Before arriving on campus from Clifton, New Jersey, Polanco made headlines when he organized his class’ outreach to University of Virginia students after the deadly Charlottesville rally. Soon after, the first-generation student was named Youth of the Year. In addition to $145,000 in scholarships, a car and a family trip to Disney World, Polanco received the thrill of delivering a ceremonial ball for the opening game of the World Series, where he met Michael Jordan, Lady Gaga and Jackie Robinson’s widow, Rachel. He says his club experience and his parents have made him believe he has “unlimited potential.”