Nuñez receives $10K scholarship

NEWPORT BEACH — A short time before Talhia Nuñez was born her uncles gathered around to decide on a name for their first niece to be born in America.

They put names in a hat and out came the unique moniker of Talhia (pronounced tuh-leah). It seemed to fit, a rare name for a special girl.

The Costa Mesa High senior’s first name and the story behind it provided more meaning to the honor she received Tuesday at the Newport Beach Marriott.

Talhia received a $10,000 scholarship and a laptop computer, as she was one of the two top students of this year’s Toshiba Classic Scholarship Fund.

Nuñez, who carries a 3.8 grade point average, said she will be the first in her family to go to college. She plans on pursuing a degree in sociology and her top college choice is Williams College in Massachusetts.

She is in the top 10% of her class.

“It was overwhelming,” Nuñez said of being honored at the Toshiba Classic’s annual breakfast. “I was very proud.

“I’m the first in my family to go to college ... I’ll be the first to graduate from college.”

At Costa Mesa, Nuñez has been known for more than just having a different first name. She’s been a standout for the girls’ water polo and swimming teams. Up until this year, she was in band, playing the alto saxophone for the jazz, marching and concert bands. But she had to give it up to give more time to water polo. This year, she also found time to serve as publicity commissioner for the student body.

Still, Nuñez made sure to make her senior year count in the pool. She just finished up with the girls’ water polo team and she’s competing for the swim team.

Nuñez led the Mustangs girls’ water polo team with 55 goals on her way to first-team All-Orange Coast League recognition. The team’s MVP also had 35 steals.

“She’s just very tenacious,” said Tim Postiff, the Costa Mesa girls’ water polo coach. “She never gave up. She’s a very smart player. She could be a vocal and quiet leader. She could speak to some kids who needed a talking to when necessary, and other times she led by example.”

Postiff said he was impressed with the way Nuñez was able to juggle her schedule. Most of the time, she showed up to school at 5:45 a.m., get her practice time in and lifted weights before setting out on her regular school day.

“She just works very hard,” Tahlia’s mother, Ana Nuñez, said in Spanish. “I was very happy to see her get this award. She just works so hard.”

Talhia’s father, Victor, was also there Tuesday morning, beaming with pride. Talhia said he works two jobs to provide for the family that recently welcomed a new addition. Little Isaac was born two years ago. Because Victor Nuñez would sometimes work full weekends, Talhia, in addition to her studies and extracurricular activities, would have to help out with taking care of the baby. She learned to change diapers and feed Isaac.

“He’s been a huge change in our lifestyle,” Talhia said. “But I can’t imagine what our family would be without him.”

Talhia has assuredly made an impact on her family, as well.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].