Game Changers Academy

First Tee Game Changers Academy is a transformative five-day learning and empowerment experience. Selected teens from across the U.S. will engage in meaningful discussions on self-awareness, inclusive leadership, and community building – skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. First Tee invites its partners to lead dynamic, interactive workshops, complemented by reflective activities guided by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. This experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, and empower teens, preparing them to become Game Changers in their communities now and in the future. The academy is named in honor of former First Tee CEO Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a passionate advocate for empowering the next generation.

Key Commitments

Collaborating with Others

Building Positive Self-identity

Growing through Challenges

Learning Objectives

  • Build self-awareness and embrace environments where all perspectives are valued
  • Develop a sense of confidence and are equipped to be change agents in their communities
  • Demonstrate engaging activities to enhance golf skills

2025 Event Information

Date: July 8-12
Location:
Minneapolis, MN

2025 Selected Participants

Selected Field
First Name Last Name Chapter
Ryan Aguilar First Tee – Fresno
Kennedy Albea First Tee – Augusta
Sai Anand First Tee – Greater Trenton
Noor Andary First Tee – Orange County
Todd Aubert First Tee – East Baton Rouge Parish
Jewel Basilan First Tee – Greater Richmond
Jasper Bentz Cook First Tee – San Diego
Lana Bowen First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City
Micah Bratton First Tee – Greater Washington, DC
Braylen Brown First Tee – Eastern Michigan
Anthony Chung First Tee – Greater Pasadena
Elizabeth Clark First Tee – Greater Pasadena
Adalae Corbett First Tee – Minnesota
Hayden Dan First Tee – Four Corners
London Davis First Tee – Fort Worth
Malachi Davis First Tee – Florida Gold Coast
Sarah Dawdy First Tee – Triangle
Zoey De La Paz First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Donovan Deguzman First Tee – Contra Costa
Tre Embree First Tee – Pittsburgh
Iris Felix First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains
Leticia Figuera First Tee – Tampa Bay
Elizabeth Fong First Tee – Minnesota
Julian Gianelli First Tee – San Joaquin
Rhys Heiberger First Tee – South Dakota
Nicolas Hernandez Lopez First Tee – Silicon Valley
Aidan Howe First Tee – Tucson
Jack Hsieh First Tee – Raritan Valley
Koen Huynh First Tee – San Francisco
Khloe Hyatt First Tee – Greater Chicago
Kenneth Jennings First Tee – San Joaquin
Nithya Jonnalagedda First Tee – Greater Dallas
Abigail Karches First Tee – Western New York
Jiyeon Kim First Tee – Manhattan
Serene Kim First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Jessica Kim First Tee – Manhattan
Ximena Knittel First Tee – West Michigan
Logan Korn First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee
Brooklynn Landrum First Tee – Greater Dallas
Jacob Larsen First Tee – Greater Baltimore
Caitlyn Lavant First Tee – North Florida
Spencer Lengel First Tee – Upstate South Carolina
Evana Lin First Tee – Gulf Coast
Tia Macdonald First Tee – Greater Richmond
Gabriella Magno First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Thomas Manotok First Tee – Central Valley
Yvanna Mazzotti First Tee – Central Florida
Finley Mentzel First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
Mason Merz First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
Milo Moffett First Tee – Connecticut
Jaeden Musae First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City
Kaylee Nguyen First Tee – Greater Charlotte
Brian Nishimura First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Li An Panfil First Tee – Silicon Valley
Alyce Parker First Tee – Northwest Arkansas
Alicia Poole First Tee – Greater Baltimore
Leila Prairie First Tee – San Diego
Elise Rivas Mucklow First Tee – Florida Gold Coast
Pilar Rivera First Tee – Orange County
Alexis Roth First Tee – Greater Charlotte
Bo Santos First Tee – Central Coast
Benjamin Seufert First Tee – Indiana
Aarya Shewale First Tee – Greater Houston
Whitley Shields First Tee – Greater Washington, DC
Juanpablo Solorzano First Tee – Tucson
Sophia Tounalom First Tee – Greater Seattle
Noelle Walters First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Peyton Walton First Tee – Indiana
Jack Williams First Tee – Contra Costa
Ailey-Marie Willis First Tee – Greater Houston
Braylon Young First Tee – Triangle
Noah Zakaria First Tee – Central Coast

How to Participate

This event is only available to teens involved in chapters of First Tee. Most of the events and programs have a selection process that includes an application reviewed by a committee. Parents, if you want your child to participate, please inquire at your chapter.

Not Yet Involved in the First Tee?