From the Streets to Service: The Journey from Youngstown to the United States Army
When Noah Rolette stands in his Army uniform—calm, composed, and resolute—it is difficult to imagine the life he once lived in Youngstown. His journey from hardship to honorable service did not happen overnight, nor did it happen alone. It took a network of mentors, faith, and hard choices to bring him to where he is today.
“The biggest thing I took from losing my dad was learning how to be independent and how to figure things out,” Noah said. “I was just trying to survive.”
When Noah was 11 years old, his father was killed in an act of violence, forcing him to grow up quickly. With his mother facing her own challenges, Noah often felt he had to navigate the world alone.
For a time, the pull of the streets was strong, but at the Academy for Urban Scholars (AUS) High School, Noah found a community that refused to give up on him.
“There was a tug of war for Noah’s life between the streets and AUS,” recalled career coach Mr. Rheins. “A tug of war can be relentless, but we never let go.”
That consistency helped Noah envision a different future. Eventually, he made the decision to chart his own course.
Sgt. D, an Army recruiter who partners with AUS, credits the perseverance that Noah and those like him have defines the school’s impact.
“Urban Scholars holds onto students a little longer,” she said. “They do not set limits unless a student completely stops showing up, and even then, they make house visits or reach out through partners like us. They just do not let go.”
Before Noah left for basic training, he got married.
Today, Noah serves as a 91F Small Arms and Artillery Repairer, maintaining the weapons systems soldiers depend on. “People have died wearing this uniform,” Noah said. “People fight for our rights in this uniform, and there is meaning behind it.”
In a few months, Noah will return to Youngstown, this time to inspire others. He hopes to speak with students at AUS and encourage them to pursue a new direction in life.
“I am doing this for people in the same situation I was in,” he said. “They feel stuck, but they are not. They just do not know which steps to take.”
This Veterans Day, AUS honors Noah and other alumni who have chosen to serve, including Daveon, another graduate who turned personal loss into purpose.
When Daveon’s grandfather, the man he lived with, passed away, his world fell apart. After taking time away from school, he found his footing again at AUS, drawn by the flexibility and structure it offered. Quiet and career-focused, he had already set his sights on the Army before enrolling. Working closely with recruiters and staff, he completed his studies and enlisted soon after graduation.
For Noah, Daveon, and other AUS alumni who have chosen the path of service, their stories reflect what is possible when a community believes in its young people. Change, they prove, takes courage, consistency, and the willingness to rebuild one decision at a time.