Student Spotlight for Feb. 10: Noah Coor

Age: 18.

School: Avanti High School in Olympia.

Grade: 12.

Parents: Sam and Marissa Coor.

Best Personal Achievement: In July, I had an opportunity to travel with a group of 12 students to Senegal, Africa. We learned about the culture and participated in a weeklong community service project with 60 Senegalese youth, ages 16-25. Giving back to the less fortunate areas of the world is very important to me. When the project was complete, all the participants received a certificate for their participation. I was honored to be recognized as the “Best Camper of 2012.” It was a wonderful feeling.

How I spend my time: Besides going to school and studying, I would say the majority of my free time is spent outside, despite the weather.

Favorite subject: Science, because it teaches me the laws of nature.

Favorite movie: “Wild America,” because it follows three daring brothers through the wilderness in their epic adventures to film rare animals.

Favorite book: “Winners Never Quit: Athletes Who Beat the Odds” by Nathan Aaseng. It tells the story of famous sports athletes that overcome severe limiting disabilities to become legends.

Dream job: I can’t say that I have a specific dream job. I tend to like sciences more than other subjects and I’d like to explore more of my options before I commit myself to a career.

Someone I respect: My math teacher, Todd Thedell. He inspires me to believe in myself.

The hardest part about being a student is: I love to learn, but I hate to study.

My ambitions or career aspirations include: Happiness and become a well-rounded member of society.

Someone famous I would like to meet: Albert Einstein.

Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “I’m glad that I trusted my intuition to make good choices for myself, because everything turned out just fine.”

Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Fear of the unknown.

One thing in the world I would change if I could: Stop others from legislating morality.

Nominated by: Principal Mike Velasquez, who wrote, “Noah Coor is one of a kind. He is genuine, kind, compassionate, and committed to social justice and environmentalism. His travels and outreach have broadened his awareness of economic and social inequity which has contributed to his actions locally. As Avanti’s ASB president, he is currently leading our school’s food drive for the Thurston County Food Bank. He understands the importance of service and plans to make a career of being a steward of the environment. I can’t imagine a better person for the job.”

To nominate a ninth- to 12th-grade student for Student Spotlight, email the following information to lpemberton@theolympian.com, fax it to 360-357-0202, or mail it to P.O. Box 407, Olympia, WA 98507, attention Lisa Pemberton.

Selected students must submit a photograph and fill out a questionnaire.

Provide the student’s name, age, grade, school name, telephone number and/or email; a quote about the student from a school staff member; and the name and contact information of the nominator.