Hunter Pollack at home in Parkland. Photo by Sharon Aron Baron.
By Jill Fox
While you hear a great deal about his father, Andrew Pollack, an outspoken safety activist and well-known conservative, much less is written about his son, Hunter.
Although Hunter appears alongside his father in public appearances with Governor DeSantis, Sheriff Gregory Tony, or President Trump, through it all, Hunter has managed to remain grounded while paving his own path to success.
Since losing his younger sister Meadow to a mass shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, his father, along with his wife, has since moved to Oregon, is still an outspoken activist, and has even authored a book.
What about Hunter Pollack? Politics aside, this activist is not letting himself fall off the track to success.
With an interest in politics and law, Hunter has a strong desire to give as much as he can to both the Parkland and Coral Springs communities.
Currently a senior at Florida State University, Hunter is fresh out of completing his final exams and law school entrance exams — or LSATs, while staying at his mother’s Parkland home. Although he may be on winter break, he’s not exactly taking a vacation.
With law school on the horizon as well as the opening of Meadow’s Playground — a project he has been instrumental in seeing through, Hunter hasn’t stopped.
Upon meeting with this strong, composed man, one wouldn’t know he experienced such a huge personal loss two years ago or how it had changed his outlook on life.
“Sometimes things happen, and you have to grow up faster than you want to,” said Hunter, who hasn’t slowed down one bit in terms of education. “Sure, my GPA sacrificed a little, but it’s taught me a lot about discipline and adversity and not giving up when things get tough.”
A 2015 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate, Hunter spent a year taking a class in Palm Beach, went on to community college, and later transferred to Florida State University.
Since the death of Meadow, his interest has shifted from business to a major in criminology, and he has since remained focused on his education.
“Grief is very tough, and people deal with it differently, and I chose to deal with it by staying in school, working out, and keeping busy,” said Hunter, who has taken a full load of classes since the shooting. He will graduate in May with a degree in criminology and a minor in political science.
When he has free time, he spends it working out, walking, and practicing yoga.
“Exercise is a good thing; it helps your brain emotionally.”
He also enjoys being with his girlfriend of two years, who attends the University of Central Florida.
In addition to his education, Hunter has participated in numerous internships. He chose to attend a school in the State Capitol because of the many different opportunities with government agencies — and he doesn’t take it with a grain of salt.
“In college, work experience is very valuable, not just education,” he said.
Hunter worked in the office of Governor Ron DeSantis, who, he said, is doing a great job at uniting both parties. He was the only intern at that time and said it was a great learning experience and taught him an astonishing amount.
In the summer of 2019, he interned in Washington D.C. with Senator Rick Scott, and this year, he is applying for an internship with President Trump at the White House.
For now, Hunter hopes to get accepted to either the University of Miami School of Law or NSU Shepard Broad College of Law, being they are both closer to home, which is important to him.
“Every time I’m not home, I miss home. I truly love Parkland and Coral Springs.”
He said he couldn’t have grown up in a better place.
“Not being here is the only thing that drains me — being away from my family.”
When asked about his ultimate goal in life, Hunter wants to have a family.
“That’s my number one, and my number two is to have a successful career doing something that I love, something that has a positive impact on people’s lives, not just on myself financially.”
As a child who grew up in Northern Broward County, he said he’s passionate about making sure we live in the best place.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in a negative direction, and I want to make sure things get better.”
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