Summer is an exciting season for First Tee – Central Ohio! During these few months, we engage hundreds of kids through our onsite classes, summer camps, community partner organizations, and special event sessions. We need all the help we can get, and that’s why we are thrilled to highlight our 2024 intern team!
Through our annual summer internship program, high school and college students can inspire positive change by teaching life skills, fostering a love for golf, and promoting healthy habits during our summer programming. Interns gain valuable hands-on experience, collaborate with peers and staff, and contribute to fulfilling our organization’s mission of developing character in kids through the game of golf.
Our summer interns are essential to a successful summer. They arrive early to set up, bring positive energy and enthusiasm to our participants during classes, and stay late to clean up after our fun-filled activities. Most importantly, they serve as inspiring examples to younger kids, demonstrating the character it takes to be a Game Changer!
Thanks to Discover Financial Services and the Eubanks-DeWitt Family Foundation for their generous support of our summer internship program!
Let’s learn more about our outstanding 2024 summer team!
Akoua, First Tee Coach
Akoua is a 19-year-old sophomore at Columbus State Community College, returning for her second year as a coach at FTCO. This summer, she is eager to connect with new people and deepen her knowledge of golf. Akoua aspires to open her own spa and become an orthodontist in the future.
Fun fact: Akoua speaks 3 different languages and plays 8 different sports!
Anji, Game Changers Intern
Anji, a 20-year-old Columbus native, is interning with FTCO for the first time this year. She is eager to connect with the students and expand her golf knowledge. Anji’s future goal is to become an entrepreneur and own a salon offering hair, nail and lash services.
Fun fact: Anji is working towards becoming a cosmetologist!
Belina, First Tee Coach
Belina has been a part of First Tee for seven years and is currently a trained Level One coach. Having started golfing at just three years old, her passion for golf shines through her dedication to teaching the game to others. This summer, she looks forward to building connections with both participants and fellow coaches. Belina aspires to become an inspiration to others in the future.
Fun fact: Belina’s favorite color is dark forest green and her favorite animal is a manatee.
Brenden, Game Changers Intern
Brenden is a rising high school junior and a first-year coach with FTCO. He loves golf for its calming nature and is eager to advance his skills. In the future, Brenden aims to attend college and pursue a fulfilling career.
Fun fact: Brenden loves cooking!
Carter, Game Changers Intern
Carter, a rising high school sophomore, has been an FTCO participant for nine years. This summer marks his first year interning with FTCO, and he is excited to expand his knowledge as a coach. His favorite aspect of golf is its challenging nature. In the future, Carter hopes to have a family.
Fun fact: Carter writes with his left hand but plays sports with his right hand!
Eliza, First Tee Coach
Eliza, 20, has been a part of First Tee for five years, and this will be her third year as a coach. She finds joy in the challenges that golf offers. This year, she is most looking forward to meeting new people and enjoying the fun games planned for events and classes. Eliza’s future goals are to be successful and to remain a lifelong learner.
Fun fact: Eliza has a deep interest in astronomy!
Grant, Game Changers Intern
At just 18 years old and entering his freshman year of college, Grant is already a seasoned member of the FTCO family with 12 years of involvement, including three years of intern experience. Grant has a strong passion for golf and loves the competitive aspect of the sport. This summer, he is looking forward to working alongside participants and sharing his knowledge of the game. Grant’s future goal is to graduate with a degree and play four years of college golf.
Fun fact: Grant likes to play basketball!
Isaac, Game Changers Intern
Issac, a rising high school senior, has been part of FTCO for seven years. As a third-year intern, he is excited to pass the game of golf to the next generation.
Through his time with FTCO, Isaac has been selected for the prestigious First Tee Leadership Summit in Bozeman, MT and recently attended the First Tee Game Changers Academy honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr, in Philadelphia, PA.
Issac aspires to earn the Evans Scholarship, study finance at The Ohio State University, and eventually work for a golf company.
Fun fact: Issac likes to play tennis in his free time!
Mikaili, Game Changers Intern
Mikaili, 16, has been a part of FTCO for nine years and is a rising junior in high school. She loves golf for the connections it creates, and many of her friendships began while on the golf course. This summer, she looks forward to working with her fellow coaches and showing kids how fun golf can be. In the future, Mikaili plans to play golf in college while majoring in architecture, with aspirations to pursue a career in real estate or home design.
Fun fact: Last summer, Mikaili attended the First Tee Leadership Academy in Atlanta!
Nikelle, Game Changers Intern
Nikelle is a rising senior at the Ohio State University studying strategic communications. Involved in First Tee since she was seven, this summer marks her first year as a marketing intern. She has held various roles at the golf course, including caddying, cart operations and coaching. Walking on the golf course brings her peace, and she is excited to capture photos for FTCO’s social media pages this summer. Nikelle’s future career goal is to help diversify the game of golf.
Fun fact: Nikelle has been vegan for six years!
Paige, Game Changers Intern
Paige is a rising senior in high school where she plays on the golf team and has been a part of the First Tee family for eight years, including two years of intern experience. She loves golf because she sees courses as puzzles to be solved and appreciates their beauty. This summer, Paige looks forward to helping kids develop a love for golf, just as she did at First Tee. In the future, Paige aspires to become a registered pediatric nurse.
Fun fact: She loves baking – especially making cookies!
Reese, Game Changers Intern
Reese is a rising junior in high school and has been a part of FTCO for six years. This summer marks his first year as an intern, and he is most looking forward to gaining leadership experience. Reese loves golf for its peaceful nature and aspires to become a CAT scan technician in the future.
Fun fact: Reese plays football and baseball!
Riley, Game Changers Intern
Riley is a rising junior in high school and has been involved with FTCO for over a decade. He loves golf for the environment and is excited to share his passion for the sport with this year’s FTCO participants. Riley’s future goal is to play golf in college and eventually become a professional golfer.
Fun fact: Riley is left handed!
Rori, Game Changers Intern
Rori is a rising junior in high school and has been a part of FTCO for four years. This summer marks her first year coaching for FTCO, and she is excited to share the impact FTCO has made on her with this year’s participants. Rori loves golf because it pushes her outside her comfort zone, and she has made many friends on the golf course. In the future, Rori hopes to become an architect or open a bakery.
Fun fact: Rori has a girls golf clothing line!
Sarah, First Tee Junior Coach
Sarah is a 22-year-old junior at Columbus State Community College, returning for her second year coaching at FTCO. This summer, she looks forward to building connections with FTCO participants. Sarah loves golf for the opportunity to walk different courses and play with friends. Her future goal is to finish college and become a first-grade teacher.
Fun fact: Sarah is bilingual and she loves to travel!
Thanks to Discover Financial Services and the Eubanks-DeWitt Family Foundation for their generous support of our summer internship program!
Join Our Team
Are you interested in becoming part of the First Tee – Central Ohio team? We have a variety of ways you can get involved. Click the button below to start making a difference today!