Jonah Winkler

During COVID-19, my family’s small hotel, restaurant, spa, and event center faced an immediate shutdown. The police and mayor arrived, ordering us to close most operations, with the added threat of converting hotel rooms into a hospital if necessary. My family had to make the hard decision to completely shut down because no one wanted to stay at the hotel and the restaurant couldn’t survive on serving take-out alone. My siblings and I helped our parents close, using a forklift to block entrances with large rocks, discarding perishable food, and storing what we could. I watched my parents lay off most of the staff temporarily and taught them how to apply for unemployment.

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While the business was closed, we homeschooled and made the best of it. Weak internet access made completing assignments difficult, so my siblings and I had to ration bandwidth and take turns working online. Many of my teachers struggled to adapt, leaving us to teach ourselves. Despite these challenges, I managed to maintain good grades.

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In summer 2020, reopening was a major task. When my parents first opened it years before, it was done in phases. This time, it had to be done at once. Hiring was tough, and the property was overgrown from months of neglect. We worked alongside our parents to clean, train staff, and test new restaurant recipes. Some didn’t turn out well, but we made it work. The police and mayor returned, ensuring we followed strict mask protocols for all staff and guests.

To attend a 4-year undergraduate university and major in Engineering or Business. My goal is to become an Engineer while contributing to community projects through volunteer work. I aim to continue my hard work and high academic achievement throughout my college career.

Academics

• Senior Class Treasurer, 08/2024 - 05/2025
• NHS Member, 08/2023 - 05/2025
• Peers for Positive Change Officer, 08/2024 - 05/2025
• High School Academic Excellence Award, 2021 - 2025

Athletics

• Freshman of the Year for Swimming, 2021
• Swimming MVP, 2022
• Most Versatile Swimmer, 2023
• Swimming Regional Qualifier, 2021 - 2024
• Track & Field District Champion Team, 2022 - 2024
• Track & Field Area Qualifier, 2022
• Water Polo MVP, 2022

 Outside of School

• Camper of the Week, 2015
• Counselor of the Week, 2024

• Help Install Electronics: Set up WiFi antennas, speakers for surround sound, fixed computers, and mounted TVs
• Fix Repairs: Unclogged pipes and replaced cabinets
• Build Furniture
• Deep Cleaning: Performed weekly
• Dish Washing
• Cooking
• Yard Work: Lawn mowing and weed eating
• Pickup Supplies and Groceries: Performed every 2 weeks
• Support and Transportation: Drive my little sister to and from school and activities
• Puppy Training
• Holiday Decorating: Set up Christmas lights and trees, decorated for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter
• Moved Houses: Drove equipment and items to and from the storage unit while moving to the new house
• Organized a Garage Sale: Helped with downsizing after moving

First Baptist Church Castroville

1 hour per week (52 weeks/year)
2018 – 2025

• Regular attendee and volunteer for holiday and special events
• Hosted a Winter Festival with stations for ALE students
• Supported families in need within the community

Children of the Republic of Texas

1 hour per week (52 weeks/year)
2014 – 2025

• Charter member in Castroville
• Participated in various community projects
• Planted trees in parks
• Illustrated for a published Texas children’s book
• Volunteered during Founder’s Day events

Peers of Positive Change

1 hour per week (8 weeks/year)
2024 – 2025

• Organized a community service project
• Attended weekly meetings
• Helped tutor high school students in Algebra and Reading
• Counseled and mentored high school students

Swim Meets

5 hours per week (15 weeks/year)
2019 – 2025

• Volunteered as a timer and counter at high school and club swim meets
• Picked up trash and cleaned after swim meets and practices

Track & Cross Country Meets

5 hours per week (5 weeks/year)
2020 – 2022

• Volunteered as a timer at high school meets
• Picked up trash and cleaned after running events and practices

Castroville Otters Swim Team

2 hours per week (16 weeks/year)
2018 – 2020

• Assisted with event organization
• Provided swim technique advice to athletes
• Decorated and participated in Fourth of July parades

Hermann Sons Life Camp

60 hours per week (2 weeks/year)
2022 – 2024

• Served as Counselor and Counselor-In-Training
• Assisted with camp activities and supported homesick campers

Special Olympics Volunteer

7 hours per week (1 week/year)

2024 - 2025

• Assisted with timing, social media, and mentoring student-athletes

Hosted Community Sporting Events

7 hours per week (2 weeks/year)

2023 – 2024

• Organized Pickleball and Spikeball events for local high school students

St. Louis Day Volunteer

6 hours per week (1 week/year)
2024 - 2025

• Worked in an assembly line and managed beverage sales during the community event

Medina Valley Athletics (2021 - 2025)

18 hours per week (36 weeks/year) 

• Cross Country Varsity Team: 2021
• Swimming Varsity Team: 2021 – 2025
• Track & Field Varsity Team: 2022
• Water Polo Varsity Team (School discontinued after 2022): 2022

USA Swimming (2018 - 2025)

10 hours per week (40 weeks/year)

• Alamo Area Aquatics Association at 3 locations
• Charter Member of the Medina Valley Swim Club
• Demonstrated swim strokes to younger groups
• Mentored and advised younger swimmers
• Club Swim Meet Participant
• Invitation/Qualification Meet Participant

Hermann Sons Life Camp (2022 – 2025)

60 hours per week (4 weeks/year)

• Volunteered as a Counselor-In-Training
• Employed as a Counselor

Student Council (2023 – 2025)

7 hours per week (36 weeks/year)

• Attend meetings monthly
• Speak and perform skits at pep rallies
• Performed in a dress-code fashion show
• Film and edit informative videos for students
• Organize events, represent the council, and recruit new members
• Lead the student section at football games

National Honor Society (2023 – 2025)

4 hours per week (10 weeks/year)

• Attended monthly meetings
• Worked on service projects and fundraisers
• Have to obtain 40+ service hours throughout the year

Medina Valley CyberPatriot (2021)

15 hours per week (6 weeks/year)

• Attended practices
• Participated in team events and competitions
• Competed in Windows 10 image challenges

First Baptist Church Castroville (2018 – 2025)

1 hour per week (52 weeks/year)

• Attend church and youth services regularly
• Volunteer for church activities, holiday events, and special services