(FTSV’s Participants Selected for Game Changers Academy – Published 08/07/26) Alonso Jose, Adam Rosas, Julia Villa and Varnika Arun from First Tee — Silicon Valley were selected and participated in the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Minneapolis, MN, July 18-22, 2026. They were 4 of 72 teens from across the First Tee network (over 250 FT Chapters) who were selected for the 5-day learning and empowerment academy. They participated in important discussions on self-awareness, inclusive leadership, and community building – skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. First Tee led dynamic, interactive workshops, complemented by reflective activities guided by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. The experience was designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position the teens to be advocates for justice and social change in their current and future communities.
Meet our Game Changers Participants and read what their experience was like in Minneapolis:
Alonso has been a highly engaged participant with First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2022. He has been a participant, volunteer coach, volunteer admin, and a Junior Council member. He was selected by FTSV staff as the 2025 FTSV’s Junior Coach of the Year, and the 2026 Joyce Taylor Eagle Award recipient due to his outstanding contribution to the chapter, engagement within the chapter, and his high character. Outside of First Tee, Alonso is the District 2 Representative on the Valley Water Youth Commission and a Valley Water Adopt-a-Creek Junior Partner in Canoas Creek. Alonso is also an Advance Placement Scholar with Distinction and has received the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy. He will be attending Fordham University starting this fall.
Alonso recaps his experience:
“Attending the Game Changers Academy was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. The trip itself was unforgettable, being my first time outside the West Coast, and even my first time flying! One of the real highlights for me was connecting with my fellow Game Changers from different chapters all over the country and hearing their experiences with First Tee and in their communities. I was a bit nervous going into the opportunity that my golf skills wouldn’t be up to par, but the coaches and chaperones made the playing welcoming and supportive from Eagle Lake to Interlachen. The workshops on positive self-talk, overcoming imposter syndrome, and how to be an inclusive leader are lessons I will carry with me to college. I was so inspired by my Game Changer experience that I’ve been booking tee times nearly every day since!”
Adam has been involved with FTSV for the past 4 years and regularly takes our Ace classes. Adam is a unifier, an emotional tank-filler, and a natural leader. He is well respected by all of his peers and FTSV staff for how he carries himself, how he treats and includes everyone, and how he elevates the morale of every class that he is in. He has amassed over 100 volunteer hours with us. He has led several subcommittees in our Junior Council and helped plan our Family Fest, and our upcoming Open House event. In school, Adam has earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the California Junior Scholarship Foundation Award.
Julia has been a participant and volunteer coach since 2024. She is one of our go-to coaches at Gavilan Golf Course and is a leader in our Ace classes. Last year, she joined the Junior Council and was determined to learn more about event planning and management. She became the Event Planning Committee Chair within the Junior Council and coordinated an event that celebrated and recognized youth volunteers. Recently, Julia was awarded the Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. Leadership Award. She was also selected to deliver a speech at a fundraiser on our behalf. Julia will be attending Cal Poly SLO this Fall majoring in Event Planning & Management and Interior Architecture & Design.
Julia recaps her experience:
“Participating in Game Changers has truly contributed to my personal growth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful experience. I have been extremely moved by all the care and commitment The First Tee has put into their Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis. Each day was filled with meaningful activities that helped us get to know each other, but more importantly ourselves as young adults. The experience was more than representing our chapters; it was about what we could learn from the carefully executed workshops and take back to our communities. The diversity of each chapter from countless different states fostered such an amazing blend of new perspectives that were all valued, and I am truly honored to have been a part of this Academy.”
Varnika has been engaged with FTSV for five years. Starting at the PLAYer level, Varnika quickly moved up to become an Ace level participant. Although she began as a quiet and shy participant, Varnika blossomed into a confident young woman who now seizes every public speaking opportunity available. She was a dedicated member of our Junior Council, where she helped coordinate, budget, and inventory our quarterly Girls’ Golf events, while also serving as an inspiring mentor to our younger female golfers. Varnika accumulated an impressive 247 volunteer coaching hours within FTSV. Outside of FTSV she is a District Office Intern for the Office of Assemblymember Ash Karla and is a Legislative Affairs Officer where she helped secure $13.2 million from Santa Clara County to fund wellness centers at 40 schools. Varnika will be attending NYU starting this fall.
Varnika recaps her experience:
“During the first workshop, we learned to turn our negative thoughts into positive affirmations. Later that day on the golf course, right before I hit my driver on a long hole, a voice in my head told me, “Everyone’s watching.” I realized this is exactly what the workshop had been talking about. I chose to remind myself that I can do difficult things, and I aim to carry that mindset with me for the rest of my life. This experience was one of the best experiences in my life.”
First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. 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. The Academy honors First Tee’s former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., who led the organization from 2000 until his retirement in 2017.
Congratulations to all four of these amazing participants! We are very proud of you.
Click here to view more information on the National Opportunities.