Pacifica Stories

For rising seniorNoah Avoungnassou, Pacifica has been a place of discovery—of friendship, confidence, and a love for the performing arts.

Noah first encountered Pacifica through the theatre program. While attending the school's 2022 production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he found himself drawn not only to what was happening on stage, but also to the sense of belonging that filled the room. "I saw the amount of fun and passion put out on stage, and the communal support and love around me at the seats. I knew I wanted to be a part of such a welcoming family."

Since then, Noah has become an active member of PACARTS, performing in this year's fall musical Anastasia and spring play Wit. One of the defining experiences of his time in the program came last summer, when Pacifica's cast and crew traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform The Theory of Relativity at the world's largest performing arts festival.

"It was so inspiring seeing so many other groups and people perform, as well as watching professional shows and exploring cities around the UK with my friends," Noah says. Among his favorite memories from the trip was a quiet evening spent with friends, when he saw shooting stars for the first time.

For Noah, however, the arts are only part of what makes Pacifica special. He points to the community as the school's greatest strength. Whether in theatre, athletics, or other programs, he has found people who value one another beyond talent or achievement. "Everyone inside and outside clubs, sports teams, and arts are genuine friends, and see past your skill level." Even during his time on the Track & Field team, he says he looked forward to practice simply because of the people around him.

That support has helped Noah grow in meaningful ways. "Middle school Noah was much more introverted," he reflects. "Through my time here, I've become comfortable enough around the people around campus to fully be myself, and loudly display my goals with the support of the friends I've made."

Looking ahead, Noah hopes theatre remains part of his life long after high school. Pacifica helped him discover a passion for performing, and he plans to continue pursuing it while balancing college and a future career.

For now, you'll likely find him on stage—doing what he loves alongside a community that helped him find his voice.