Hey Kelownians,

To kick of this week we’ve got another exclusive Grad interview and it’s with Mitch Pollock. Check it out below!

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WILL YOU BE ATTENDING THE REUNION? IF NOT, WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?
Can’t make the reunion as I’m doing a gulf islands camping trip. Will send Dave Cunning in my stead. Consider yourself committed to show up now Dave. (he really has no excuse)

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING AND WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THESE DAYS?
I’ve been living for 6 years in the west end in downtown Vancouver. Moved here after graduating from UVic with my BFA in theatre and have been a professional/struggling actor/musician ever since.

Took a couple lengthy backpacking adventures through Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore which I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Right now I’m busy saving money for a second trip back to school, this time I’m going to BCIT for Broadcast Journalism, hopefully you’ll see me pestering some politician/hockey player in the near future. I also play Bass in the band Prisoners with fellow MBSS grad Neil Corbett and older alumni Tim Gunderson.

MARRIED? KIDS?
I fear the ultimate commitment and have no children that I know of, but I do have a lovely girlfriend.

HAVE YOU CHANGED MUCH SINCE HIGH SCHOOL?
I hit puberty and grew about a foot immediately upon graduation, I am barely recognizable. I would like to think I’ve matured as one does, but I’m still an overzealous Flames fan.

ARE YOU STILL IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?
I’m neighbors with Ben Dixon and still keep in touch with my friend (and future reunion attendee) Dave Cunning, and, as mentioned above, play in a rock band with Neil.

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
The sweet sweet feeling of immortality.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY IN HIGH SCHOOL IF YOU COULD DO IT AGAIN?
Probably drop all the time I spent going to “Young Life” and maybe use that time to study Biology and Physics.

IN HIGH SCHOOL, COULD YOU HAVE IMAGINED YOURSELF WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I thought that I’d have a family by now, but was right on with imagining myself living in a big city, acting and playing music.

WHAT’S A SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON THAT YOU’VE LEARNED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL?
I’m not always right. It’s a lesson that took a while to learn and still needs to be reiterated sometimes.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TOP PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL?
Graduating University and doing professional theatre in Vancouver and all over British Columbia. I’ve recorded 4 albums with different groups, played with Prisoners, Like A Martyr, Colette Trudeau, Making Mischief and of course Never Ever More.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING / WATCHING LATELY?
I just finished “Hitch-22″ Christopher Hitchen’s Memoir, am in the middle of an ever cheery book on the Holocaust “The Years of Extermination” by Saul Friedlander. I’m very addicted to live music of any kind and just returned from my 4th year at the Sasquatch Music Festival @ the Gorge, the greatest place on earth.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE?
Very excited to begin my career in Journalism and continue on with my current band Prisoners. Might be doing a show in Kelowna this summer so look out for facebook updates if you want to come check us out there or here in Vancouver! Also starting up a new website www.mitchellblack.com which should be up and running in the next month, will be full of live music reviews, Vancouver arts stories and various ranting and raving.

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