Meet Jonathan Winfiele

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By Joan Frances

Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) has the highest caliber of education. Through research and communication, this district is at the cutting edge of effective student learning through an innovative curriculum. Jonathan Winfiele is a senior and a perfect example of the success of these programs. For the past three years, Jonathan has engaged in the Engineering Academy at Lawrence E. Elkins High School and is headed for a successful future.

Jonathan moved from Dallas and has been a part of FBISD for 13 years. His educational success has been a challenge. When Jonathan was in first grade, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, and his parents sent him to a reading specialist. Through a positive attitude, many hours of reading practice and never giving up, Jonathan learned techniques to overcome this roadblock. He never used dyslexia as a crutch, and some of his friends still do not know about his challenges. Jonathan said, “I used this to push myself and never made excuses for my reading disability.” As a senior, he has overcome all obstacles and continues to improve his academic triumph.

Elkins High School has many remarkable teachers. The one instructor who has made a prevalent impact on Jonathan is his French teacher of three years, Madame Henderson. Jonathan said, “She has the ability to incorporate the language with the student requirements and involves them in situations where they actually use French in conversation. I enjoyed learning this language because of Madame Henderson.”

Jonathan has been a part of the Engineering Academy for four years. Each year focuses on different engineering fields and disciplines such as mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical, aerospace, computer designs and problem solving systems. But the one field Jonathan enjoys the most is architecture and design. This year, he is involved in an internship at an architecture and landscape company. When asked what value is important to him, Jonathan replied, “Believe in yourself, and anything is possible.”

Jonathan is also involved in robotics at school. He was project manager as a sophomore and president as a junior and senior. The team qualified to present at the state competition of 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. Jonathan’s time is also occupied as president of the Technology Student Association. He was secretary as a sophomore and junior. Jonathan’s individual and team projects went to regional and state competition and won awards all three years including Best in State for robotics, photography and architectural design models.

Jonathan represented Elkins as a state delegate at the national convention in Washington D.C. He was also nominated and accepted in the FBISD Leadership 101 Program established by the board of trustees. This program explores personal roles in the community, including school leadership and volunteer service. He earned the Eagle Scout award in January and is a representative of the Order of the Arrow, a Boy Scouts of America Honor fraternity. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Social Studies Honor Society and the National English Society.

Elkins High School is home to approximately 458 seniors. Jonathan ranks in the top 10 percent in his class with all AP classes. When he graduates in May, Jonathan aspires to attend Rice University, the University of Tennessee or Texas A&M and major in architecture and design studies. He was awarded a scholarship by the Feinstein Foundation and nominated for the Posse Scholarship.

With the support of his family and teachers, Jonathan’s hard work will grant him many years of success. Congratulations Jonathan on your ambition, motivation and never giving up.