Peabody High Track Coach Braz Praised for Going the Distance

Live above the influence.

That's basically Sandi Drover's motto now as the outreach coordinator for the Healthy Peabody Collaborative, an organization committed to discouraging Peabody teens from using drugs or alcohol or even bullying each other -- all unhealthy choices.

For the annual career day last school year at , Drover collected responses from more than 400 students, who answered the question of who helps them to live above the influence by being a positive role model.

Drover noted many students answered with their family members, but several singled out one adult at PVMHS: track coach Fernando Braz. 

She said the youth chose Braz because, to them, being on the 112-member boys' track team is more important than engaging in substance abuse. Braz is also an alternative education in-house suspension teacher for grades 9-12.

And for that, he is being doubly recognized as being a positive influence on students. Braz received a Champions for Youth Award from the Healthy Peabody Collaborative this past summer and is now being interviewed for a video segment on The Anti-Drug.com.

For Drover, she has gotten to know Braz through her own children on the track team. Her son, Tommy, made the top 20 during a race and Braz congratulated him for the feat, making him feel like a superstar. Her oldest daughter, Mary, won a Peabody Track Foundation scholarship, and her youngest, Amy, participates in Braz' Going the Distance strength and conditioning summer camp.

"He leads by example," Drover told Peabody Patch. "He's a positive role model in the way he conducts himself, the way he coaches and how he gives back to the community. It's very visible."

Braz said receiving the Champions of Youth award for his work in Peabody is quite the honor.

"It was a complete surprise to myself," Braz said. "There are so many people in this city who make an impact on kids."

For Braz, it was recognition that he and the other winners are heading in the right direction and solidifies their hard work. He added that he has tremendous respect for Healthy Peabody and the positive messages it sends out. He, in turn, wishes he could honor the coalition.

As for the anti-drug aspect, he discusses the chemical policy during the mandatory fall and winter sports parent-athlete meeting, and on a regular basis.

Throughout the academic year, Braz teaches his athletes to: "do the right thing, stay healthy, and make the right decisions."

"We let them know they're accountable if they want to stay here," Braz told Peabody Patch. "It's not so much preaching -- but dialogue -- to keep that level of respect."

Braz earned a degree in special education with a concentration in behavior modification from Boston College.

You demonstrate the power of one individual to help, to heal, to support, to challenge, and to change, for the better, the life of a young person," wrote Drover in a letter to Braz this past June notifying him of the local award.

The other Champion of Youth recipients were:

• John Champi, English teacher and football coach at PVMHS.
• Larry Leavitt, physical education teacher at PVMHS.
• Mark Metropolis, electronics teacher at PMVHS.
• Richard Gill, math teacher and class advisor at PVMHS.
• Karen Braz, Braz's sister-in-law and paraprofessional at PVMHS.
• Patty Gaffney, physical education teacher at PVMHS.
• Raina Silida, teacher at Peabody Learning Academy and a roller derby competitor.
• Officer Manny Costa, school resource officer, Peabody Police Department, and wrestling coach at Saint John's Prep in Danvers.
• Damon Weinberg – community member.

Braz commented on some of the other winners.

"I work closely with Larry Leavitt in the classroom," Braz said. "He never says no to kids. He also owns a karate business downtown. He's involved in the community." He added Leavitt is energetic, along with Gaffney.

As for the rest of the winners, Braz believes PVMHS staff is fortunate to have them behind the scenes and their work is appreciated by the Healthy Peabody Collaborative and in general. He congratulates them all.

“Through the Champion for Youth award, the Healthy Peabody Collaborative has been able to broaden the youth-centered campaign to encompass the community at large," said Sara Grinnell, executive director of the Healthy Peabody Collaborative, "The first phase of the campaign was to identify 'influences' in the lives of teens, but this next phase takes a look at the 'influencers' who promote healthy behaviors.” 

Braz is one of those influencers.