April 27, 2009 — Noah Kai Tobias never had any interest in attending a typical four-year college, but when a teacher at Country Day School suggested the U.S. Naval Academy, that kindled his interest.
"I didn't want to go to college right out of high school," Tobias says. "I checked out the Academy and started to like what I was reading and how they present challenges to you."
The Academy was right up his alley because he loved anything that had to do with the military, Tobias says. He applied, got appointed and will head off in July to the prestigious, historic institution in Annapolis, Md.
The highly competitive admission process consisted of letters of recommendation from language arts, math and science teachers, and a recommendation from Delegate Donna M. Christensen. Also required was proof of participation in extracurricular activities and high SAT and ACT scores. Tobias says he is the typical B student.
Tobias successfully competed with outstanding young people from across the country for admission to the institution, Christensen says in a recent news release. The highly competitive program prepares young men and women morally, mentally and physically for the privilege of leading sailors and Marines.
"I am very proud of Noah," Christensen says. "He is among the best and brightest young people on St. Croix, and I look forward to seeing him join the ranks of the more than 72,000 men and women who have attended the U. S. Naval Academy."
The tall, muscular, 18-year-old senior at Country Day School could already pass for a plebe with his close-cropped hair and respectful, courteous manner.
Tobias will spend six weeks this summer as a plebe engaged in leadership training, team building and extreme physical exercise. His focus for studies will be as a mechanical engineer. The Academy has a strong mix of academics and athletics, he says. He will be required to play a varsity or intramural team sport, and would like to play soccer. He has played soccer since he was in the third grade.
After he gets his bachelor's degree Tobias will serve his five years of active duty as a Marine.
"The Marines are more hands-on people," Tobias says. "They are the first in and the last out and in the thick of things. I will just do what they tell me to do and try my hardest."
When asked about the fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, he says he isn't concerned about getting involved.
"We're there for a reason," Tobias says. "It's our job. The United States needs soldiers and good leaders."
He looks forward to expanding his horizons.
"I am a little nervous, but I'm more excited about getting out into the rest of the world," Tobias says. "I really will miss St. Croix — it is my one and only home."
Tobias, born on St. Croix, is the son of William and Christina Tobias.
Growing up on St. Croix, he loved being with his dad and doing things in and around the water such as diving and snorkeling.
"I always liked playing with G.I. Joe action figures, too," Tobias says with a big smile as he recounts his early interest in the military.
He recently became an Eagle Scout after coming up through the ranks of scouting, starting in the first grade. His service project to become an Eagle Scout was a restoration project at South Gate Coastal Reserve owned by the St. Croix Environmental Association. The project included removal of non-native invasive species of plants and the re-establishment of native species, such as the almond tree.
"Scouting was a fantastic experience that really helped me grow," Tobias says.
He is active in the St. Croix Christian Church youth group and works at Kendrick's Restaurant.
Dawn Grey, calculus, geometry and physics teacher at Country Day, had nothing but glowing terms for Tobias, saying he is an all-around great young man.
"He has self-awareness that has driven him to aspire to the levels he has accomplished," Grey says. "He is a problem-solver and uses logic, and he is supportive of his fellow classmates."
Tobias would eventually like to get married, raise a family and have a career in government law enforcement in the FBI or CIA.
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