Student Athlete of the Week – Alaina Vega

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs High School's girl's water polo utility Alaina Vega is this week's student athlete of the week.

“Alaina, what can I say? She's, just an all around, student, a warrior in the classroom because she's a student first, then an athlete second,” said head coach Michael Marks.

Alaina Vega is a utility for the Palm Springs High School girl's water polo team, which is just one of the many positions she holds.

“When she's not playing water polo, she's at club water polo," Marks said. "If she's not doing water polo she's starting pitching, she was a freshman for the Palm Springs High School softball team, as well as during that season, she also, swims the 500.”

Vega juggles nearly three sports at a time while maintaining a 4.3 weighted GPA. She's helped lead girl's water polo to playoffs, reached league and CIF first team titles and is even on her way to a school record for most varsity wins. But she says that's not all.

“I’m in National Charity League with my mom," Vega said. "It's a mother daughter group, and we've been doing it since I was in seventh grade. It's a great way for me to bond with my mom while also helping out my community. It's really rewarding.”

For Vega, school always comes first as she says it's her future. But in everything she does, she works to lead others.

“I joined the club out in Upland and Corona, and that's where I got more of my skills," Vega said. "I bring back all the skills and everything I get from them and teach it to my my team, my players.” 

“They all look up to her," Marks said. "She's a great teammate. Always positive, always a positive force.”

Vega says she's been working to make an impact on her local community, but her dreams go far beyond serving the Coachella Valley.

“I’m going to be attending Virginia military Institute. I'm going to be able to do Air Force ROTC while also getting to play Division I water polo and majoring in business and economics," Vega said. "I'm hoping that I will enlist in to the Air Force serve my years, serve my country, and then afterwards, I want to become a commercial pilot. That's what all of this is for. That's the goal in the end.”

The student-athlete of the week segment airs every Tuesday on KESQ News Channel 3.

If you know a senior who is a strong student, standout athlete and an exceptional person, submit a nomination to share@kesq.com.