By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – As a seventh grader Chris Noble noticed, the flags at Ring Lardner Middle School were aged.
As an eighth grader, he set out to do something about it. Noble collected enough money in cans to purchase for the Ring Lardner cafeteria a new American flag and State of Michigan flag.
"It took probably about a good year, but it worked," Noble said.
The cans used were any the Noble family purchased. It was only right, Ivana Noble, Chris' mom, said to use those cans in a way that benefited others.
Noble raised a total of $175, and used about $100 to purchase the flags, which will hang above the stage in the Ring Lardner cafeteria.
"All of us at Ring Lardner appreciate Chris's donation of new flags for our building," said Douglas Langmeyer, principal of Ring Lardner.
"What's most impressive about Chris is that he puts into action what he believes and stands for. His willingness to give back demonstrates the kind of character we would like to see in all of our students."
And what about the money remaining after buying the flags?
"I think I might donate it to St. Mary's food pantry," Noble said
Noble for two years has been a member of the Ring Lardner National Junior Honor Society. He also balances his schoolwork with competing in national golf tournaments.
Noble won his third championship in three years at the Century State Championship July 20 to 21, 2006, at Pine View Golf Course in Three Rivers.
He also placed first in the 12-13 year-old age division in October 2006 at the Plantations Junior Golf Tour (PJGT) stops at Stonehenge Golf Club in Warsaw, Ind. and Mystic Hills in Culver, Ind.
His first place finish at Blackthorn Golf Club in May 2006 in the Nike All Star Junior Golf Tour earned Noble a spot competing in the PJGT at the Disney's Palm and Magnolia courses.