Aaron Polkey, (AMHS ’98) and native Charlestonian spoke at the AMHS 2014 graduation. Aaron is currently a Washington, DC-based public interest attorney. He is remembered fondly by teachers still at the Magnet, Mrs. Lankford, Ms Hurt, Mr. Johnston and Mr. Eicher. Aaron was the student body president his senior year and was known for his outgoing personality and hilarious sense of humor.  His humor was made evident in his speech as he inspired the seniors while making them laugh.  According to one parent, “he was the best graduation speaker I’ve ever heard.”

Aaron attended undergrad at Georgetown University, double majoring in government and history. After receiving his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Aaron practiced civil rights and community development law at a firm in Charleston. In 2000, Aaron took a leave of absence from college to work full time on the Gore presidential campaign in Nashville. He returned home to South Carolina and became the President of South Carolina Young Democrats, and a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. After the Democratic debates held in Charleston, Aaron was the escort for the then Senator Barack Obama at a welcoming party at the International Longshoremen’s Hall.  In 2008, Aaron moved to Washington to work with a voter protection non-profit. He now serves as an Attorney Advisor with the D.C. Office of Tenant Advocates, where he addresses the vital housing needs of people from all works of life.