 |
|
Lakeland's
George Jenkins girls golf team (L-R) Anna
Hancock, Cassie Boles, MJ Audette, Heather Erskine
and Brittany Burkett |
A Senior at George Jenkins
High School in Lakeland, Cassie Boles has a bright
future ahead as she will be attending Yale University in
the fall. Cassie has been extremely involved with
Lakeland’s First Tee Program and hopes to continue her
efforts in New Haven.
As she entered her senior year, Cassie had the idea to
have her high school golf team volunteer at the Lakeland
First Tee and teach golf to mentally challenged
children. Her coach left it to her to convince the rest
of the team to sign on which wasn’t hard at all.
“Fortunately, our team is made up of great girls who
embraced the idea,” said Cassie. Now, every Wednesday
after practice the team goes together to help the
children. Their involvement has enabled the First Tee to
expand the number of children in the program. With her
dedication to the program, Cassie is considered the
captain/representative for the program. Each week Cassie
works with Michelle, a sixteen year old girl. Working
with one person, “keeps the consistency and reduces the
risk of confusion.” During the sessions, Cassie teaches
how to properly introduce themselves and their
"routine." This is a set-up drill the children have to
perform before they hit the ball. “It’s amazing how much
they learn from this simple task,” said Cassie. “They
also gain self-confidence; just making contact with the
ball is exciting to them. Michelle has come a long way
since I have started with her. She can correctly
remember her routine, has great posture for her swing,
and can hit the ball straight and in the air.”
Cassie says of her involvement with the program, “Since
I have started working with these special children, I
have learned so much. They have taught me patience, how
to have fun, and a great appreciation for life. The look
on the children's faces is so rewarding. This experience
has been and continues to be the most fulfilling
volunteer work I have ever done.”
Cassie is also a leader on the golf course. She didn’t
take up the game until the summer before her freshman
year but got serious and made the Girls Varsity team
that season. Cassie’s golf career took off as she
began practicing at The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland
3-4 days a week with tournaments on weekends. Cassie has
twice competed in the State Golf Finals with her best
finish at 27th place and a 6th place team finish in 2004.
Her hard work has paid off for she will be contributing
to Yale’s golf team.
Cassie has earned many
honors in her life but working with the First Tee has been
“the most significant achievement this year.” She does
plan to bring her idea to Yale and help duplicate the
program in New Haven. At Yale, Cassie's tentative major
is psychology and then plans on going to medical school
to become a physician. “My future plans include my
desire and drive to continue to improve my golf game,”
said Cassie. “I will follow that dream as far as it will
take me with the realization that academics comes
first.” |
