Joseph
Heimbold
I am an aspiring engineer who's always tinkering with something. I'm also a troubleshooter, and trying to improve things is a way of life for me; be it innovating new robot designs, practicing my cinematic flight skills, working on my communication as Head of my school's Prefect Council, or perfecting a new recipe in the kitchen. Everything I do represents my identity as an engineer and creator. I dream big, and I won't let anything bring me down.
EDUCATION
Academic Background
CLASS OF 2027 JOHN PAUL THE GREAT ACADEMY
A small, independent, Catholic school that provides a rigorous classical education in rural Louisiana.
2025 THE POTTER SCHOOL
JPG doesn't offer AP courses but I received approval from school administration to substitute a course during my Junior and Senior years with an online self-study through The Potter School, allowing me to take AP STEM course electives that support my goal of becoming an Engineer.
KHAN ACADEMY
Over 100 hours of self study mathematics.
EXPERIENCE
Leadership & Work History
The Drone Institute
Professional Development Intern
Summer 2025 and Summer 2026
Mentored by the CEO and COO, I developed core competencies in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations, geospatial data analysis, and industry applications. The professional development program balanced theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, focusing on technical proficiency, analytical skills, and industry readiness. This included IT, networking, and project-based tasks.
By the end of the program, I demonstrated:
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Technical proficiency in safe, regulation-compliant drone operations.
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Analytical competency through photogrammetry, data processing, and AI model training.
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Industry readiness through exposure to commercial workflows, backups, and diagnostics.
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Professional development in IT, including real-world operational challenges like IT support, network setups, meeting preparations, and documentation.
Additional tasks expanded my exposure to real-world challenges, including IT troubleshooting and administrative duties, preparing me to contribute immediately to a team environment.
Boston College
Lead Teams Supervisor 2025 and 2026
Independent Contractor as Lead Counselor and Student Administrator for an H-STEM camp held at JPG through a grant from Boston College. Each year managed 16 counselors and 23 students, guiding them to build and code an agricultural robot for use in JPG's horticulture program during the following academic year. I reported directly to the Program Director, overseeing logistics, student administration, and teamwork. Developed skills in supervision, instruction, collaboration, problem solving, public speaking, and time/resource management. In 2026 I was asked to return as a senior legacy participant. The new project for 2026 included incorporating an AI system to operate systems autonomously. Not only was I a member of a 4 person team to ensure the successful completion of the project, we also oversaw the maintenance and repairs of previous program builds.
Head of the School Prefect Council
Elected Leadership Position 2026-2027
The Prefect Council is the student governing association of JPG which represents the entire Upper School student body consisting of over 170 students across 6 grades. I lead a team of 10 council members who chair committees overseeing all aspects of student life at our school including fundraising, dances, and pep rallies. As Head Prefect I also act as the direct bridge between the student council and upper school faculty and administration. My goal for this role, beyond executing the standard duties with excellence, is to enact a few additional programs to also increase small, joyful experiences into the school year to further enrich student life, community, and improve attendance. One such activity is the first annual upper school scavenger hunt which will take place in the fall and requires me to create the experience and then gather the appropriate approvals.
Head Boy Stella Maris House
Elected Leadership Position 2025-2026
In charge of coordinating all activities and responsibilities for the Stella Maris House team for the 2025-2026 school year. I lead a team of 43 members across six Upper School grade levels and report directly to the Faculty and Administrative Advisors. I oversaw major school-wide events throughout the year, including community service projects, fundraising initiatives, the Homecoming Parade, and other games and activities.
Paid Math Tutor
2025 - 2026
Paid tutor providing weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions focusing on improving understanding of key concepts, problem solving skills and academic confidence.
EXTRACURRICULARS
Time Well Spent
FIRST® Robotics | Ramageddon Team 4336 | 2024 - Present
+Electrical Team Leader 2026 Season
+Drive Team 2026 Season
+Over 600 hours of hands-on experience including: bespoke industrial sized robot & parts design, CNC machining / 3D printing custom parts, wiring & electric, practice course builds and troubleshooting.
+Coordination with regional, national and international teams in a three team alliance format at the FIRST® Robotics Competitions. This includes scouting other robots and team performances during preliminary rounds to strategically choose our alliance partners.
+Enhanced skills including: leadership, teamwork, workflow, engineering and critical thinking.
Notre Dame IEP | Selective Engineering Program 2026
Awarded a full merit scholarship to attend an immersive two-week residential engineering program as one of 62 participants, where I engaged in lectures and demonstrations led by Notre Dame engineering professors, wrote reports on the morning lectures, worked on hands-on engineering projects, and participated in academic and engineering competitions.
TEXAS A&M SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research) | 2026
Admitted as one of 15 Airplanes track participants in a 60 student program with 400 applicants. Attended college level lectures with Dr. Valasek, director of the Vehicle Systems and Control Lab at TAMU, toured all of the aerospace research laboratories and completed a hands-on glider project under direction of Dr. Valasek.
PURDUE STEP | Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects 2026
Immersive and selective week-long residential camp focused on engineering lectures along with hands-on teamwork and design challenges. Expanded my creativity, communication, design and analytical modeling skills. Won the robotics challenge as a team of 4 competing against 20 other teams.
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge | 2026
Volunteered to be a member of the first-ever team from JPG to compete in this prestigious international math modeling competition organized by SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics) and sponsored by MathWorks. Collaborated in a team of 4 students to develop a mathematical model addressing a real-world open-ended problem under a 14-hour time constraint, applying advanced problem-solving, data analysis, and teamwork skills.
Baylor University ECS Innovate | 2025
College of Engineering & Computer Science week-long residential camp at Baylor University, focused on Biomedical Engineering.
Benedictine College Engineering Immersion Program | 2025
Immersive week-long residential camp focused on electrical engineering skills. Hands-on circuitry work using breadboards.
JPG Cross Country Team | 2025 Season
Approved by school administration to earn my final required PE credit through Cross Country, including both pre-season and in-season training. This arrangement allowed me to pursue a more rigorous STEM elective during my junior year, aligning with my intended college major. During this training, I ran more than 280 miles during practices, competitions, and at home, totaling approximately 105 hours of activity. I qualified for and competed at the ACEL State Cross Country Meet, where our team won the 2025 State Championship for the first time in our school’s history.
JPG Altar Server Society | 2023-2025
Honored to assist as altar server in year-round school Masses serving in all roles as assigned, with reverence.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Awards / Honors / Certificates
ACT SCORE
February 14, 2026
Composite 35
Science 36 Reading 35
English 36 Math 34
Headmaster's List | 4.0 GPA
2021-2026
John Paul the Great Academy does not use a weighted GPA as they do not offer Honors or AP Courses.
Federal Aviation Administration
Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot License
2025
Certification required for operating an unmanned aircraft for any commercial purpose in the United States. It demonstrates that a pilot understands and adheres to FAA regulations for safe commercial drone flights, covering topics like airspace, weather, and emergency procedures. The certificate is obtained by passing a knowledge test at an FAA-authorized testing center and is valid for two years.
College Board National Recognition Program
2025
Outstanding Academic Achievement Sophomore Year PSAT.
First Generation Recognition Award
Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award
School Recognition Award
National Latin Exam
2025 Exam Magna Cum Laude
2023 Summa Cum Laude
2022 Maxima Cum Laude
National Catholic Forensic League
Grand National Tournament Chicago
2025
Selected to, and competed in, this annual national speech and debate competition with my debate partner.
Teurlings HS Speech & Debate Tournament 2024
Southside HS Speech & Debate Tournament 2024
1st Place, Public Forum
3rd Place, Public Forum
Outstanding Leadership Award
2025
H-STEM Camp held at JPG in collaboration with, and through a grant from, Boston College.
John Paul the Great Academy Physics I Award 2023
John Paul the Great Academy Algebra II Award 2025
John Paul the Great Academy Modern World Award 2026
Awarded by the classroom teacher for exhibiting a love of the subject matter, a dedication to learning, and a commitment to seeking the truth, wherever it may be found.
EXTRAS
Hobbies
+ I enjoy a wide range of activities, including computer repair and assembly, building and flying drones, photography, 3D printing and modeling, cooking and baking complex recipes, and hiking.
Tid-Bits
+ I hold dual citizenship with Italy through my grandparents. This allows me to work in the European Union without the need for a visa, should my future career take me overseas.
+ Through my school’s annual pilgrimage program, I’ve worked with Catholic Charities, Louisiana to help build homes and stock emergency supply warehouses, giving me hands-on experience in community service and a deeper understanding of social responsibility.
+ Since my school does not offer honors classes, I received approval from the administration to complete my Junior year Advanced Math course as an accelerated self-study with guidance from the math instructor. I pursued this option to challenge myself, cover more of the textbook material, and better prepare for my intended major after graduation.
WRITING
Before graduating from John Paul the Great Academy, I will complete my Senior Capstone Project. This project will involve working throughout my senior year on a detailed research paper on a topic of my choice, as well as delivering an oral presentation in which I will publicly defend my work before faculty, students, family, and other community members. In preparation for this, I have completed a Mini Capstone project, which included an oral presentation in my Speech and Debate class.