Spring Branch ISD Featured News

For Jonathan Loebl, freshman year at Spring Woods High

School was the pits.

Life at home was even worse. Following his older sister’s example, he dove headfirst into the drug scene, and his family descended into an abyss of arguments until the environment became too confrontational. On Christmas day of sophomore year, after an especially explosive fight, Jonathan went for a walk to blow off steam. During the walk, he received a text from home: “Be out by Monday.”

Jonathan stayed one night at his girlfriend’s house, but he didn’t want to be a burden to her family. After retrieving a backpack of belongings from home, he walked and cried until 2 a.m. His girlfriend’s mother, Kim Harlow, insisted he return to her home – and he’s been there since.

Unfortunately, Jonathan’s downward spiral wasn’t over. He continued using drugs. He became depressed and suicidal. He cut himself. Finally, after a major meltdown, he talked with Kim most of the night. He eventually heard two things from her: “I will not tolerate drugs.” and “You are a member of this family now.”

Through Kim’s guidance, he got more heavily involved with school activities. He was already on the swim team; she signed him up for water polo, too. He already ran five miles every other day to clear his head; he joined the track team to run cross country. Over the summer, he got a job as a lifeguard.

And though Jonathan and his girlfriend broke up, his relationship with her family didn’t. Now, the two are close friends.

The final cut with the past came when Jonathan was out with his old friends and they were involved in a car accident. “I saw a side of them I didn’t want to see. It opened my eyes to their lifestyle. They were getting deeper into the pit I had left.”

Running became a metaphor for the transformation high school was providing him. He learned where he wanted to go; running would get him there.

By senior year, the pit was a distant memory. He stopped swimming and invested all his time in track and cross country. He took AP classes and maintained high grades. And he repaired a lot of relationships.

Jonathan has been accepted into the Entrepreneurial program at Sam Houston State University where he will walk on to the track team and pay for his education with scholarships, grants and loans. Chiropractic school will follow.

“I’m super grateful for the work I put into the last two years,” he says. “My future looks bright. I want to pay it forward, helping whoever needs me.”

He has advice for other students who are struggling to find their footing: “As cheesy as it sounds, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Find someone to talk to. Find a Kim. She was there as my No. 1 cheerleader all along the way. I adore her. She’s one of a kind.”

He’s grateful to others as well.

Coach Zachary Morgan has been a huge influence. “He pushed me to make my goals and dreams a reality. He did everything in his power to help me achieve them.”

His sophomore English teacher, Blaire Zuvich, helped him through the bad days. “I was filled with anger, but in her classroom, I felt at peace. I spent my lunch periods there.”

When he accidentally hurt his back, Jonathan met another mentor, Dr. Kurt Juergens, who has plenty of practical advice for pursuing a chiropractic career.

Jonathan entered Spring Woods High School as a cocky kid trying to fit in. He will leave it as an humble young man who definitely fits in.

It was a struggle, but he knows who he is now. “I’m a nice and kind kid who will help anyone. In the last two years, I’ve put myself out there establishing relationships. I’ve tried to be a leader for my freshman cross country teammates. Now I have to leave them. I’m going to miss this place.”

Graduation will be bittersweet.