Nelia Long Selected to The First Tee College Scholarship Program

We at First Tee — Upstate South Carolina would like to congratulate our own Nelia Leong for being one the 25 participants selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Nelia has been involved with First Tee for three years, where she has worked as a part-time employee back in the summer of 2020. In 2021 she attended the First Tee Innovators Forum, where she developed her idea to provide environmental sustainability sessions at her chapter with younger participants. Nelia was the senior class vice president at Southside High School her Senior Year. She started the girls’ golf team at her high school and was the captain, while also played varsity tennis and ran cross country. Nelia finished high school with a 3.5 GPA, a score of 1400 on the SATs, and a score of 32 on the ACT. On top of all her academic and athletic success, she also found time to regularly volunteer in her community. She is excited to continue her education this fall at the University of Florida where she plans on pursuing the pre-dentistry track by majoring in public health. She plans on going into pediatric dentistry and have her own practice.

The First Tee College Scholarship Program supports selected alumni throughout their college career. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops, access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. One of the key factors of the program is pairing Scholars with a dedicated adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the four years. 

Once again congratulations to Nelia and all she has accomplished!