When we are little, many of us dream of being things when we grow up – a cowboy, an astronaut, a writer or maybe a unicorn. Most of us change our minds as we age (or realize we cannot, unfortunately, become a unicorn). But not Noah Aquino, a senior at North Beach High School. Since the age of five or six he dreamed of going to West Point. A dream that has now become a reality.
“When I was five or six years old, I was watching tv with my mom,” Noah shares. “It was a documentary about West Point. There were soldiers flying helicopters, jumping out of airplanes and traveling to various places. At that point, my older brother had left for basic training so whenever I saw soldiers, I looked for him everywhere. I wanted to be just like him. I knew that West Point is where soldiers went so I wanted to go there.” He remembers telling his mom that he was going to go there.
And he credits his mom for helping him achieve his goal. “She has been the best role model,” he says.
A Desire to Serve Led North Beach Senior to West Point
Throughout his youth, Noah has been drawn to serving others. Something he has watched his two older brothers – both in the military – do as well. “Growing up in a rural community as a Native person, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of limited resources and opportunities,” shares Noah. This experience instilled in me, a sense of responsibility to advocate for youth.
He is a member of the Washington State Leadership Board Compassion Scholar Cohort and a lead student advisor of the Washington State Equity in Education Coalition and more. Through these programs, he has seen firsthand the difference a person can make if they engage in civil-mindedness, service and humanitarianism.
While serving, he worked with underserved communities in rural areas, traveled to Spain to work with refugees and visited their parliament with U.S. legislator Claire Wilson.
“When thinking about our military, most people think about wars and I have seen that too, but there is whole other part I wish more people would see and talk about, which is the humanitarian part of it,” explains Noah. “Learning to work with our foreign counterparts, learning to work with other countries with compassion and respect. That is what I have been focusing on the last two years and would like to do more of, after I finish my degree.”
Becoming a West Point Cadet: A Grays Harbor Student’s Journey
Out of more than 14,000 applications, North Beach High School senior Noah Aquino was one of just 1,200 students to be accepted into West Point. The appointment includes a full scholarship worth over $400,000. Cadets also receive medical and dental care and a monthly stipend.
Candidates need to have a congressional nomination, Noah had two from Derek Kilmer from District 6 and Senator Maria Cantwell. They must score a minimum of 1250 on their SATs, pass a physical fitness test and a medical exam. In addition, they need to have leadership and community service experience. Their high school GPA must be at least 3.8, have AP classes, and include essays and writing samples. They are then interviewed by a panel. “Each application is judged by 60% academics, 30% leadership experience and 10% physical fitness ability,” explains Noah.
“Excited and in disbelief…more disbelief, like, did that just happen?” he says on his reaction to learning he was accepted. “It was a mix of emotions for an entire week. It took a while before it sunk in that, this is really happening. I have thought about this for so long and worked so hard to get here, it’s surreal.”
For his mother, Kristin Farris, the news brought mixed emotions. “I was excited and sad at the same time,” she says. “Excited for this next chapter and for the monumental goal he set for himself and achieved, and at the same time, sad that this current chapter will soon close. I thought about all the parents sending their ‘babies’ to academies in the next few months, knowing they are young men and women who are the best and brightest and are becoming men and women who will serve our country for years to come. For me, beginning the process of letting go, knowing he’s committed to a higher calling. I truly don’t think I actually can stand in his way…this kid is the one who literally will go through a brick wall to achieve his goals.”
At West Point Noah will have the opportunity to continue to follow his dreams to change the world. He hopes to study civil engineering, to work in disaster areas, waterways and land development. “I would also like to study economics and end in a job field that I would have the most proficiency and influence in,” he adds.
Noah Aquino will report to West Point on June 30, 2025. We all wish you the best of luck.
