December 23, 2010 - Four participants from The First Tee of Metropolitan New York have been selected as First Tee Scholars representing the class of 2011. High school seniors Paul Spano of the Bronx, Nicholas Capozzi of Port Washington, N.Y., John Conlon of Massapequa, N.Y., and James Slattery of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., were each rewarded with scholarships for exhibiting exceptional academic achievements, leadership skills, character development and involvement in their respective communities and First Tee chapters.

In addition, 2011 First Tee Scholar Paul Spano has advanced to the Elite Eight for The First Tee’s Most Outstanding Participant Award. Created in September of 2010, this unique award recognizes outstanding achievement by a First Tee participant in the areas of academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation.  More than 200 teenagers representing First Tee Chapters nationwide were nominated, and Paul is one of eight applicants remaining. The winner of The First Tee’s Most Outstanding Participant Award will be announced at The First Tee’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on February 19, 2011, and will receive a $20,000 scholarship; two runner-up winners will receive $10,000 scholarships.

The First Tee Scholars Program provides qualified participants of The First Tee with a gateway to a successful future through higher education.  For more information on The First Tee Scholars Program or the Most Outstanding Participant Award, visit www.thefirsttee.org.