Wrapping up the year as Bridgeport High School Student Body President, Mitchell Winkie has had a whirlwind Senior year, balancing academics, athletics, and community service.  As the official leader of the school, he has spearheaded fundraising efforts, coordinated dances and events, and ensured that the school is well represented in the community by volunteering for various charity events. 

 

Winkie is no stranger to this pace.  Throughout his high school career, he has served on the Executive Board of Student Council, held class offices and been awarded numerous awards.  He has lettered in Orchestra, Academics and Football and served as treasurer for the National Honor Society.  Recently, Winkie was awarded the prestigious Wesleyan College Presidential Scholarship and was chosen as the Bridgeport High School Student of the Month. 

 

“This has been an amazing ride,” said Winkie.  “Being elected by my peers and the faculty is such an honor and I have really enjoyed serving the school in so many capacities.  I am excited about the next stage of life, but the memories  of high school will always be close to my heart.”

 

Winkie won the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Scholarship while still in middle school and the opportunity allowed him to enroll in college and receive three credit hours from FSU.  He has represented Bridgeport several times at the Math Field Day Competition and competed at Penn State University as a member of the West Virginia State Math Team. 

 

“International travel has always been a passion of mine,” said Winkie.  He had the opportunity to immerse himself in European culture as he attended the Dwight D. Eisenhower Foundation People to People Program as a Student Ambassador.  “We traveled to Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, where I was able to attend high school to further learn about the culture.” 

 

In 2011, Winkie attended the West Virginia Governor’s School for Math and Science where he helped verify the existence of a new arm of the Milky Way.  “We worked with a scientist in Europe who hypothesized about it’s existence and while we were at the Green Bank Observatory, my team verified the arm.”

 

In addition to his impressive academic profile, Winkie was also part of the championship Bridgeport High School Football team, being named first team Big Ten, first team all county and all state, and selected for the North-South Football game, which showcases the best players in the state.  He has also started a Youth Mentor Program that focuses on providing guidance and fee tutoring to those involved in youth sports.  “I hope to encourage younger children to stay academically strong as well as physically active in sports.”

 

Serving as Master Councilor of the Clarksburg Chapter of DeMolay, Winkie  has served the community through charity telethons, planting trees, working festivals and providing refreshments to travelers.  The organization is dedicated to leadership and high values and provides its members with opportunities to give back to the community through service projects. Winkie is also an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Stonewood, where he regularly plays cello and assists with homebound ministries. 

 

Whether it’s Boys State, the Naval Academy Summer Program, the Civil Air Patrol, or the French Honorary program, Winkie will leave a legacy at Bridgeport High School that will surely inspire others to follow in his footsteps.