited to go out and play in New Orleans. It will be my first time leaving home to go on a golf trip to compete in a tournament in another state. The warmer weather of New Orleans will be nice to play in, since it is no longer summer in Illinois. I will also get to meet new First Tee coaches and other kids in the program from other states.”

First Tee Greater Chicago Names New Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, IL, August 8, 2019 — First Tee Greater Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer, Lea Jesse.  Through her years of business development and leadership experience at various high-profile consulting firms, banks, and most recently another Chicago area nonprofit, Lea Jesse brings a refreshing and unique set of skills to her new role that will greatly benefit First Tee Greater Chicago in the years to come.
“We are looking forward to the impact that Lea will make for the youth that we serve. We are confident in her leadership style, ability to propel our organization further, and confidence to deepen our roots through the Chicago area,”
-Pat Goss, President of the organization’s Board of Directors. Most recently, Lea Jesse served as the Director of the Patrons Program at Chicago’s Big Shoulders Fund, a nonprofit that provides support for local inner-city Catholic schools. During her tenure, she used her business expertise to pave the path to long-term success for their school networks. Most notably, she rebuilt and expanded their Fellowship Program, which improved school enrollment rates and began attracting high-quality talent from universities all over the country. This organizational restructuring led to many former Fellows working in local schools.
“While having been exposed to golf later in life, I’ve learned it truly is a great forum for connecting people, communities, and causes. The game teaches the principles of honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. I am excited to help First Tee Greater Chicago enter this new chapter in its history. At the end of the day, this is about so much more than golf,”
-Lea Jesse, CEO of First Tee Greater Chicago. In the corporate world, she established herself as an expert in Donor-Advised Funds by reinvigorating a previously-defunct program called the Charitable Giving Fund at J.P. Morgan, building relationships and introducing brand-new product features that tripled the program’s assets. Noted for her ability to build relationships, Lea Jesse understands the importance of interacting with key organizational stakeholders from the children served by programming to donors to board members and the others in-between. She joins First Tee Greater Chicago at a pivotal time in the organization’s history as it takes on two new projects, a strategic plan, and aggressive fundraising goals to reach more of Chicago’s youth.

About First Tee Greater Chicago

First Tee is an international youth development initiative of the World Golf Foundation and is supported by the leading organizations in golf. First Tee Greater Chicago, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is one of nearly two hundred chapters located throughout the country and in five international locations dedicated to impacting 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. The Greater Chicago chapter is in its seventeenth year of reaching young people through its core program, the Life Skills Experience, as well as First Tee National School and DRIVE programs.

Katarina Sheirok Selected for First Tee’s National Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy

Katarina (KAT) Sheirok -Teen Selected for First Tee’s National Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy

96 teens tapped nationally to attend academy in Boise, Idaho July 24-30

Chicago, IL – July 22nd – Katarina Sheirok from First Tee of Greater Chicago is headed to the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Boise, Idaho July 24-30. Katarina will join more than 90 junior golfers, ages 14-17, from First Tee chapters around the country at the youth leadership event.

Hosted by First Tee headquarters, the academy recognizes and rewards exceptional teen participants who are prepared to build upon leadership skills introduced through programs at First Tee chapters. Top coaches in First Tee’s network deliver the golf and leadership instruction that incorporate the First Tee’s Nine Core Values in a concentrated, week-long event. Participants build skills preparing them for success beyond the golf course. They will experience championship golf, career exploration, dorm living at Boise State University and meeting other teens from around the country sharing golf as their common bond.

“I am so excited to have been chosen for this opportunity. Since being a participant in The First Tee my coaches, teachers, family and friends have helped me to strengthen my self-confidence.” – Kat Sheirok

Sheirok, 16, is a junior at Trinity High School in River Forest, IL. Active in First Tee of Greater Chicago for 7 years, she participates as a junior coach and volunteers in several chapter events. She also volunteers at the cat animal shelter near her school, Alter server at church and many other community and school activities.

“Kat has a great personality and interacts very well with others. She is always eager to help and exhibits leadership skills in everything she does.” – Coach Erika

The First Tee is a youth development organization dedicated to helping youth builds character through the game of golf. Through in-school and after-school programs, it helps shape young people’s lives by reinforcing values like integrity, respect, and perseverance embedded in the game of golf.

For more information, visit www.firstteegreaterchicago.org To request an interview with Sheirok call 773-502-0259 and ask for Assistant Program Director Erika Shavers

About First Tee of Greater Chicago

The First Tee www.firstteegreaterchicago.org is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its beginning, The First Tee of Greater Chicago has expanded to reach 50,000+ young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. First Tee of Greater Chicago is one of 145 First Tee chapters across the United States and select international locations.

Media Contact: Shannon Lucas, 630-537-0556 [email protected]

Abdel Raoul Selected to Attend Coca Cola America’s Future Event

Congratulations Abdel Raoul on being selected to attend the Coca-Cola America’s Future event on September 19 – 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Selection Process This year we received 30 applications from participants around the country. Of that group, 5 semi-finalists of The First Tee have been invited to Atlanta for this wonderful opportunity. Applications were carefully evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • Short Answer Essay
  • Community, School, and Extracurricular Involvement
  • Letter of Recommendation
Scholarships Coca-Cola will conduct on-site interviews of the five semi-finalists during your visit to the 2018 TOUR Championship at East Lake Country Club. Final selection of the 2018 America’s Future Scholarship recipient will take place after the in-person interviews. You will be evaluated based on your in-person interview and behavior throughout the event. Coca-Cola executives will select one finalist as the 2018 America’s Future Scholarship recipient. The recipient will receive a one-time $5,000.00 scholarship provided they uphold the terms outlined in The First Tee Scholarship Contract.  The four remaining semi-finalists will receive $1,000.00 as a one-time award.