Desmond Lorenz

Role Model: His Bass Teacher

For years, Desmond Lorenz has taken music lessons with his bass teacher, Rob. Over time, Rob has become a role model to Lorenz. Lorenz lives by Rob’s quote, “Practice slow to go fast.” Although the quote seems like it only relates to music, Lorenz applies the saying to many facets of his life.

“It’s cool to have somebody that can teach you a lot and kind of show you the path that you want to take in something that you’re interested in,” Lorenz said.

Lorenz feels that his music teacher is a source of knowledge and inspiration and he’s glad to call him a role model.

Brian Williams

Role Model: His Dad

Brian Williams and his father both share a love for music. One of the reasons Williams is a counselor at Community is so that he can still play music over the weekends and during the summer. It gives Williams a connection to his father, after a rocky relationship during his father’s life.

“I didn’t see him a whole lot growing up,” Williams said. “He had a lot of issues. He was a high-functioning alcoholic.”

Though his father isn’t what people might think of as a traditional role model, Williams still found ways to look up to him.

“He struggled through life but always tried to make things better with me and my brothers,” Williams said.

Williams’ father passed away from a stroke at the age of 53, but Williams still carries these lessons of perseverance with him through life.

Anna Chomistek

Role Model: Her Favorite Surfer

Anna Chomistek was in second grade when she first watched “Soul Surfer,” a movie based on a true story about Bethany Hamilton, who as a teen, was attacked by a shark while surfing and lost an arm.

Ever since then, Bethany Hamilton has been a constant role model for Chomistek. Even though Chomistek is not a surfer, she relates Hamiltonâ’s actions to her daily life.

“For a long time, I was the shortest person,” Chomistek said. “[Hamilton] had a disadvantage, but she kept going. So that’s what I feel I have in common with her.”

The way Hamilton pushed through after her injury continues to inspire Chomistek. It reminds her to never stop working hard in the sports she plays and in her day to day life.

Lee Greenberg

Role Model: Her Brother

Lee Greenberg, a sophomore, and her older brother, Noah, tell their best jokes after dinner. Most of Lee’s favorite memories of her brother involve the conversations they have after the meal. Their shared sense of humor is one reason Greenberg thinks of her brother as a role model.

Another reason is Noah Greenberg’s ability to talk through problems and change his sister’s mind set.

“I don’t even know what we were joking about, but he took something I was nervous about, and turned it into something that we were joking and laughing really hard about,” Greenberg said. “He just understands how to talk to people in a way that I really hope I can be like in the future.”

Andrea Adams

Role Model: Her Grandmother

Andrea Adams, the newest addition to our science department, has looked up to her grandmother since she was a kid. It all started when her grandmother would take her and her cousins on “mystery trips” to places around Detroit: the dog pound, the flea market, the Symphony Orchestra. Adams, wanting to follow in her footsteps, was inspired to become a teacher by her grandmother.

“She’s a force of nature, she lives life how she wants to and she’s amazing,” Adams said. “She’s got a great network of people, and has always done what she wanted to do. She’s traveled the world, and she’s an amazing matriarch for our family.”

Adams and her grandmother still have a close relationship to this day.

“She’s 92 and still around,” Adams said. “I’m going to go and play cards with her on Friday.”

Carter Lee

Role Model: His Parents

Carter Lee, a sophomore, has traveled to three national parks with his role models: his parents. His favorite memories of them involve going out west and seeing the sights of Yellowstone, Mount Teton and Glacier National Park. Trips like those improve Lee’s mood and outlook on life, especially with the help of his parents.

“They pick me up when I’m down,” Lee said. “They help me out when I need help.”

One piece of advice his parents gave him is to give himself a compliment any time he’s feeling down. This recommendation has stuck with Lee: he tries to use it in his everyday life.