Brooklyn Collins, Features Editor | March 17, 2023
The alumni spotlight showcases a Carson High School alumni who has made an extraordinary contribution to society or who has paved the way for future generations of CHS students. This month, our proud Colt alumni has done both.
Frances Suavillo graduated from CHS in 2020 and is now in her third year at Stanford University, majoring in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing and minoring in International Relations and Philosophy.
While at CHS, Suavillo was heavily involved in her community. She graduated at the top of her high school class with a 4.4 GPA, was the President of CSF (California Scholarship Federation), Editor-in-chief for the yearbook, a peer counselor, and was elected as a school board member her senior year where she represented over 600,000 LAUSD students. She helped to pass, unanimously, the Student Bill of Rights and has been acknowledged during Filipino-American Heritage and History Month.
Not only did Suavillo speak for and impact hundreds of thousands of students across the district, but she also left incredible marks on teachers and counselors at CHS.
“Frances was definitely one of the most memorable students we've had at CHS. She wasn't just a bright student, she was one of the most well-rounded students I have come across,” said CHS counselor Mr. Chhai. “She let students know no matter where you are, specifically Carson High, you can go above and beyond this school alone.”
Not everything was planned to perfection for Frances though.
“I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the US when I was 9. I basically had to re-learn how to live life because life back home is so different from life here. It was a big change for me,” explained Suavillo.
She didn’t let her challenges and setbacks define her. Although she had to adapt to life in a new environment, she took her challenges and made the best of them.
“I struggled, but I was able to persevere through it all. I think Stanford likes that-- knowing that a student is able to push past all these adversities and still come out on top,” said Suavillo.
Suavillo is an excellent example of the remarkable students that CHS produces. She has trailblazed a path for many students that come from other countries and who also had the odds stacked against them. She has shown students all over that your circumstances and situations do not define you, but it's what you make of them that shows who you really are.
After graduating from Stanford, Suavillo has plans to continue to serve her community.
Suavillo said, “I hope to work for LAUSD full-time. I've worked with them since my senior year of high school. I want to continue to make a difference in students' education by continuing to advocate for student rights.”
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