Application Deadline: July 16, 2025

Overview: 
The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their chapters, schools, and communities. The five-day academy experience focuses on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigating post-graduation and career planning, and appreciating the value/impact of volunteerism. The selected teens will have an opportunity to participate in activity-based workshops with female industry leaders in technology, STEM, and business development, as well as a golf outing.

Participant Selection: 
Up to 36 participants 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• This event is a female empowerment academy  
• Participants must be between 14 and 18 years old (applicants must reach their 14^th birthday by the first day of the event date and not have reached their 19^th birthday by the conclusion of the event). 
• Classified as an 8^th grader, high school freshman, sophomore, or junior as of spring semester 2025 (high school seniors at the time of the application deadline are not eligible to apply.) 
• Entered in Salesforce and has been an active participant for a minimum of two years 
• Acceptable golf ability – Should be able to shoot approx. 100 for 18-holes  
• Participants who previously attended the event are not eligible 
• Each chapter may nominate up to two participants  
  • ** Chapters with 100+ active participants ages 14-18 recorded in Salesforce as of 12/31/24 may nominate up to four participants ** 
• If selected, the participant must be able to travel to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 11/6 – 11/10, 2025

Application Process: 
Applications will be submitted online at https://firsttee.smapply.org; please follow the instructions in the “Quick Start Guide” on how to complete this process. Please contact your chapter representative if you have difficulty with the application process. The online application will consist of the following: 

• Application Code
• Participant General Information 
• School & Community Activities Chart
• Three (3) Short Answer Essays
• Chapter Participation Survey (to be completed by a chapter representative and uploaded by the participant)
• Participant Bio Form
• Letter of Recommendation
• Headshot
• Social Media, Code of Conduct and Model Release Form
• Release of Liability Form 

Online application must be submitted by the First Tee participant. Applications submitted by a parent, guardian or Chapter Representative will be automatically disqualified. First Tee will not accept paper applications, emails, or correspondence from families of participants. The deadline to apply online is July 16, 2025.

Selection Process: 
Following the closing date of July 16, 2025, a judging committee made up of First Tee headquarters staff, chapter staff, and John Deere staff will review the above items and identify the 36 candidates that will be invited to the academy by assigning point values to the categories.  These participants will be notified on academy selections by September 10, 2025.

Travel & Stipend Information: 
All ground transportation, lodging and meals will be provided for the duration of the academy. All participants will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Mayo Clinic. Participants will be sharing a room with one other participant and will be assigned to gender specific floors.  First Tee Alumni will serve as chaperones and will monitor participants, perform bed checks each night, enforce the curfew, etc.

First Tee will provide each participant who will be flying a stipend of up to $600 to assist with the cost of airfare. Participants who live within 150 miles of the Jacksonville region will be required to drive to the event and will not be eligible for a transportation stipend. Stipends will be sent directly to the Chapters following the conclusion of the event.

Questions: 
Allyson Mollung
Manager, Alumni Relations
Allysonmollung@firsttee.org