Combs High School, the J.O. Combs Unified School District and the greater Combs community experienced another devastating tragedy on Nov. 28 with the loss of Jamiere Jenkins.
In times of tragedy, it is crucial to remember and honor the two outstanding young men, Jamiere Jenkins and Preston Lord, whose lives were tragically cut short. By celebrating the positive impact they had on their school, teams and classmates, we are able to continue to keep their bright lights alive. At the same time, we can also honor them by celebrating the innumerable other positive differences being made by students throughout our district and community.
Over the past year, our students consistently modeled and demonstrated what’s “right” in our community. The Combs High School Basketball Team, for instance, gave up a Saturday morning and afternoon to participate in a service program that provided food to children in war-torn Ukraine. Working in collaboration with the organization "Feed My Starving Children," they assembled over 600 boxes of food, demonstrating compassion and selflessness.
Furthermore, Combs High School Student Council has achieved recognition for the second consecutive year, earning the prestigious title of a 2023 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council. Their commitment to leadership, service and community improvement has been exceptional. Notably, they presented 50 blankets, each accompanied by handwritten letters of encouragement from the Blankets of Hope, to the Hope Women's Center, among many other community projects.
The Combs High School Coyotes Cares program has been instrumental in raising over $4,000 to support individuals and organizations in San Tan Valley. Additionally, various teams and clubs have organized individual fundraisers to aid different causes throughout our community.
The Combs High School Drama Department, in collaboration with the Maria Gloria Foundation, organized a toy drive and parade of trees. They also partnered with the local non-profit Maines and Miracles to create a trick-or-treat festival, complete with a student-run haunted house.
The district-wide annual toy and holiday food drive, supported by students and families from each of our eight schools, ensured that over 100 families could experience a special holiday. Furthermore, our schools hosted annual Veterans Day Recognition assemblies offering students the opportunity to celebrate their parents, grandparents and community members who have served in the military.
These examples epitomize just some of the ways that the radiant spirit of Jamiere and Preston continues to shine through the incredible students in our district. They carry forward a tradition of putting the community first, highlighting the goodness within others and nurturing hope for a brighter future. As we collectively navigate the grief from these indescribable tragedies, it is essential to remember that these young men would want us to find positivity in life, celebrate their friends and classmates, and unite as a community to exemplify the positive change we all desire for our community.
Dr. Gregory A. Wyman is superintendent of the J.O. Combs Unified School District.
