For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), we are proud to celebrate recent Western State graduate, Olivia French. A former President of APALSA, her leadership helped foster the strong sense of community that defines the organization today. Throughout her time at Western State, Olivia was deeply invested in student life. She worked to foster a welcoming environment where students could connect, support one another, and celebrate their cultures.
Reflecting on Her Heritage and Family History
For Olivia, AAPIHM is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the AAPI community and her own family’s story. She’s inspired by advocates like Larry Itliong and Fred Korematsu who fought to amplify AAPI voices and advance civil rights. She also reflects on her grandfather’s journey from the Philippines to the United States during World War II and the sacrifices he made to build a better future for his family. “AAPIHM gives me greater appreciation for all of the AAPI community members who helped bring AAPI issues to the forefront and fought for AAPI rights,” she says.
Cherishing Community and Embracing What’s Next
Now, as a Western State graduate, Olivia French is preparing for the July 2026 California Bar Exam. She is also looking ahead to a future career in estate planning and probate law. Once the bar is behind her, Olivia plans to celebrate with trips to New York City and Las Vegas.
“I will cherish the four years that I spent at Western State. My favorite part about Western State was APALSA and how the students were so involved. I met some of my closest friends in APALSA and I am so grateful for such a supportive and welcoming community. I was honored to have been on the APALSA board for multiple years, and I’m excited to watch APALSA grow.”
Read more about Olivia’s journey in her spotlight from last year.