Going Up: The Journey of Two CDS Alumnae Reunited in Washington, D.C.
In 2014, Christina Polanco and Christina Poehlitz graduated from Carrollwood Day School, embarking on separate paths that would eventually lead them back to each other in the most unexpected way. After years of pursuing their dreams and building impressive careers, one day in 2023, they both stepped onto the elevator in their Washington, D.C. apartment building. As the doors opened, they looked up. There they were, face to face, back together again.
Christina Polanco, From Softball Fields to Tech Frontiers
Christina Polanco’s journey from CDS to Washington, D.C. started with a love for softball and a knack for technology. Initially set to attend Florida Gulf Coast University, a standout performance at a softball tournament earned her a full-ride scholarship to the Inter American University of Puerto Rico where she majored in Computer Science. Christina is grateful for her time at CDS, which gave her the foundation to balance softball and academics in college, developing the discipline and resilience she needed to succeed. After graduation, Christina secured an internship with the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C. as a software engineer. That internship turned into a full-time role, launching her tech career. In November 2023, she joined Ford Motor Company as a project manager. In this role, she bridges technology and user needs, driving product innovation through collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Christina Poehlitz, Shaping Global Policy on Capitol Hill
Christina Poehlitz, meanwhile, always knew she wanted to be in Washington, D.C. Growing up moving from country to country with her father’s State Department career, she found her calling in international relations. The IB program at CDS set her up for success at American University. She secured coveted Capitol Hill internships each year, from working with a member of Congress, to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia. Post-graduation, she took a paralegal position at Arnold & Porter, eventually carving out a specialized role as an International Policy Advisor. She’s worked on impactful cases, like helping renew a $3 billion agreement with the Federated States of Micronesia and representing the Salvadoran president, a connection that holds personal significance given her own heritage. Currently, Christina provides strategic advice and guidance in policy matters related to national security, defense, and trade and investment to foreign governments and multinational corporations, including in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Southwestern Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Despite their separate trajectories, both Christinas credit CDS for shaping their futures. Polanco cherished her time on the softball team and felt the school’s support prepared her for life beyond high school. Poehlitz, though initially nervous about joining CDS in 11th grade, found a welcoming community where lifelong friendships flourished, and character development encouraged her to make giving back to her community a priority. Now reunited in D.C., their story is a testimony of the enduring bonds created at CDS. Even when our graduates are years and miles apart, the connections forged within the halls have a way of bringing people back together.
We love sharing our CDS alumni achievements and are delighted to share Christina Polanco and Christina Poehlitz's updates with the alumni community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli Gauthier Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!