Mia Burchette & Natalie Henslin Receive 2026 Dye Family Award

There are moments in youth development when you can see a young person transform – not in a single dramatic leap, but in the quiet, powerful ways that shape a life. At First Tee – South Central Wisconsin, we witness these moments every season. They unfold on quiet practice greens, in long summer lessons, during tough tournaments, and in the small, steady acts of kindness that build character. They remind us why this program matters. The values we teach become the values our young people carry into the world.

This year, we honor two extraordinary young women with the First Tee – South Central Wisconsin Dye Family Award.  Their journeys embody the Nine Core Values First Tee stands for:  perseverance, confidence, integrity, respect, responsibility, courtesy, judgment, honesty, and sportsmanship.

Mia Burchette

Mia Burchette’s First Tee journey began in 2018. She openly acknowledges that First Tee “has shaped both who I am on and off the golf course.”

As a student, Mia excelled across AP sciences, advanced mathematics, and French, graduating with a 3.985 GPA. Her transcript reads like a portrait of discipline and curiosity, but her character is what shines brightest.

On the golf course, Mia was a four‑year MVP, a sectional qualifier, and a consistent First or Second Team All‑Conference honoree. Yet she never speaks first about her scores. Instead, she talks about the joy of watching a young golfer light up after hitting a great shot, saying it’s “a great feeling when a young golfer smiles… after hitting an amazing shot.” That is what drives her.

Her leadership extends far beyond golf. Mia’s band teacher writes that she is “one of the finest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching.”  Moreover, he notes with pride that Mia served as lead drum major for three years, despite its extraordinary demands, “which has never happened before.”  Mia didn’t just excel; she set a new standard.

Whether she’s mentoring young golfers or guiding younger musicians, Mia leads with empathy, patience, and a quiet confidence that makes others believe in themselves. She embodies the First Tee values not as concepts, but as daily practice.  

Natalie Henslin

Natalie Henslin’s story is one of resilience – the kind that is earned through experience, not taught in a classroom. Nevertheless, Natalie’s academic achievements are distinguished. She graduated top 1% of her class with a 3.989 GPA, earning Direct Admit status to the UW–Madison School of Business. Her transcript shows mastery across AP Calculus, AP Statistics, advanced Spanish, dual‑credit English, and more. But her defining moment she credits to First Tee. It happened on the first hole of her junior year sectionals meet.

Natalie stepped up to the tee with parents and coaches watching. She swung, and the ball went out of bounds. She swung again, out of bounds. And again. She finished the hole with a 10, a devastating start to an 18‑hole tournament. But, she “refused to let [that beginning] define the rest of the game.” Instead of crumbling, she leaned into the values she learned through First Tee, especially confidence and perseverance, reminding herself that she still had seventeen holes left. She steadied her mind, breathed, and played on. By the end of the round, she had scored a 93, one of her best scores ever at that point.

Her coach describes her as someone who lifts others up, helping younger teammates refine their skills and learn the etiquette of the game. “Natalie truly cares about the development of others,” he says. Natalie herself writes about one young golfer she coached for several years, saying that “seeing her confidence, resilience, and determination grow was all the payment I needed.”

Like Mia, Natalie’s service extends far beyond golf. She has mentored younger musicians, led as Tri‑M President, qualified twice for DECA nationals, served as Field Commander in marching band, and volunteered across her school and community. Natalie doesn’t just participate, she contributes. She embodies responsibility in its purest form.

Looking Ahead

As Mia and Natalie begin their college journeys, they carry with them the lessons, values, and relationships that shaped them through the First Tee. Their futures are bright, not only because of their achievements, but because of the character behind them. The Dye Family and First Tee – South Central Wisconsin are thrilled to present them with the Dye Family College Award of 2026.