Student Spotlight: Noah Aquino

This piece is about Victor Morales, a Human Services student at Grays Harbor College (GHC) whose journey embodies incredible personal growth and the impact of giving back to others.

For Noah Aquino, learning has never been about just checking boxes, but about pushing limits and making a difference. As a Running Start student at Grays Harbor College (GHC), he’s been doing just that. Now, with an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, he’s preparing for his next big step.

Noah’s journey isn’t just about academics or military service. At his core, he’s driven by a deep passion for helping others. Whether it’s working on suicide prevention efforts here in Washington State, assisting refugees in Spain, or paving his own path to West Point, Noah is proving that with determination, anything is possible.

Noah’s decision to attend GHC came from the realization that he needed more than what he was receiving. "North Beach High School didn’t have any advanced placement classes that I could take, and I had already tested out of all the other classes," he explained. "I didn’t want to just sit around, so I applied to Gryas Harbor so that I could keep learning."

Throughout high school, Noah dedicated himself to humanitarian work. "I’ve always wanted to help people," he said. "I worked with legislators and the attorney general on a suicide prevention app and website, and this past spring, I traveled to Spain to work with refugees. That experience really solidified my passion for humanitarian aid."

His long-term goal is to make a difference through disaster relief and community service. "For me, it’s not just about a career, it’s about people," he said. Noah’s decision to join the military wasn’t a sudden one, it’s been a part of his life from the start. "My grandpa served in Vietnam, and my brother went to basic training when I was just three or four. That’s one of my earliest memories," he shared. But why West Point? "I want to be an officer and continue my education while serving," he explained. "West Point is the best place to do both."

Getting into a military academy isn’t as simple as submitting an application, it’s an intense, multi-step process. "To get a congressional nomination from Representative Derek Kilmer, I had to apply online and go through an interview with a panel of five or six former academy grads," Noah said. "They ask why you want to go, what motivates you, and use the interview to determine whether you’re the right fit. It’s not easy, but it was worth it."

Noah ended up receiving multiple nominations, a huge accomplishment in itself.

While he’s always been a strong student, Noah credits GHC with preparing him for the challenges ahead. "The coursework at GHC is much more rigorous than high school, so I’ve had to actually study and learn time management," he said. "I didn’t have to study at all in high school, so it’s been good to learn how to. Beyond that, being in college has helped me mature faster by just being around different people and learning how to navigate new environments."

Noah believes that great leadership comes down to three things: compassion, sacrifice, and high standards. "You have to understand the people you’re leading and put yourself in their shoes," he said. "At the same time, good leaders make tough decisions and hold themselves accountable."

One of the biggest challenges Noah faced was navigating the West Point application process from a rural area. "Coming from a small town, there weren’t a lot of resources to guide me," he said. "I had to go out of my way to find opportunities and figure things out myself. It was extra work, but I made it happen."

Through it all, Noah credits his mother for being a constant source of support and inspiration. "My mom has always pushed me to be my best while also reminding me to stay true to myself," he shared. "She’s been my biggest cheerleader, whether it was navigating high school and college courses, filling out applications, or just reminding me to take a breath when things got overwhelming. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her."

Between school, leadership responsibilities, and preparing for West Point, Noah has had to find a way to balance everything. His secret: intentional time management. "I make sure to schedule breaks, whether it’s scrolling through TikTok or hanging out with friends," he said. "If you don’t set aside time to recharge, you’ll burn out. It’s all about finding that balance between taking care of yourself and putting your head down and grinding."

At West Point, Noah plans to study civil engineering and later work in disaster relief. "I don’t just want to be in the profession of arms, I want to be in the profession of people," he said.

One of the things he’s most excited about is, “Being surrounded by like-minded people. Everyone at West Point is a top student, athlete, or leader. They have all worked just as hard as I have to be there. That kind of environment is going to push me to be better."

For students considering military academies or leadership roles, Noah’s advice is simple: make sure it’s what you really want. "If you truly want to go, you’ll find a way to make it happen," he said. "But if your heart isn’t in it, they’ll figure that out real quick."

When asked what he is most proud of in his journey so far, Noah says, “That I have made an impact in my peers and my community in a positive way. I could have not gotten into West Point, done all these things, I could have not contributed, and that would have been a failure in my eyes. Helping my peers do better for themselves, helping the refugees and homeless people, contributing to kids’ rights or preventing suicide in our state. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve done, and I feel like I have succeeded.”

To anyone doubting whether they can achieve big things, Noah has one final message: "It is very much possible. You don’t have to be some generational talent or an anomaly, you can do great things now—you just have to work hard for it."