By Emma Johns

OKEECHOBEE — Daniel Nunez Jr., a junior at Okeechobee High School (OHS), just wrapped up his third year as a varsity football player for the Okeechobee Brahmans. Nunez plays line backer, running back and full back and has enjoyed the sport since he was 9 years old.

Nunez maintains that his classroom performance is just as important as on-field performance, which he proved through his recent recognition as a Scholar Athlete, an award he has earned for three consecutive years.

“Being a three-year varsity letterman and Scholar Athlete means a lot to me,” he said. “Most freshman do not make varsity, and to hold a 3.5 GPA during the season is not easy. I work really hard to keep my grades up.”

Nunez said football helps him relieve the stress of school and other responsibilities throughout the week.

“It also helps me look at life differently and I appreciate everything, especially the life lessons that my coaches have taught me,” he said.

Besides football and academics, Nunez also keeps busy on the OHS student government where he served as class president his freshman and sophomore year. He is also a member of the National Young Leaders of America which gave him the opportunity to attend the presidential inauguration his sophomore year.

This year, in addition to his rigorous athletic and academic schedule, Nunez is taking two foreign languages – Creek and Spanish.

“Taking two foreign languages has been a challenge for me, but I am really looking forward to traveling to Spain for eight days with my Spanish teacher and three other students in March,” he said.

Nunez said that his mother, Peggy Nunez, and father, Daniel Nunez Sr., have influenced his life the most.

“My dad has coached me since I was 5 and has taught me a lot about sports and life that I will take with me through life,” Nunez said. “My mom has always been my biggest fan and has instilled in me that education is very important.”

Aside from being a star student and athlete, Nunez is a great example for his three younger sisters Cheyenne, Joleyne and Daliyah and continues to make his older sister Courtney and parents proud.

After graduation, Nunez plans to attend college and study business administration.

“I plan on going to college, getting my degree and making my parents proud,” he said.