Before his role in Netflix's teen drama Outer Banks, Ketchikan High School graduate ('16) Rudy Pankow was washing dishes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Cheesecake Factory to make ends meet while pursuing his dream in Hollywood. I talk to my former student about the struggles, seeing through the fake, staying focused, and how the thought of not letting his home town down motivated him through the dry periods.

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