(2026 Innovators Forum Published 10/8/26) This November, two First Tee – Silicon Valley participants were selected by a national panel of judges to attend the Innovators Forum at Ponte Vedra. The Innovators Forum is part of First Tee’s national opportunities schedule where students from around the country apply to participate in leadership and development events to further their education and experience gained through First Tee. The Innovators Forum equips and empowers teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities based on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. Selected participants have the chance to learn from industry leaders through interactive workshops and group sessions with their peers.
This year, FTSV is proud to be represented by Edwin Sanchez and Vian Tran.
Meet Edwin Sanchez:
Edwin has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley for the past seven years while accumulating volunteer hours as a junior coach in recent years. Since joining in 2019, he has actively participated in classes, tournaments, and special events while continuously developing his golf skills and leadership abilities. Driven, determined, and always eager to overcome challenges, Edwin consistently demonstrates a great attitude while always being eager to learn. More recently, he has taken on the role of volunteer coach, where his kindness, empathy, and ability to connect with younger participants have made him a fantastic mentor. His commitment to personal growth, openness to feedback, and leadership qualities make him a valued member of our First Tee family.
Meet Vian Tran:
Vian has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley for nearly 11 years, having joined the program when she was six years old. Since her freshman year, she has taken on an active role as a volunteer coach, contributing over 150 hours of service. Through her involvement in our Ace classes and community events, Vian has demonstrated leadership, compassion, and a strong commitment to giving back. As a coach, she helps younger participants develop valuable life skills through golf while serving as a positive role model. Beyond First Tee, she is a member of the varsity girl’s golf team at Evergreen Valley high school. She also plays an important role at fundraising events, confidently sharing her personal experiences and the impact First Tee has had on her life.
(Edwin Sanchez, Vian Tran and Marissa Wei Selected to First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore) Edwin, Vian and Marissa from First Tee – Silicon Valley are 3 of 48 participants selected from across the country to the First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Leadership Academy is set in Atlanta Georgia and provides selected teens insight on how successful teams perform. The curriculum explores leadership concepts focusing on (1) building a successful team by recognizing values and identifying strengths/weaknesses, (2) leading a team by developing authentic relationships and empowering others, (3) supporting the team by developing awareness and acting with humility, and (4) assessing based on comprehending and identifying the team’s need and supporting through innovation and advocacy. The academy provides an opportunity for teens to explore team dynamics that enhance their future performance as they collaborate with peers and adult mentors. Activity- based workshops are facilitated by leaders from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
UPDATE: Edwin Sanchez, Vian Tran and Marissa Wei attended the First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore
Marissa, Vian and Edwin all had a fantastic time at the Leadership Academy in Atlanta. All three participants left the event having learned something important about what it takes to be a leader, and they made friends and memories along the way. Here is what they had to say about their experience:
Edwin
For Edwin, his favorite part of the week was connecting with participants from across the country. “Being around people who have the same values as you really helps build strong friendships. Everyone there was interested in learning how to become a better leader, and how to work with others to become a strong team.”
Edwin also learned about the importance of sharing power and encouraging others to step up as leaders. “Letting others be the leader and sharing that power is a great choice. Other folks get a chance to show their personal strengths and contribute a new perspective, and it’s good to let yourself follow instead of lead sometimes.”
Besides the team-building and life skill work, Edwin’s favorite part of the experience was the zip-line course and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Vian
The Leadership Academy helps participants to find their own personal leadership styles, as well as to improve their skills in communication and teamwork. For Vian, the communication workshops stood out to her. “We went to the Alanta United FC for a team communication activity. One person was able to look at an image then had to pass on that information through the rest of the team so that the final person could try to recreate it. The activity was challenging and active, and we had to communicate clearly with one another to achieve our goal. I loved that game!”
Vian’s biggest takeaway was about stepping outside of her comfort zone. When she first got to the Academy, Vian actively pushed herself to communicate and work with new people. “It was different than school and group projects. Coming out of my comfort zone here was a big thing for me. I first started by talking with a chaperone, and when that went well, I started talking with new people, even those from outside of my group. It was amazing! The people were so nice.”
Vian plans to keep this up going forward and will continue to push herself to form new connections and continue to build her community.
Marissa
During the Leadership Academy, every day had a different theme, and this aspect really stood out to Marissa. “I had so much fun; it was amazing! Each day was something different, including Building a Team, Supporting a Team and Assessing a Team. All the different activities helped us to practice these different components of leadership.” By spending the time diving deep into these different important aspects of teamwork, Marissa feels like she better understands how all parts work together.
During the time spent at the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United stadiums, Marissa learned about how professional teams practice leadership and teamwork within a sports setting. “The biggest take away for me was the importance of setting core values for the team. It keeps everyone on the same page, people can bring their ideas together, and it helps everyone work towards a common goal.”
Great work FTSV participants for taking full advantage of this awesome opportunity, and representing our chapter so well!
We are very proud of you, Edwin, Vian and Marissa!
Meet our First Tee Leadership Academy Participants!
Meet Edwin Sanchez
Edwin has been an engaged participant for roughly 6 years. He spends most of his Saturdays at Rancho del Pueblo, taking classes and giving back as a junior volunteer coach. When he is not coaching and helping us he is organizing monthly neighborhood clean-up. Working with Beautify SJ, Edwin and other community members spend 3 hours every month cleaning and giving back to the neighborhood. When asked about the project, he said “I’ve been doing this for almost 8 months. It fills me with pride to help my community, the place I grew up. FTSV has helped me a lot with my time management and I use that skill regularly, especially on projects such as this one.”
Edwin is also a part of the San Jose Youth Commission, representing District 3. The Youth Commission is a group of young people committed to serving their community through legislation, service projects, and activism. Within this role, Edwin runs a Youth Advisory Committee, working directly with other teens from his district to provide input on policy and programs that impact the city.
Meet Vian Tran
Vian Tran is a long-time participant, a junior volunteer coach, and a member of our Junior Council. She is on her Evergreen high school golf team.
Vian is someone who always raises her hand to volunteer whenever something needs to get done, helping with a smile on her face. According to Coach Tanner, “Vian consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every participant feels truly seen, heard, and valued. From the very beginning, I had the privilege of coaching alongside her during her first season, and it’s been incredible to witness her growth. She has blossomed into a confident and compassionate leader not only uplifting our participants but also serving as a mentor and role model for junior volunteers.”
Away from FTSV she volunteers at a San Jose mobile park home supporting and coordinating events.
Meet Marissa Wei
Marissa started with FTSV when she was 6 years old and is now in her 10th year as a participant! During our classes, Marissa is engaged, dedicated and confident. She stands out as a participant with how well she embodies the Life Skills. She has been involved in our ACE classes, completing both the Education and Volunteer course work on her way to full ACE certification. Marissa is an exceptionally kind person and volunteer coach, making sure that the younger participants feel included and have fun. Coach Elias coaches with Marissa regularly, and had this to say, “It is great coaching with Coach Marissa. She is accountable and willing to learn, someone that takes feedback well and always striving to improve outside of her comfort zone.”
Last year Marissa was selected to represent our chapter in the Game Changer Academy in Minnesota.
