Summer Classes Resume

TFTSV is excited to deliver our Summer program and are thankful for the support and commitment of our participants, parents/guardians, and donors. Thanks to them, we have 375 participants registered for the Summer, and are able to deliver classes. The first 3 weeks in June will be optional, online Zoom classes and the final 5 weeks from July 7th to August 8th will be regular, in-person Golf Course classes. All 8 weeks of content will be delivered in the 5-week in-person classes. Maintaining safety is of upmost importance as we navigate uncertain times. We are following the safety guidelines put forth by the County, Parks and Recreation, and affiliate golf courses. Our final policies will be posted as we get closer to July 7th. To learn more about our programs and future seasons please visit our Youth Classes page. On Saturday June 6th, we held our first ever parent orientation on Zoom. We had a great turnout and discussed safety procedures, updated class policies, local and national opportunities, and provided details on our class structure and purpose. Parent/guardian involvement is a key component of our program. Parents/guardians are encouraged to get involved, volunteer, and help participants absorb the life lessons. To get involved as a volunteer coach, help at our upcoming fundraisers, or help with our check-in table please click here.

Alumni Returning as Coaches

This summer we are fortunate to have 5 TFTSV alumni returning as coaches – Sapna Desai, Gracie Lacy, Andres Herrera, Noah Covarrubias, and Erica Lam. All alumni progressed to our top Ace level and have 7 or more years associated with our chapter. They are in a unique position to lead by example. Having the experience as a participant, and volunteer coach provides them with tools to connect with their students. They are carrying on a tradition of alumni returning to our chapter to give back and make a positive difference. TFTSV believes positive youth development happens through a meaningful, quality relationship between the coach and participant. Mentor coaches are critical to ensuring our participants have an optimum and enjoyable learning environment. Therefore, we are always looking for high quality volunteers to serve as mentor coaches.  

New Core Lesson Video Resources

During the County SIP order our staff created short core lesson videos for participants and families and instructional training videos for our coaches. The core lesson videos are intended to be a guide for families to reinforce the core life lessons in your everyday lives. Two of our video stars are alumni of The First Tee of Silicon Valley who now work for our chapter – Gabby and Joe. Gabby Ruiz began our program in 2010, started coaching in 2017, and now works as a Program Coordinator. She helps with marketing in the office part time, coaches at Baylands and Rancho Del Pueblo, and studied Graphic Design at Mission College. In the Fall she is going to San Jose State University to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree. Joe Stuban began our program in 2004 as participant. He returned as a Program Instructor in 2019 and, like Gabby, quickly advanced to Program Coordinator. He works part time in our office on program administration and outreach in addition to coaching classes at Rancho Del Pueblo and Gavilan Golf Course. Joe is currently finishing up his Bachelor’s Degree at San Jose State University majoring in Economics. Both Joe and Gabby are hardworking, smart, compassionate TFTSV alumni leaders. We are lucky to have them on our team. Please watch the videos below for a sample of the many curriculum videos available to participants and their families that are active in our program. Learn more about our Youth Classes and exposing your family to our positive youth development curriculum. Gabby on Meeting & Greeting (A.L.R) Video Joe on COURTESY Video

Statement regarding events surrounding the death of George Floyd

We are disheartened and upset at the events surrounding the death of George Floyd. The First Tee of Silicon Valley strongly condemns racism and discrimination and believes there is no place in this world for hate and prejudice. Appreciating diversity, respect, integrity, active listening, and empathy are at the core of what we teach the youth we serve. We are determined to continue our mission of building character to shape the leaders of tomorrow and to inspire them to make our community and the world a better place. -The First Tee of Silicon Valley Here is the public statement from The First Tee National CEO:
“Society bears the marks of prejudice and injustice, even today. The events over the last week are disturbing and heartbreaking on so many levels. I wish we could shield today’s young people from it, and yet, it’s all around them. As a community of caring adults who come together in support of the next generation, it’s our responsibility to ensure kids build the confidence to find their voice, their footing, and stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard. Our character is a compass, and it is the source of our words, thoughts and actions. Strong character stands against injustice. As we grieve the events happening around us, we have to lead the next generation to higher ground.” – Greg McLaughlin, CEO, First Tee

Our High School Graduates!

The First Tee of Silicon Valley would like to wish our 2020 class a big congratulations on their high school graduation! We are proud of who they are, and what they have accomplished in and out of the classroom. They have been involved with TFTSV between 4-11 years, excelling as participants, and giving back as volunteer coaches. Although we are sad to see them go, we are excited for what lies ahead. Good luck class of 2020. We are proud of you!

Amanda Nguyen – Eagle – 5 years
Andres Herrera – Ace – 7 years
Archis Dhar – Ace Certified – 8 years
Arthi Chandra – Ace – 11 years
Avery Chen – Eagle – 8 years
Calton Kong – Ace – 10 years
Darren Chan – Eagle – 9 years
Erica Lam – Ace Certified – 9 years
Francis Agcaoli – Eagle Certified – 4 years
Gracie Lacy – Ace – 10 years
Juan Pablo Roa – Ace – 9 years
Justin Lam – Ace – 8 years
Krisha Sharma – Eagle – 8 years
Linette Jun – Ace – 6 years
Mitchell Fong – Ace – 4 years
Pranav Vadali – Ace – 6 years
Ralph Kho – Ace – 7 years
Rishi Ajjarapu – Ace – 8 years
Sarah Finch – Ace Certified – 10 years
Twisha Sharma – Eagle – 9 years

The participants above progressed through our program and either participated in the Eagle or the Ace levels. The Eagle level is our second highest level in our program (4 of 5). Eagle participants refine their golf playing skills with emphasis course management and ball flight, learn to develop their leadership skills, and utilize cooperative and collaborative communication strategies. They also learn to build healthy mental and physical habits, and explore what it means to appreciate diversity. The Ace level is the top level in the program. Ace participants take a series of (4) 8-week projects that focuses on career development, post high school education preparation/exploration, volunteerism, and advanced mental and physical golf training. Making it through our program takes commitment, perseverance, and consistent demonstration of the First Tee Nine Core Values. We look forward to the participants taking what they learned and using the core values to make the world a better place.

For more information on our mission, curriculum, coaching, and how to get started please visit https://www.firstteesiliconvalley.org/.

Juan Pablo Roa as a new and graduating participant

 

Letter – From TFTSV’s President & CEO

On behalf of TFTSV’s core staff and board, we hope that you and yours are well. TFTSV’s core staff is doing well, engaged, and productive. “Dealing with Challenges” and “Playing with Perseverance” are two of TFTSV’s 27 core lessons that are very relevant during this season of sheltering-in-place. It is noteworthy that what we teach the young people in our care applies well beyond golf to other parts of life including how we as individuals, families, organizations, and communities make the best of a public health crisis. Those of us who work or volunteer for TFTSV do so because we enjoying helping all participants regardless of background be the best versions of themselves and have the best shot at success. Therefore, it’s been very strange to not be coaching and mentoring youth for such a long period – we cancelled our spring classes for 500 participants. However, core staff are keeping their eye on the ball so that we can get straight back to business when we resume classes this summer. Our team of five full-timers and four part-timers have been working from home on a wide variety of activities/lessons for participants at home and projects to improve our program and business, including our web site. For example, we are building an online resource library of our 27 core lessons, golf cues, and more for participants, families, and coaches to foster learning outside of actual classes. We have created corresponding signs of each core lesson for all to reference at our check-in/-out table for each class to reinforce our curriculum. We will be stronger and better as an organization when we expect to return to classes this summer. I speak for myself, our staff and our board when I say how enormously grateful we are to our financial supporters. Your prior generosity has been very important during such an unexpected, adverse time as it has enabled us to keep most of our infrastructures (including core staff) intact. While we are excited to return to what we so enjoy – helping participants –, we will do so with serious concerns about TFTSV’s long-term, financial stability. We need our supporters now more than ever. If you are moved to make a donation, we will surely put it to important use as we pay it forward for the benefit of the youth in our care. Best, George Maxe

Rishi & Ralph National Spotlight Feature

The First Tee home office has selected two of our seniors, Rishi Ajjarapu and Ralph Kho, to highlight nationally. They will be featured in a national spotlight for their local and chapter contributions. Rishi Ajjarapu joined our chapter in 2012. He successfully made it to our top Ace level, and moved into a volunteer coaching role in 2016. Over the last 3 years, he has contributed over 376 hours of volunteer coaching. Throughout his time at TFTSV, he has demonstrated leadership, compassion, and enthusiasm which contributed to his successes as a participant and coach. In addition to his TFTSV contributions, he was selected by national panel of judges to attend the Joe Louis Barrow Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Boise Idaho and the NorCal Life Skills & Leadership Academy. While at the NorCal academy, he was selected by the coaching staff to receive the “Excellence in Core Values” award which goes to the student who best demonstrates and exhibits the core values throughout the academy. Rishi credits TFTSV for his motivation, leadership and interpersonal skills needed to pursue his extracurricular activities. He is a member of his high school’s Future Business Leaders of America group. His FBLA group worked together as a team to create Seniors Get Savvy, a non-profit aimed to teach seniors how to use technology. His FBLA team competed and placed 2nd in a state-wide competition evaluating their contributions to local businesses and non-profits. He also served on his Cupertino Youth Activity Board which put together an event providing mental health resources to teens. Rishi says, “Golf is a medium that brings people together, and I want to bring people together for the common good.” He attributes our core lessons of ALR (Ask, Listen & Respond), Go-To-Team, and Goal Ladders as reasons he felt prepared in his clubs and credits the core values for his motivation to succeed and give back. Rishi plans to attend college at the Rutgers University, New Brunswick in the Fall. Meet Ralph Kho. He has been in TFTSV program for 9 years and is an Ace level participant. Ralph began our program in TFTSV’s first season at Palo Alto Muni (now Baylands) in 2011. He has been an instrumental part of our organization volunteering for community events and coaching classes. In 2016, he was selected as the recipient of the Dennis Kettmann Scholarship Award which offers a college scholarship to the college of their choice. Ralph is planning on using the scholarship as he attends the University of Dallas in the Fall. Ralph has not only succeeded in our chapter, but has also been selected by The First Tee national judges to participate in the National Par 3 Championship, the NorCal Life Skills & Leadership Academy, and the PURE Insurance First Tee Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Course. In addition to his local First Tee accomplishments he is active in his community as an International Student Mentor and a member of his school’s National Honor Society and Multi-Cultural Club. Ralph credits TFTSV for “teaching me moral principles, what it is like to have a positive mindset, how to cope with stress, and how to stay physically and mentally healthy.” Please join us in congratulating Rishi and Ralph for their contributions, accomplishments, and graduation. We are proud of who they are and we wish them the best as they embark on their college journeys.

Summer Registration Opens May 13th

Registration for our 2020 Summer classes opens Wednesday, May 13th for all participants 2nd grade and up. For our class flyer and scheduled classes, please click here. Classes are held once a week (same day each week) over a 9-week period beginning June 9th and ending August 8th (no class 6/30 – 7/4). * In each class, participants learn a golf fundamental and a core life lesson through engaging games and activities. Come join our program and experience a fun, safe, and friendly learning environment. *Our summer schedule is dependent on the Santa Clara County’s stay-in-place order. We have contingency plans available if the stay-in-place order carries into June or July. More information/details will follow by the end of May, if necessary. We are committed to keeping our participants, parents/guardians, staff, and coaches safe by complying with our host golf course’s safety/sanitizing guidelines and by implementing a few new procedures and policies that can be seen here. We hope to see you soon!

Become a TFTSV Volunteer Coach

TFTSV is looking for dedicated individuals interested in helping mentor youth in our programs. Volunteers must have a positive approach and a drive to make a difference in the lives of program participants. This is a great opportunity to meet and work together with like-minded coaches, positively impact youth through golf, and give back to your community. Training is provided and golf skills are not required. Volunteer positions are available. Join our team and make a help difference! Summer Season onboarding steps must be in process by May 15th. Please click here for more information and how to get started.

Staying Connected to Participants

As we look back over the last month and a half, we want to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and commitment to maintain a sense of community through our various activities. We loved seeing our participants’ build their own mini golf course, post about who is on their go-to team, build and play an indoor putt bowling game, create beautiful core values artwork, and even show responsibility by competing in our laundry toss contest. To read about each challenge and to see the great work put in by our participants please visit our News section and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. At a time where we can easily feel isolated, our participants have shown us that there are still many ways to stay connected. We are working hard to prepare for a return to normal programming. We miss coaching and working with everyone, and until we restart our in-person programs, please know that we will continue to design more challenges to stay engaged and build community.

Ace Class Exploring Careers via Zoom

This Spring marks the largest enrollment for an Ace class in TFTSV history – 14 participants! Despite the COVID-19 crisis, these participants are taking the Ace-Career Exploration class online via Zoom. Chris Moreno-Hunt, Program Director, and George Maxe, President & CEO, are teaching about self-awareness, types of industries and business functions, informational interviews, planning and resume building. The self-awareness section guides participants to a better understanding of interests, values, and skills both in general and theirs, in particular. The objective is to help them see the overlap between a “work” personality and careers. For example, individuals with more developed communication and social skills tend to select and perform well in people-oriented careers such as teaching, sales, and human resources. Two of the hallmarks of the four Ace projects – career, education, volunteerism, and golf – are exploration and goal ladders, a First Tee tool first introduced to participants at the Birdie level. Participants leverage their new self- and work-awareness to learn more by conducting three informational interviews and preparing career action plans using a goal ladder. For example, a current participant who is interested in a career in sports management recently interviewed with John Poch, Executive Director of the San Jose Sports Authority, which is Silicon Valley’s sports commission and founding organization of TFTSV. Of course, Coaches Chris and George are ready to help including making business introductions of participants to potential informational interviewees. As Ace-Career participants make progress on their career goals, they will surely encounter various roadblocks. Thus, the class also addresses the challenges they may face building upon the “Dealing with Challenges” lesson they had in the Birdie level. COVID-19 has certainly posed its challenges to each of us. We’re proud of our Ace-Career participants for staying in the game with TFTSV by taking this season’s class via Zoom.
Amanda Flores

TFTSV’s Laundry Toss Contest Winners

On May 2nd, 19 TFTSV participants along with 9 parents/guardians took part in our laundry toss responsibility contest. All contestants joined the competition on Zoom and took turns tossing their rolled-up socks into their laundry bins from 3 yards away. We played two rounds, and divided the competition between participants and parent/guardians. The goal was to toss as many socks into their laundry bins out of 10 as possible. Music played during each round and everyone practiced their responsibility by getting a head start on their Saturday laundry. Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who participated. The winners of the Spring 2020 Laundry Toss Contest are: Participant Division 1st place – Edwin Sanchez 2nd place – Shreyash Avasarala 3rd place – Mariano Garcia and Genesis Torres Parent/Guardian Division 1st place – Shreyash’s mother 2nd place – Genesis and Camila’s mother Please follow us and stay engaged Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Edwin can be seen in the middle, left screen in the photo.