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Leading with enthusiasm, energy and a lot of positivity

Senior sets his sights on nursing career, putting others first

Comstock Park — Warren Cody is bubbly, vivacious, a go-getter who knows how to make an impression. Admitting that people often hear him before they see him, the senior describes his leadership style as “energetic and loud.” 

That characterization includes the classroom, where Warren is very talkative and participates a lot. 

“I try to give out (a lot of) positivity. It’s so easy to be negative,” said Warren, a lifelong resident of Comstock Park. 

That positive approach to life carries through to Warren’s future plans, and how he hopes to help others after high school. 

Warren Cody (first row, third from left) was nominated by his peers as Student Section Lead and uses a megaphone to lead cheers during games

Future in Nursing, Inspired by Mother 

Inspired by his mother, Jackie Cody, who passed away this year from COVID, Warren hopes to be accepted into the Honors College at Michigan State University, where he plans to major in nursing. 

As he grew up, he watched his mother finish up classes and become a nurse and tell stories about her experiences, which sparked his interest in the nursing field at a young age.

“She was able to bring that joy of what she did for that day,” he said. “I really want to follow in her footsteps.

“She was my number one source of motivation and determination in my life,” added Warren, who credits his mother for seeing his potential as well as that of his older siblings, Nathan and Sophie. “Even with her being gone physically, she is still here and living (through) myself and what I am here still doing. I know she is proud about my future plans and my current success.”

He feels certain his leadership experience at Comstock Park High School will help him in his nursing career, including learning how to compromise and come to agreement on issues. In four years he has become more comfortable in making choices. 

“There are going to be countless times in the nursing program where I am going to have to put others before myself,” Warren said. 

Warren Cody, left, with best friends Aliyah Durry and Shawn Foreman at Homecoming 2021

Highly Involved in High School

Warren has served on the Student Council all four years. He helps plan school dances and talks to students during assemblies. He works hard to be a “voice for our student body,” he said – to unify everyone and make sure every student feels included. 

Warren was inducted into the National Honor Society his junior year. As a student volunteer, he performs tasks like helping to set up tables at the annual Comstock Park Craft Show. He also has helped organize clothes drives including giving away used dresses for dances. 

“I try to better our community for people and our school,” Warren said.

‘It’s easy to care about Warren and I love being around him. He’s insightful and honest and that makes me better.’

– Athletic Director Kendra Faustin

Principal Tony Petkus said Warren is responsible and resilient, with a great sense of humor. 

“He is humble and leads by example. His rapport with peers is one of mutual respect based on trust and integrity,” Petkus said. “It is always fun to talk to him about ideas and see them come to fruition with his leadership.”

This year, Warren was nominated by his peers to be Student Section Lead, which gives him a megaphone to lead cheers during games.

Sports has been a big part of his high school experience as a member of the basketball and track teams. He has played basketball since second grade and track and field since sixth. 

Warren and his two lifelong best friends, Shawn Foreman and Aliyah Durry, have formed a kind of team unto themselves. 

“We’ve always been there by each other’s side,” Warren said.

Warren Cody (sixth from left) with his basketball teammates last year

Meeting Personal and School Challenges

In sports, as in other areas, Warren gives of himself for the team, said Athletic Director Kendra Faustin.

“He related to all different types of people and personalities,” Faustin added. “I would imagine his teammates would learn from him and I know they highly respect him.”

In dealing with the death of his mother, Warren said Faustin has been a “huge influence” for him after this tremendous loss. Faustin said she listened and supported him the best she could. 

“It’s easy to care about Warren and I love being around him,” she said. “He’s insightful and honest and that makes me better.” 

With every style of learning including virtual, hybrid and in-person, all four years of high school have been challenging for Warren and his classmates. 

‘There are going to be countless times in the nursing program where I am going to have to put others before myself.’

– senior Warren Cody 

Despite the challenges, he is in the top 4 percent in his class of 120. When he enters college next fall he will have a semester of college credits under his belt already. He’s taken two AP classes in psychology and government and politics, and is currently enrolled in five that include AP statistics, chemistry and language arts as well as interpersonal communications and medical terminology at Grand Rapids Community College. 

He says guidance counselor Gina McCambridge helped him in coming up with the perfect schedule, giving him a head start on college. As Warren put it, “She keeps me on track and makes sure my head is on straight.”

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Karen Gentry
Karen Gentry
Karen Gentry covers Comstock Park. She moved to the Grand Rapids area in the mid-1980s and has been a resident of Comstock Park since 2002. She understands the complexity, rewards and challenges of the teaching profession as she has five years of experience as a high school teacher at River Valley High School in Three Oaks, Mich. and St. Stephen High School in Saginaw. As a reporter for the Advance Newspapers and Mlive she covered Sparta, Kent City and Northview schools. She is happy to be a part of the great team of journalists at School News Network and writing about Comstock Park Public Schools. She is a graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School in St Joseph, Michigan and Central Michigan University. Read Karen's full bio

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