January 2019 Face of The First Tee Vivian Volion
Tenacious 6th Grader Sets Big Goals
At first meeting, Vivian Volion is quiet, sweet, and squeezably cute. At second meeting, Vivian is quiet, sweet, and squeezably cute. What The First Tee coaches know about Vivian that some may not is that lying beneath that precious exterior is a scrappy spirit with lofty aspirations.
A 12 year old, Birdie Level 6th grader at Visitation of Our Lady, Vivian has been playing golf with The First Tee for 2 1/2 years, where she enjoys helping younger novices with their foray into the program. Vivian lists Phil Michelson and Jordan Spieth as favorites, both of whom have given her coveted golf balls. A relative beginner, Vivian has impressively qualified for The 2019 U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst, the largest and most prestigious event in the world for players 12 and under, attracting over 1,450 participants from across the U.S. and more than 51 countries abroad. One of her short-term goals is to improve her game to one day qualify for that pie in the sky, the PGA’s Drive, Chip, and Putt competition preceding the Master’s in Augusta. Another short-term goal is to earn straight A’s in school. All of this is in preparation for her long-term goals to earn a scholarship to play collegiate golf, and then enjoy life as a Pro.
“Vivian has that fire you see in most competitive golfers at the highest level. The last few years have seen her progress from learning golf’s fundamentals to playing with a determination to break par each and every round. It is very clear Vivian has what is takes to get her game to the top,” says former First Tee Director of Education Perry Faulkner.
In addition to golf, Vivian practices Karate, where she has earned a purple belt (intermediate level before brown and black belt). True to form, Vivian is determined to become a black belt. She is a self-proclaimed lover of country music, art, and dance. When not kicking butt on the golf course and in the dojo, Vivian can be found spending time with her family or attending the youth program at her church. She loves animals and will be getting a new puppy in a few weeks, a well deserved reward. Shoot for the stars, Vivian!
ABOUT THE FACES OF THE FIRST TEE
The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee.
The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of
The Faces of The First Tee include:
- A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
- A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
- A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
- Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
- A certificate of recognition
Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of
The Faces of The First Tee!
