Noah Davis: A rising star in academia

By: Elijah Hill, Contributing Writer ​

Pictured left to right, Noah Davis, Jean Becker, Tonya Schmidt

​Gold star student, Noah Davis, recently attended Missouri Scholars Academy, a three week camp that took place at the University of Missouri campus, from June 11th through July 1st.

 Missouri Scholars Academy is an opportunity for upcoming, academically outstanding high school juniors to focus on specific areas of education they would like to further. 

In this academy students are able to choose two classes, a major and a minor. Some of the classes a student can take include: American Sign Language, computer programming, metalsmithing, Shakespearean literature and more. Noah’s classes consisted of a major in American Sign Language and a minor in Quite Puzzling. 

Davis was one of many students chosen by MSA to represent Centralia High School for his academic excellence. This prestige academy only accepts one student from each school with aptitude test scores, two student essays, two letters of recommendation with at least one being from a teacher, evidence of leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving ability, initiative and the projected benefits to the student for participating in the academy.  

“I really enjoyed my time at Missouri Scholars Academy. I was able to learn not only in my classes, but I also learned time management and social skills. My favorite part of MSA by far was meeting people from vastly different backgrounds,” stated Davis.

At this conference Jean Becker, former Chief of Staff during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, attended as a guest speaker. She spoke about how growing up in a small town is not a disadvantage, as she grew up in Martinsburg, Missouri. 

Noah Davis was not the only person to be able to experience this however. Each student who attends is able to choose one teacher that has impacted them the most. Mrs. Tonya Schmidt, Chemistry/Physics teacher at CHS was nominated by Noah for an excellence award. 

“It was an honor to be chosen by Noah Davis and to attend the award dinner and festivities at the Mizzou Alumni building. We are truly blessed in Centralia to have so many outstanding young men and women in our classrooms. Noah was a great representative for CHS during the Missouri Scholars Academy. It was a true delight to see him in a different academic setting and succeeding. I want to thank Noah for giving me this opportunity to grow and learn as well, ” stated Schmidt.