Angelica Catacutan, Chase Thompson, Kaylee Daley and David Alexander

The eleventh annual, “Cleveland’s Grit, Gratitude and You” helped guests to celebrate First Tee’s positive impact on local youth.
More than 260 people attended the breakfast at Windows on the River moderated by Dan Moulthrop, CEO of the City Club of Cleveland. David Gilbert, president of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission was honored with the 2022 Del de Windt Leadership Award for Civic Engagement. The Doris A. Evans, M.D. Merit Scholarship was presented to Angelica Catacutan, a senior at Magnificat High School. This year’s scholarship finalists were Kaylee Dale, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School, and Chase Thompson, Cleveland School of Architecture and Design at John Hay. Featured speaker was Desiree Powell, Executive Director of Health, Physical

Joe Boehm IV, Patricia LoPresti and Daryl and Jenniffer Deckard

Education, Interscholastic Athletics and Student Activities for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The event was chaired by Debbie Berry, Joe Boehm IV and Julie Lamb.
The benefit helped to raise more than $75,000 to support the First Tee mission of providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. This year, over 12,000 young people in Northeast Ohio will have some experience with First Tee—Cleveland, whether it is through its eight green grass program locations, its 30 community partnerships or the 50 area schools that First Tee serves.
First Tee builds game changers by empowering kids and teens to be the best version of themselves. Trained coaches not only provide an introduction to junior golf and an opportunity to enhance golf skills, but

Brian McFarland, Desiree Powell, NiQuita Baker and Mike de Windt

they also create a safe, supportive environment to help children prepare for life ahead. Participants ages six through 18 are taught skills that help them to understand and manage emotions, resolve conflicts, set step-by-step goals, plan for the future and appreciate diversity. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPS BY ERIC EAKIN