AUBURN — The gym at Edward Little High School on Wednesday was full of students and a few teachers working out after school.

As in hard-core, high-energy workout.

Led by sophomore Jake Bazinet, 15, they watched an “Insanity Workout” DVD on a big screen, doing moves that made aerobics look like child’s play, accompanied by loud, catchy music.

They ran in place. They broke into jumping jacks. They did butt kicks, high kicks, side-to-side jumps, then jumping jacks again.

“I tell them to do this at their own pace,” Bazinet said. Some take breaks; others keep going.

Welcome to an after-school program that Bazinet started on his own, to help others get fit and raise money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Bazinet said his own story inspired him to start the group workout.

“When I was in elementary school, I was a big kid — short, stubby, kids made fun of me,” he said. His doctor warned he had to change.

“He said, ‘Jake, you’re going to be obese and have high blood pressure and health problems. Life is going to be rough for you.’ I remember thinking, ‘I’ve got to change. I need something to motivate me.’”

One day he started to run. He only ran a quarter-mile before he was out of breath. He kept at it. His parents, especially his father, encouraged him, Bazinet said. He grew stronger, lost weight, and started feeling better physically and emotionally.

“Now in the summer I run 17.5 miles in one shot,” he said. “I had that motivation. I started Insanity Workout to give someone else the motivation I had in the sixth grade. I want to see them change and feel better about themselves.”

He approached Assistant Principal Steve Galway to propose the program. After gaining permission, Bazinet circulated handouts encouraging participation from anyone who’d listen. He stood outside school and talked it up.

On the day of sign-ups, “We had a huge line of people. I couldn’t believe it,” Bazinet said. He suggested a $20 donation fee to benefit the Dempsey center. “We’ve raised $2,000,” he said.

The program began Feb. 25 and will continue through May. Every day after school, Bazinet goes to the gym to set up the projector, the huge screen and speakers. His friends have solicited donations of bottled water.

Most days about 50 show up. Most are students; a few, teachers.

“It’s doing a lot for people” Bazinet said. “The group is diverse. There’s no cliques. There’s no conflict. Everyone gets along. It’s a lot of fun.”

Students Taylor Landry, Avery Laliberte and Erica Hazelton are athletes staying in shape for their spring sport. Others haven’t been physically active. “It makes me so happy to see them try and not give up,” Bazinet said.

Kendra LaBonte said her friends dragged her into the program. “I realized I needed to do something.”

She used to play sports but hasn’t been physically active in high school and has started a job. The group exercise is great, she said. “It gives some kids the opportunity. Some kids don’t have the motivation. Jake’s good at motivating people.”

After working out each day she has more energy to do what she needs to do, LaBonte said. “It gets you moving. You don’t want to sit down. I get a good night’s sleep.”

Working out with students were school resource officer Shawn Carll and English teacher Candy Gleason.

“I’ve been out of shape the last few years,” said Gleason, 58. “It seemed it was insurmountable, that I’d never be able to get back.”

Bazinet helped convince her she could. “I was nervous that I was too old, too fat,” she said. “He said, ‘You can definitely do it! Do as much as you can.’”

Gleason said she was “blown away” by how the sophomore helped her, a veteran teacher of 36 years. “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t given me that message.”

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