About Noah Omura

Noah Omura is a 17-year-old Senior at Dreher High School in Columbia, SC. He has been volunteering at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center every summer since 2021, completing a total of 5 years and 727 hours of service. During those years, Noah volunteered in different areas of the hospital, assisting subject matter experts in the Community Living Center, Physical Therapy Department, and the Welcome Center.

In 2023 and 2024, Noah was inducted into the Medical Research Program through the VA, which inspired him to take on the AP Capstone Project. This included classes dedicated to learning the skills required to conduct and write a research paper, as well as present it. Noah will receive his AP Capstone Diploma at the end of his senior year. His years at the VA have also inspired him to pursue a career in Psychiatry.

In his free time, Noah enjoys reading, running, and going out with friends. He was on the Cross Country team at Dreher and now runs for fun and exercise with his friends. He also participates in local 5k races, such as the recent Tunnels2Towers 5k, a charity event that raised money for building mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans. Noah has also volunteered at previous Tunnels2Towers events.

Academics are of great importance to Noah, and he has received numerous awards and certificates of accomplishment throughout his educational career, including:

• Junior Scholar 2025 for: USC Aiken, USC Upstate, Lander University
• Wofford Scholars Program 2025
• Presbyterian College Fellows Award 2025
• National Honor Society 2024
• Columbia VA Medical Science Student Program Certificate 2024
• Columbia VA CD&CE Certificate 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Richland One-S.C Gifted and Talented Program 2024
• Columbia VA High School Research Program Certificate 2023
• CITI Program Certificate: Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research 2023
• The President's Volunteer Service Award 2023
• USC Carolina Master Scholar Award 2022
• National Junior Honors Society Certificate 2022
• Unsung Hero Award in recognition of selfless actions to Veterans in the Community Living Center 2022
• Student Leadership Council Certificate 2022
• The President's Volunteer Service Award 2022
• Cardinal Newman School Certificate of Outstanding Achievement (Humanities and Inquiry) 2022
• South Carolina Independent School Association - George Grice 8th Grade Scholar Award 2022
• South Carolina Department of Education Junior Scholar Award (Outstanding Intellectual Achievement) 2022
• USC Carolina Master Scholars Certificate: Adventures in Engineering 2022
• Columbia Star Recognition: Cardinal Newman School student honored for contribution in Columbia 2022
• Rustic Pathways Recognition: High School Students Honored for Volunteer Work & Positive Impact 2022
• Shark Tank Winner (Columbia VA Health Care System) 2021
• TEDx Veterans Affairs Presenter: Theme - Recovering and Rebuilding 2021
• USC Carolina Master Scholars Certificate: Adventures in Graphic/Digital Design 2021
• Cardinal Newman School Certificate of Outstanding Achievement (World Cultures Honors) 2021
• IT-oLogy Cyber Security Camp Certificate 2020
• President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence 2020
• Duke Tip Academic Adventures Certificate 2019
• USC Carolina Master Scholars Certificate: Adventures in Animatronics Diorama 2019
• Most Effective Attorney Certificate: Middle School Mock Trial State Regional Competition