Schools

Whiz Kid: Garrett Winters

Writer, Eagle Scout leader and community volunteer

Name: Garrett Winters

Age: 18

School: Santa Rosa Junior College

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Key to Awesomeness: Garrett has Asperger’s syndrome and autism, but has never let his disabilities slow him down. He became an Eagle Scout when he was 16 and then went on to earn his Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms, which all had to be done by the time he was 18.

“Many times we were told he could have extra time because he has disabilities, but he always said ‘no,’” says his mom, Mary Winters. “Other parents have commented to me he truly earned his Eagle.”

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This July, Garrett participated in the Youth Leadership Forum, a program for youth with disabilities. The Petaluma teen joined students from all over the state in Sacramento, where a portion of the trip included learning about how to lobby for legislation.

Today, Garrett still attends scouts with Troop 2 and soon will be teaching the reading merit badge to the younger scouts. This spring break, he spent a week in Mexico helping build a house for a family through and spent eight days in New Orleans helping rebuild a house through the Saint Bernard Project during the summer. 

The hardworking and focused teen volunteers once a week at the Petaluma Library because “books are his true passion and he wants to be an author,” says Mary Winters. He is currently writing two books, is a Brown Belt in Taekwondo and is hoping to transfer to UC Berkeley in a couple of years.

Way to go, Garrett!

Know another awesome kid in our community? Tell us about them by emailing karina@patch.com


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here