Lucas Renz, from The First Tee of Salina, has earned the national designation of The First Tee Scholar – Class of 2014.
Lucas is a senior at Salina South High School and has been a participant of The First Tee of Salina since 2004. He embodies the leadership skills and characteristics that define The First Tee Nine Core Values. Several highlights of his activity in the Salina Chapter include attendance at the Kansas More Than a Game Invitational and a trip to the Leaders and Entrepreneurs Forum in Orlando, Florida. Lucas has been employed by The First Tee of Salina as an Assistant Youth Coach for several years and is active at Salina South in debate and golf.
“I’m so happy that Lucas has been honored by The First Tee as a Scholar in the Class of 2014”, says Steve Hardesty, Executive Director of The First Tee of Salina. “I’ve been proud to watch Lucas grow into a fine young man who is a great role model for our younger students. He earned this designation with his school work, his volunteer hours, and his participation in our local Chapter”, said Hardesty.
The First Tee, a youth development organization that introduces young people to the game of golf and its inherent values, recognizes participants for exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, character development and chapter and community involvement through The First Tee Scholars Program.
Applications are accepted once per year from seniors in high school who meet the minimum requirements and are scored by an independent committee. With this designation, Renz has the opportunity to apply for any education scholarship programs offered through The First Tee to attend a participating college or university.
Since 2003, the program has designated 623 teen participants as scholars and funded 112 scholarships worth more than $1 million.
Lucas Renz is the 12th student from Salina who has earned the designation as a Scholar of The First Tee. The First Tee of Salina will award Lucas a scholarship worth $3,000 during his first two years of college. The Salina Chapter has awarded over $30,000 in scholarships since the program started in 2005.