Noah Schwartz, a former student at Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, has been awarded the $40,000 St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Independent School Association of the Southwest and Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools Merit Scholarship.

The scholarship, valued at $10,000 annually and renewable for a total award of $40,000, goes to students who have a demonstrated record of academic excellence and motivation and scores above the national norms on the admission tests. Active participation in school organizations, athletics, fine arts and/or community service is expected, as well as a commitment from the student to a high set of values including character, inclusiveness, tolerance and service.

Schwartz attended Annunciation Orthodox School from kindergarten through the eighth grade. During his eighth-grade year at AOS, Noah was the captain of both the football and basketball teams and was active in community service. He first learned about St. Stephen’s when he visited the campus with his father two years ago.

“The first time I saw the school, I thought it was a very pretty setting,” Schwartz said. “I also liked the diversity within the student body and that there were students and faculty from all over the world.”

Asked about how life might be away from home, Schwartz said he is looking forward to the new experience and is excited about having a roommate from Korea.

“I asked for a roommate from a different country, so that I can learn about another culture,” Schwartz said. “I think I will be able to learn a lot from him. That is one of the main reasons why I wanted to come to St. Stephen’s. I want to be with other students who are so different from me.”

Since coming to St. Stephen’s, Noah has joined the football team and has become involved with Model United Nations. He joins 157 boarding students from 29 towns in Texas, five states, and 18 countries.