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Diverse talents thrive at Agoura High
By Stephanie Bertholdo
bertholdo@theacorn.com
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| TOSS UP- Olga Galchenko, a professional
juggler in Russia, discovered her academic skills
while at Agoura High School. The teen, who was
accepted at several colleges, plans on studying at
Moorpark College because she feels she's too young
for dorm life. MARK BAKALOR Special to The Acorn
| | Agoura
High School's Class of 2007 produced a diverse group of high
achievers.
Seniors Olga Galchenko, Michael Bluestein and Derek Johnson
exemplify the unique mix of talents developed at the school.
While the three students couldn't be more different from each
other, they have in common a laser-sharp focus on achieving
their unique goals.
Olga Galchenko
Olga Galchenko is a worldclass professional juggler from
Russia, but life in the United States and as a student at
Agoura High School has opened the world to the 16-year-old.
Juggling provided a means for Olga and her brother,
Vladimier, known as Vova, to immigrate to the U.S. from Penza,
Russia, four years ago. The siblings' parents wanted a better
life for their children and believed America would provide the
future Penza could not.
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| STRONG ARM- Derek Johnson, a state
champion discus thrower, pursues his sport for the
love of it.
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staying in New Hampshire, followed by a stay in Boulder,
Colo., Olga arrived at Agoura High School two years ago and
discovered she had other talents, including the brain power to
excel in math and science.
"I like school, I really do," Olga said, with no trace of
an accent. She credits teachers Steve Bacharach and Paul
Kanter for her love of science and math. Although she has been
accepted at most of California's top universities, she will
attend Moorpark College for her freshman year.
"I'm 16, and I don't want to live in the dorm yet," she
said.
Olga said she was inspired to juggle at the age of 10 after
seeing her brother excel in the sport. But the siblings were
more than just good. They hold the world title for the
greatest number of clubs, 12, juggled between two people. Olga
is also an accomplished solo juggler and placed second
internationally in the female division.
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| SCHOLAR- Michael Bluestein overcame
physical limitations to excel academically.
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Galchenkos live in Agoura Hills with Mark Bakalor's family,
his daughter, parents and grandparents. "They've become family
to us," Bakalor said.
The juggling siblings have caught the attention of the
media. Brother and sister have been featured on the "Oprah
Winfrey Show," the "Ellen Degeneres Show" and "The Today
Show." They were also featured in a splashy Time
magazine spread.
Olga hasn't seen her parents for four years, but she will
spend the summer with them before beginning college. "Right
now I'm really homesick."
As homesick as she is, Olga isn't sure she'll ever return
to Russia for good. "I can get a good education here."
Michael Bluestein
While Agoura High produces many scholars, Michael Bluestein
stands apart from the crowd because of his ability to soar
academically despite the challenges of living with cerebral
palsy.
Michael, 18, won Agoura High's presidential award for
academic excellence, and the Golden State diploma, a
departmental award for mathematics. He graduated June 15 with
a 4.1 grade point average, and was among the elite group of
students graduating as gold seal bearers with highest honors.
Scholarly pursuits landed Michael the University of
Southern California's prestigious presidential scholarship for
academic excellence.
Excelling in school wasn't easy. "Since I couldn't write, I
had to dictate everything from English to math to physics,"
Michael said.
He had help from personal aides throughout his years at
Agoura High. He verbally answered test questions and the aide
wrote down his answers.
"The school was always very supportive," Michael said.
"They always encouraged me to do my best. I was very lucky."
He has his sights set on majoring in math and science at
USC, and hopes to one day work in the music industry,
preferably as a producer.
"There's nothing that has been put in front of Michael that
he hasn't been able to accomplish," said his mother, Julie.
"He always has a smile and an unbelievably positive attitude."
Derek Johnson
Derek Johnson is a state champion discus thrower and has
been throwing his way up on state and national charts. He made
California history at the Antelope Valley Throw Fest two
months ago, heaving the discus 205 feet, 5 inches. He won the
state title, beating out his nearest competitor by 14 feet.
Derek now ranks third in the nation for his division.
To meet the challenge of discus competitions, Derek, 18,
has missed out on some of the usual perks of being a high
school senior, including his prom.
But being in the top echelon of a sport has its own
rewards. Derek is in top form, training like a champion,
spending hours running and weight lifting. The emphasis in
discus is on "pop and explosiveness," Derek said.
Awarded a five-year, all expenses paid scholarship to Cal
State Bakersfield, he will follow his father's lead and earn a
teaching credential. (Mark Johnson teaches at A.C. Stelle
Middle School.)
"I really don't compete to win every meet," Derek said. "I
love doing it so much- it's just fun."
Derek expects to one day try out for the Olympic discus
team. "Maybe 2016 will be my year."
"I'm really proud of him," said his mother, Debbie Johnson.
"I just think the commitment that he has with throwing has
really just made him a better person all around."
She also complimented Derek's coach, John Amneas. "He
taught him some really great life lessons."
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