Chapin nets $10K check

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NEWPORT BEACH — Cori Chapin smiled as she opened an envelope with a check for $10,000.

“I have never seen that much money before,” the Estancia High senior said moments after posing for a photo with the check.

Chapin, a soccer player for the Eagles, was one of two Toshiba Classic scholarship winners honored during a breakfast at the Newport Beach Hotel Marriott and Spa Tuesday morning.

Chapin was picked among, “over hundreds of applicants for the scholarship,” said Mark Simons, president and CEO of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. Being involved in clubs, as well as competing in three sports, including cross country, soccer and track and field, made Chapin’s resume stand out. But there’s also a back story to Chapin that certainly helped her chances.

Chapin lives in Costa Mesa, where she helps take care of the family with her mother, Gina, a single mom.

“It’s been kind of hard lately,” Chapin said.

At times, Chapin must watch over her younger brothers, Christian, 13, and Nathan, 7, and sister Mariah, who’s a freshman at Estancia. The mother works as a receptionist and has served inspiration for Chapin.

“She’s really hard working and dedicated to us,” Chapin said. “She does a lot of stuff for us.”

Chapin has used the inspiration to help her in academics and athletics. As a sweeper for the Estancia girls’ soccer team, she helped lead the Eagles to a share of the Orange Coast League championship. It was Estancia’s first league title in girls’ soccer in years. Chapin started on the Eagles’ varsity team for all four seasons.

Beyond the playing field, Chapin is planning to be the first from her family to attend college. She hopes to go to one of three colleges, UC Berkley , UC Santa Cruz or Dominican, in the fall. She wants to study to become an adoption social worker.