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The Golden Carrot Award School officer give teachers lesson in fitness
By VIKKI CONWELL This week's winner: Lorenzo Combs
Reason nominated: After- school boot camp. Who benefits: Faculty and staff (sometimes parents, students and community residents). Lessons that can be learned: Protecting your health helps keep it safe. When the school bell rings, Lorenzo Combs patrols the halls and campus of Holcomb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta to safeguard students and faculty. But when classes end, the resource officer helps protect the faculty's health by leading them in activities around the gym and field. Combs conducts a free boot camp three days a week to promote physical activity and fitness. The hour-long sessions began last school year and include calisthenics, push-ups, weightlifting, sit-ups, jumping jacks and sprints. "It's a stress reliever for teachers," said Combs of the workouts originally designed to build morale and teamwork. "Their appreciation for what boot camp is doing for them is a huge reward for me." After joining the camp in September, Kelsey Link lost 30 pounds. The first-year math and reading teacher appreciates the convenience and accountability the camp provides. "If you don't go, he'll come into your classroom to get you," joked Link, 23. "He cares about fitness and wants to make sure we all reach our personal goals." English teacher Patti Chunco declined to set a goal when she joined the camp a month ago, but she has gained more stamina and energy and her clothes fit better. Combs is like a personal trainer, she said. "It makes it easier to have someone you know as the trainer," said Chunco, who does not belong to a gym and has not owned a scale in 15 years. "You don't want to disappoint him." A 22-year veteran of police work, Combs works out four to five days a week, watches his portion sizes and eats plenty of fruits and vegetables. He also tries to avoid fried foods and sweets. "We all get together and work out as a group," said Combs, who alternates the workouts to meet various fitness levels. "I'm just the one who does the yelling." To give other people a chance to get fit, Combs also hosted two mini-boot camps where parents, students and community residents paid a minimal fee. The camps raised more than $500 while helping participants feel and look better. Katy Mulder Humphrey, a parent of three children at the school, strengthened her stomach muscles during the camp. The personal time, devotion and pride Combs brings to his job and volunteer activities such as the camps make him a great role model, she said. "He's like every kid's friend," said Humphrey, mother of five. "He's a tough guy, but he's a confidant."
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