The First Tee today announced 12 semifinalists for the third annual RBS Achievers of the Year Awards, a program created by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, in conjunction with Charter One and Citizens Bank, to recognize deserving participants of The First Tee and help fund their future education.
RBS has joined forces with Golf Digest Publications and The First Tee to present the 2006 RBS Achievers of the Year Awards. Two finalists, one female and one male, will be announced during an awards dinner at the PGA Championship on August 16. The two finalists will each receive $10,000 and the ten semifinalists $1,000, all to fund future education. RBS and Golf Digest Publications are national trustees of The First Tee.
"RBS supports these young people in their efforts to succeed in life and in education," says Howard Moody, group director, communications for The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. "As part of our support of The First Tee, we strive to establish programs that fit our corporate policy of 'Less Talk, Make it Happen.' We hope to make a practical difference in the lives of the participants in The First Tee program. We, along with our colleagues at Citizens Bank and Charter One, applaud the participants' efforts and wish them well in their future endeavors."
The RBS Achievers of the Year Awards recognize outstanding participants for succeeding in school and their daily lives as a result of their experience with The First Tee. The program goal is to positively impact youth by rewarding selected participants for exemplifying one or more of The First Tee Nine Core Values by demonstrating leadership, community service, teamwork, overcoming obstacles and improving school grades and attitude. The First Tee Nine Core Values are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.
"Golf Digest Publications and The First Tee share a common goal-to help people improve," says Mitchell B. Fox, group president/publishing director of Condé Nast Publications, Inc. "We're honored to be associated with the RBS Achievers of the Year Awards and proud of our ability to positively impact the success of the program through our vast media resources."
The 12 semifinalists were selected regionally, representing a cross-section of The First Tee Chapters throughout the United States. The 2006 RBS Achievers of the Year Awards semifinalists are:
West Region
Danielle Jones, 17 - The First Tee of Greater Seattle
Joseph Sobaski, 15 - The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Mountain Region
Eric Johnson, 17 - The First Tee of Ventura County
Regina Martinez, 15 - The First Tee of Tucson
Central Plains Region
Isabel Shelton, 17 - The First Tee of Greater Austin
Anuj Vyas, 17 - The First Tee of Houston/F.M. Law Park
Midwest Region
Russell Byrd, 16 - The First Tee of Northeastern Illinois
Jasmeen Tensley, 16 - The First Tee of Cleveland
Northeast Region
Ashlee Philyaw, 16 - The First Tee of Pittsburgh
Marvin Phisitkraiyakorn, 16 - The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Southeast Region
Corey Moran, 15 - The First Tee of Pine Mountain
Kyndal Turner, 16 - The First Tee of Atlanta
"The First Tee is grateful to RBS and Golf Digest Publications for supporting our mission to impact the lives of young people through educational programs," says Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., The First Tee executive director. "Each of these participants demonstrated individual achievement and a commitment to The First Tee Nine Core Values. It is our goal that these scholarships will contribute to their future success."
RBS has been a supporter of the game of golf for over 100 years, through its association with The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and The Open Championship. By partnering with The First Tee, they are extending their commitment to the game of golf in the U.S.