John Deere recognizes the First Tee 2018 scholarship winners

Neeve Chen, Varsha Nekkanti and Serena Chen were the winners of the First Tee 2018 John Deere Power for Good Scholarship Contest. (Photo: John Deere)

John Deere celebrated The First Tee 2018 John Deere Power for Good Scholarship Contest winners at a special Lunch & Learn panel discussion during the John Deere Classic. The presentation, which honored the winners — Neeve Chen, Varsha Nekkanti and Serena Chen — also featured a special speech from The First Tee alumnus and current John Deere intern, Chandler Dorsey.

“Our support of The First Tee is just one way we are continuing to further the game of golf,” said Ren Wilkes, marketing manager for John Deere Golf. “As a leader in the golf industry, it is important for us to not only invest in the next generation of golfers, but to develop the next generation of leaders. It was exciting to have Chandler, and the three 2018 scholarship recipients, onsite for the John Deere Classic.”

Dorsey, who is currently enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has spent the summer interning with John Deere after receiving a John Deere Power for Good scholarship in 2017, and participating in the 2016 John Deere Careers on Course Academy. Dorsey first joined The First Tee in Atlanta at the age of 9, and notes that the program has positively impacted his life and taught him invaluable life skills.

“My mom was the motivation behind my involvement in The First Tee,” said Dorsey. “Looking back, The First Tee gave me confidence to succeed in my adult life. The First Tee has pushed me to become the best version of myself, and opened doors for me in ways I would have never imagined. Now, I spend my spare time giving back to the organization by mentoring through The First Tee Alumni Network.”