Talia Edmonds Full Bio
Talia Edmonds, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been actively involved with the Kzoo LEADERs organization since its establishment in 2008. Starting at a young age, Talia attended the inaugural Kzoo LEADERs Camp in 2008 and continued to participate in subsequent speed, agility, and leadership development training sessions. During her adolescence, Talia not only engaged in these training programs but also contributed to their administration, supporting athletes of all ages and skill levels.Talia is a distinguished alumna of Kalamazoo Central High School, where she demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess by earning 13 varsity letters over her four years of study. She excelled in various sports, including volleyball, basketball, softball, and soccer, while also dedicating a year to junior varsity track and field. Throughout her tenure at Kalamazoo Central, Talia served as team captain for multiple sports, exemplifying strong leadership qualities. Additionally, she was an active member of the National Honor Society, amassing over 500 volunteer hours, and pursued advanced coursework, including college and AP classes, alongside the standard curriculum. Talia's notable achievements include setting records for career digs and ranking second in career aces. Furthermore, she has earned several prominent distinctions, such as:
● Four-time First Team All-Conference selections
● All-Region recognition in both 2016 and 2017
● All-State Honorable Mention in her senior year
● Three-time First Team All-Conference selection for softball
● Academic All-State distinction
● Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Award RecipientUpon graduating, Talia secured a position on Michigan State University's Elite Eight performing team, where she competed from 2018 to 2021 while completing her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies. During her tenure at Michigan State, she also pursued double minors in Youth & Society and Women's and Gender Studies. Recognized for her exemplary character and leadership, Talia was elected team captain by both teammates and coaches during her senior season. Additionally, she actively served as her team's representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a board member for the Diversity and Leadership Committee, and an executive board member of the Women's Leadership Committee. Committed to her passion for positively impacting children's lives, Talia engaged in coaching club volleyball, worked as a YMCA camp counselor, and mentored middle school students amongst other positions within the community.In January 2022, Talia transferred to the University of Hawai'i at Manoa to fulfill her remaining two years of athletic eligibility. Presently, Talia is pursuing a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Behavioral Mental Health at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. Currently engaged in her Generalist Year practicum, she works with the Department of Education's Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this capacity, Talia conducts outreach programs at various shelters across the states.