Student Spotlight: Noah Colby
This month, Stroll Inside The Gates is thrilled to pull back the curtains on the feats of Noah Colby, a young man overflowing with musical and intellectual talent. A resident of Reynolds for over twelve years, Noah attends Lake Oconee Academy and lives with his parents, Craig and Alicia Colby, and his two younger sisters, Macy and Lillie Mae.
As a rising senior, Noah builds on years of hard work as his future begins to take shape. Aspiring to pursue a career in law, AP Seminar is Noah’s favorite class. “It’s allowed me to dive deeper into interesting topics and helped me prepare articles over fifteen pages long”, he says, a key part of getting prepared for college. Noah fosters long-standing connections with both his teachers and his peers, many of which have molded him into who he is today. “I’ve had Mrs. Amy Reber as my piano instructor since kindergarten, and she’s helped me get various private lessons and connections with different colleges and work opportunities, such as the University of Miami and Oconee Performing Arts Society”, he recalls. “She’s kept me staying consistent with my practice, even when, in middle school, I wasn’t very motivated to.”
Today, Noah boasts quite a handful of testaments to his legacy of hard work. As has been said, Noah started practicing piano at a young age, and he’s become a repeat perfect scorer at the National Piano Guild judging. “Alongside with piano and percussion in the school band, I’m learning drums, bass guitar, ukelele, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and most recently, the banjo”, says Noah. After joining the Athens Youth Symphony and the school jazz band, he received a District Honor Band Award for percussion. Don’t let these awards distract you, though, as Noah’s intellectual skills are right on par with his musical genius. Noah was the first-place recipient for Musicology at the Beta State Convention and received a First Honorary Mention at the Georgia State Poetry Society Competition. He’s an honor roll student and participates in the National Art Honor Society.
When he isn’t performing or studying, Noah stays active with his hobbies and friends. Noah has been a Boy Scout since the first grade and recently earned the title of Eagle Scout. Noah also plays competitive tennis for LOA. “I enjoy Reynolds’ tennis facilities and gyms”, he remarks. “I enjoy being in a tight-knit community with my friends. They’re my greatest motivation; They’re each really good at something, and it helps me feel like I need to continue working on my goals.” Noah works as an intern at the Oconee Performing Arts Society, which has greatly helped him understand the business side of music performances. He adds, “You can also find me on Sunday mornings, playing hymns for Lake Oconee Community Church.
As for the next steps, Noah is well-prepared. He states, “I am currently interested in Belmont University and will pursue a degree in music business alongside studying law in hopes of becoming an Intellectual Property Attorney. I want to keep a strong social life as an adult, and my goal is to help change the current copyright law when I grow up.”
Noah credits his strong foundation to his parents. “My parents have been nothing but supportive in helping me get to my goals, whether it’s academic or otherwise, and they’re willing to reach out to others that would push me further”, he says. Noah’s parents have encouraged him to find and excel in each of his interests. They, alongside countless others, have guided the unstoppable force that is Noah Colby – a young man exploding with talent, passion, and potential.
