Noga Belson Raz

Dynamic and diligent leader passionate about fostering connections and driving positive change. Familiar at creating meaningful experiences for people through carefully organized events, planned campaigns, and friendly informal interactions. Enthusiastic team player, excited to work closely with others and utilize skills to effectively support and promote the school community in a professional manner.

Gap Year - Mechinat Galil Elyon

Maayan Baruch, Israel • September 2022 - June 2023

During my gap year, I embarked on a transformative journey through the Mechina program in Israel—a 10-month immersive experience designed to foster personal growth, deepen connections to my culture and heritage, and broaden my perspective on society and country. The program encompassed a rich blend of theoretical learning, engagements with external educational campuses, field series, interactions with diverse populations, enlightening lectures, and more. Galil Elyon provided me with a valuable opportunity to step back from the frenetic pace of everyday life and embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. Throughout the year, I engaged in intensive personality-development activities, deepened my understanding of Israel and Judaism, and honed personal abilities that will undoubtedly serve me well in the future.

Volunteer - Schafim

Kibbutz Amir, Israel • September 2022 - June 2023

During my time in Israel, I chose to volunteer at Schafim, a Special-Needs school in the North. My role at Schafim was to provide one-on-one support to the children during program activities, outings, and social interactions. I also had to work collaboratively with program coordinators, other volunteers, and parents to ensure a coordinated and inclusive approach to the child's participation. This position requires compassion and patience, but it provided me with good interpersonal and communication skills.

Club Soccer - Force Academy

San Jose, CA • September 2018 - July 2022

I have been a member of this club soccer team since my freshman year of high school, although I have been competing actively since the age of 8. Presently, my team competed at the ECRL level, which is recognized as one of the highest levels of competition in the country. As an active starter, I am proud to highlight that my team achieved an impressive record, with only one loss over the course of two entire years. Our dedication to excellence was reflected in our rigorous training regimen, consisting of high-intensity practices four times a week, in addition to competing in two games every weekend.

Volunteer Buddy - Friendship Circle

Palo Alto, CA • April 2018 - July 2022

Friendship Circle is a volunteer program that I have been working with since 2018. At this program, we spend time with special needs kids and help them feel more supported & included in everyday activities. As a Volunteer Support Companion, I make a significant difference in the lives of these children by providing support, encouragement, and assistance in various activities. This role requires patience, empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for children with autism.

Social Manager - Homestead High School Leadership

Cupertino, CA • August 2021 - June 2022

I served as the Social Manager for our senior class officer team, where I played a key role in organizing and embellishing various school events, including rallies, dances, fairs, and other gatherings. Additionally, I was responsible for conceptualizing and crafting the merchandise for our grade. Primarily, my tasks revolved around creating posters, videos, and other engaging content for our social media accounts.

Camp Counselor - KLD (Kick, Lead, Dream)

Mountain View, CA • June 2018 - June 2022

This is a volunteering program in which I was a soccer coach for low-income youth. As a coach, I provided a positive and supportive environment for these young athletes to develop their soccer skills, build self-confidence, and foster a love for the sport. Beyond coaching, I also designed drills and games tailored to their skill levels, ensuring a well-rounded developmental experience. I also served as a positive role model and mentor for the athletes, encouraging a supportive and inclusive team culture.

Varsity Soccer - Homestead High School

Cupertino, CA • November 2018 - March 2022

As a four-year varsity player for the HHS girls soccer team, I dedicated myself to the sport, attending practices five times a week, and showcasing my skills on the field. With 2 1/2 years spent as a starter, I contributed consistently to the team's performance. During my time on the team, I was honored to receive the prestigious Honors Athlete award annually. Our commitment to excellence was evident as we achieved a commendable third-place finish in the league standings and advanced to the semifinals of the CCS tournament.

Founder & Executive Director - Boots4Africa (Charity)

Bay Area, CA • August 2020 - March 2021

I founded an organization named "Boots4Africa CA" with the aim of gathering hundreds of soccer cleats for donation to an orphanage located in Africa. Through my efforts, I garnered attention from soccer companies based in England and Los Angeles, which generously contributed to our cause by donating cleats. In addition to these contributions, we also received an outpouring of support from local community soccer players and families who donated cleats. Furthermore, I took charge of managing all social media platforms, coordinating the collection and distribution of cleats, as well as handling the shipping logistics. Within a mere span of five months, our initiative successfully collected over 300 cleats, which were promptly dispatched to Africa to benefit those in need.