(FTSV Participants Selected for Drive Your Future Academy Published 10/8/26) The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their chapters, schools, and communities. The five-day academy experience focuses on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigate post-graduation and career planning, and appreciate the value/impact of volunteerism.
The Drive Your Future Academy will take place October 8-12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra, FL. This year, we have 3 teen participants selected to attend this opportunity.
Meet Sharleen Ho
Sharleen has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2022, with over 40 program registrations. Throughout her time in the program, she has consistently shown maturity, leadership, and a genuine ability to connect with others. Known for creating a safe, welcoming, and positive environment, Sharleen has always encouraged her fellow participants, while making everyone feel included and appreciated. More recently, she has taken on the role of volunteer coach, giving back to the program that has helped shape her development. She has also represented First Tee as a speaker at a recent women’s club event, sharing her experiences and the impact the program has had on her life. Sharleen is currently the captain of the Branham high school varsity girls golf team where she utilizes the interpersonal skills that she learned within our program.
Meet Zoe Huchim Velazquez
Zoe has been an active participant in our program since 2018, celebrating an incredible 8 years of involvement! She consistently participates in classes each season. Beyond her dedication to golf, Zoe has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment as a volunteer coach, accumulating 96 hours of service, including 48 additional hours since 2025! As a member of our Girls Golf Junior Council, she has played an instrumental role in planning and coordinating events for our female golfers, taking responsibility for budgeting, inventory, game creation, and curriculum development. Zoe is also a member of the Notre Dame High School varsity girls golf team. Her dedication has made a lasting impact on our program!
Meet Dahlia Suarez
For the past 8 years, Dahlia has been an incredible part of our program developing from a young participant to an ACE student/ and high school leader. She has been selected to give a speech at a fundraiser and has participated in all of our class offerings. Since becoming a junior coach at just 14 years old, she has dedicated an amazing 159 volunteer hours! When the opportunity arose to become our Girls’ Golf Team Captain, Dahlia stepped outside her comfort zone and embraced the challenge. She managed budgets, developed curriculum, and coordinated her fellow coaches. She has taken on every responsibility with maturity, attention to detail, and dedication. What makes Dahlia stand out is her kindness, patience, and genuine care she shows the younger girls who look up to her. Dahlia utilizes the skills she learned from First Tee and applies them to her varsity girls golf team for Notre Dame high school.
The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to focus on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigating post-graduation and career planning, and appreciating the value and impact of volunteerism.
Congratulations to all three of these amazing young women! We are very proud of you.
If you are interested in learning more about the First Tee National Opportunities and the selection process, please click here or email [email protected]