Another honor for Boonville HS swimmer | Schools

Boonville High School student Noah James has yet another honor to celebrate.  The junior, who recently found out he will represent the state of Indiana for the National High School Spirit of Sport award, recently received another recognition.

Noah is a winner of the Methodist Sports Medicine Thomas A. Brady Comeback Scholarship Award.  

"The Comeback Scholarship Award honors student athletes who have overcome adversity or injury," explained Boonville High School guidance counselor Amy Ulrey.

Noah will receive a $1,000 scholarship at an awards ceremony next month in Indianapolis.  Cold head coach Chuck Pagano, who has battled leukemia, will give a keynote speech.

Last summer, Noah underwent a double lung transplant.  He was able to rejoin the Boonville swim team this past fall, just four months after his surgery.

"What a miracle to see this astonishing young man be able and willing to return to the sport and team that he so treasures.  After his first week back in the pool, I remember asking Noah how it felt to get back in the pool.  Noah emphatically declared that his lungs 'did not come from a swimmer.'  I fondly remember reveling at the miracle I was witnessing none the less," Ulrey wrote in the application for the Comeback Scholarship Award.

In addition to medical issues associated with his transplant, Noah also lives with Asperger's, which can make social interaction more challenging.

"He is truly an inspiration to our school, his teammates, and our entire Boonville Community.  Noah has a great attitude about swimming, team work, and dedication.   He never complains about his diagnosis, his need for a transplant, or his breathing difficulty.  He has proven to be a great motivation to his teammates thanks to his perseverance and adversity.  Noah currently volunteers by giving swim lessons to a six year old named Judah. Judah also suffers from Asperger’s so he and Noah have a great understanding of each other," Ulrey continued. 

The Comeback Scholarship Award ceremony will be held at 6:00pm, April 11th at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

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