Alex Winter

Peninsula High School senior hopes to combine his passions of sports and business for his future career

Alex Winter is a distinguished leader both in the classroom and in athletics. He hopes to combine his two passions — business and sports — and pursue a career in sports marketing.

While Winter hasn’t selected a college yet, he has his sights set on a top-level school and may pursue a master’s degree after finishing a four-year college. He hopes to work for an athletic company or a sports team.

Winter played basketball during all four years of high school and has been a team captain since 2007. He said he is very competitive and likes “the feeling of going out there and doing your best, and hopefully winning.”

Winter helped lead the Seahawks basketball team to the Class 3A state tournament last year. It was Peninsula’s first time at state in 14 years.

Winter said playing in the tournament was one of the highlights of his high school career.

“He is ... a leader on the court with his ability and work ethic, being voted by his peers to wear the ‘Seahawk Spirit’ jersey, which denotes his commitment to the team and his willingness to lead by example,” PHS English teacher Lynda Richards said.

Winter also has excelled as a member of the school’s student marketing organization, DECA. He said he took an interest in business after he placed first at an area competition when he was a junior.

“I thought, why not combine sports and business and make it a career?” he said.

Winter said his highest achievement is keeping up good grades. With a 3.986 grade-point average, he is ranked No. 3 in his class.

“He has chosen some of the most rigorous courses offered at Peninsula High School and excelled,” PHS Assistant Principal Dave Goodwin said. “Alex’s work ethic and attention to detail have made him a winner.”

Winter said getting good grades required him to listen in class and work hard.

“In high school, I realized quickly I had to work harder, and I continued my good work habits,” he said.

Winter is well-respected by his peers, teachers and coaches for his achievements, his people skills and his dedication to a variety of responsibilities.

“Alex has many qualities that set him apart and make him deserving of recognition,” Goodwin said.

Winter is dedicated outside of school as well. He has held a job for a catering company and served at some events which had more than 400 people in attendance.

“He does this with grace and finesse,” Richards said. “He has a winning smile, and people are happy and pleased to be around him.”

Alex Winter

Education: Senior, Peninsula High School

GPA: 3.986

Parents: Tim and Kristin Winter

Activities/achievements: DECA Area 7 competition first place in 2008 and ’09, vice president, Area 7 second and third place written test; Business Week CEO; student store worker; six AP/honors classes; varsity basketball captain; volunteer at Winterfest, basketball camp and others; AP Scholar; Olympic League Scholar Athlete, WIAA Scholar Athlete.

Favorite teacher: Mr. Selfors, “because he taught me a lot about business and got me interested in the field,” Winter said.

Best thing about high school: “The variety of people and how accepting we all are of each other.”