Polo Altynski-Ross

Parents: Stephen Ross, Patrycja Altynska

Co-curricular activities: Taught college-level Entrepreneurship to other high schoolers; published a nonfiction book about the Holocaust in WWII; conducting scientific research on health & built environment; varsity player on tennis team.

Community activities: Student Council, National Honor Society, one-off community & fundraising projects

Future plans and goals: We spend ~90% of our lives in buildings. Research shows that they also definitely influence our health and wellbeing. Long term, I hope to engineer technological solutions in the real estate industry that are sustainable, aesthetically-pleasing, cost effective, and are good for the inhabitants, better for the environment, and beneficial for society.

How will your high school experiences help you in the coming years?: The diversity of our school has shown me how to appreciate all cultures and taught me how to collaborate to create solutions, despite sometimes conflicting viewpoints.

Fondest memory of high school: The barbeques my classmates and I have every single June right before we say goodbye to each other for the summer. I can imagine this last one will be even more memorable.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on you and why?: Every single teacher I’ve had since I moved here when I was nine has had an impact on me in a positive way, and it would be a disservice to all of those if I pick just a couple!

Who is your role model and how did they influence you?: My dad. He’s the reason my sister and I are here, and I don’t ever take it for granted.

What is special about your high school?: It’s not just a community; it’s a family; it’s a home.

If you go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself?: Think about the future because your actions now matter, but always remember to live in the present—and make sure to appreciate the people around you while they are there.