Each year, The First Tee of Central Florida recognizes outstanding students, inviting them to participate in The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy. This year, 16-year-old Matthew Large, who attends Bishop Moore Catholic High School, was selected to attend.
Matthew has been involved in The First Tee youth development program since the Central Florida chapter opened in 2012. When he joined the program, he was 14 years old while other participants were much younger. He was able to serve as a positive role model to his fellow students and exhibited the program’s core values for the younger participants to emulate. “Now in the Birdie Level and still one of the oldest and most senior participants in the program, Matthew is looked up to by his younger classmates, and he does a phenomenal job of serving as a leader for the class,” says Thomas Lawrence, executive director for The First Tee of Central Florida.
The purpose of the academy is to provide participants with valuable character education and leadership instruction. Matthew enjoyed the weeklong experience in Blaine, Minnesota from July 22-28.