Dear Noah,

I was a sophomore in high school when I heard the beginning of your story, as the introverted high schooler I was, that was the first time I heard about eighth grade you. A kid that loved hanging out with his friends, was close with his family and had a burning passion for football. The first time I heard you were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma and not entirely knowing what this bone cancer was going to do. It was hard to imagine anything like that happening in our tiny Hicksville town, however, no one could have guessed the beauty that would and still comes from you.

I'd like to thank you for being you, Noah. Thank you for your electric spirit that radiated to every corner of our community and beyond. You created a more intimate definition of the term of community that I realized not everyone gets to experience. What started from just a few of the football moms making one hundred t-shirts turned into something beyond what anyone could have predicted. From the beginning, it was amazing to see the beginnings of Team Noah to spread into a neon army! You brought us together with even our rivals, the Fairview Apaches! They look so much better in neon than in black and gold.

Every time I saw you walk through the hallways, you were never without a smile. No matter what had happened earlier in the day, what doctor's appointment you came from, or just coming to visit everyone, you always had a smile on your face. It was very apparent that you care and love all of your friends and teachers at Hicksville and how valuable everyone there is to you.

Being further away from Hicksville gives me a different perspective and the ability to see the continuing unity you create. Seeing my alma mater continuing to lift you up brightens my day and everyone else's. I love seeing my social media Team Noah yellow. Also, who doesn't look good in these shirts? Hicksville has all of the Team Noah swag.

Noah, you make me proud of where I came from. I'm proud to be from a strong, small town who are willing to sacrifice and fight with someone who they believe in. You're the strongest kid I've had the honor to have gone to school with even though I was a few years older. The example you have set and the admirable character you have shown has made such an impact. You are so loved and all of us will be standing next to you. Your story is one that should be shouted from the rooftops, and someone as special as you deserves all of the love this world has to offer.

As it has been from the beginning, "no one fights alone."