RAD GRADS All systems go!

Editor's note: This is the third of profiles on local graduates that will be published in The Press in the coming week.

Noelle Murphy dreams of designing airplanes, rockets and spacecraft.

She will attend the University of Washington in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

“It sounds so exciting,” she said. “I have always had strengths in science and math, and it came naturally to me. I am a little too scared to be an astronaut, but I would love to design the rockets that carry people to space.”

Noelle is graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School with a 4.49 GPA and is the Coeur d'Alene High School Class of 2025 salutatorian.

“It was never my goal,” she said. “I wanted to push myself and so I took Advanced Placement classes, and I figured if it happened, it would be a great honor.”

Math is her favorite subject.

“It’s satisfying when you answer the questions correctly and when the equation works out perfectly,” Noelle said. “My favorite teacher is Kari Tapia. She is very inspiring and she pushes us to succeed.”

English was her toughest subject.

“I like to procrastinate, and I would have to write these long essays the night before,” she said with a laugh.

Noelle belongs to a dance club and enjoys hanging out with friends. She also participates in DECA and Mathletes.

Graduation marks a new beginning for Noelle.

“I know some people are super sad to leave their friends behind. I am not sad yet, but I know I will be,” she said. “Right now, I am super excited to graduate. CHS is a great place, and the past four years have been a lot of fun.”

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Marc Stewart is a marketing and content manager with the Coeur d'Alene School District.