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Schools

Generations of Graduates: Gabrielle Polakoff

This week's alum is a recent graduate and cheerleader of Agoura High.

Name: Gabrielle Polakoff

Age: 18

Current Occupation: Student

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Graduation Year: 2010

College: Moorpark for a year, then University of Alabama ('14)

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Favorite Teacher: Todd Shipley

On-Campus Hangout: In front of the library.

Off-Campus Lunch Spot: Tomato Patch and Chipotle

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Agoura Hills Patch: How do you feel about Agoura High School? Did you have a good or bad experience?

Gabrielle Polakoff: Overall I felt like I had a good experience at AHS. Never once did I not want to go to school, and it felt like a home.

Patch: Tell us about your favorite teacher. Does this correlate with your most memorable course at Agoura High?

Polakoff: Goodness no! English has always been my worst subject, but Mr. Shipley was one of those genuinely good teachers who taught you more life lessons in the classroom. I was going through a rough time this past year, and he was understanding and caring the entire semester.

Patch: Do you have a favorite year in high school?

Polakoff: Oh man. It's a toss-up between freshman and senior year. Freshman year, everything was new, exciting, and a learning experience. Senior year came with being held responsible for my future and figuring out what I wanted to do, as well as many unforgettable memories.

Patch: What was your most memorable experience?

Polakoff: I just remember being on the track, screaming my heart out and then like jumping up and down when "the play" happened and we beat Westlake High School in football during my junior year.

Patch: What are some of your accomplishments outside of school?

Polakoff: Well, I was also involved with the B'nai B'rith Girls for four and a half years. Throughout my BBG career, I ascended to various chapter board positions, including membership vice president, and eventually chapter president. While I was president, my chapter applied for and received the single highest honor a chapter can receive on an international scale.

Patch: What activities did you partake in at Agoura High?

Polakoff: I cheered. That pretty much took up all my time, but it was my life and I loved it.

Patch: If you could go back and change anything, what would it be?

Polakoff: I would probably try harder in the actual academic portion of school.  I was .5 away in my GPA from getting a large scholarship to the University of Alabama and because of that .5 I wasn't able to attend this year.

Patch: Do you have a message to any current students or alumni?

Polakoff: Honestly, the best thing anyone can do in a town like Agoura is get out of the bubble and open their eyes to new experiences, people, and ideas.

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