Ahsan Suhail

Ahsan Suhail is currently a senior at Clovis North High School in Fresno, California. Having been raised in a Hispanic neighborhood in Salinas, Suhail prides himself on his unique cultural composition, with Spanish, Urdu, English, and Arabic mixing together in his linguistic, polyglot melting pot. At school, Suhail participates in Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, and various political and cultural clubs. As a student of the Constitution, Suhail has achieved additional recognition through the American Legion’s Oratorical Contest on constitutional interpretation. Planning to major in economics and political science, Suhail hopes to better merge the business world with socially responsible conduct. Equipped with a higher education, Suhail aspires to pivot from a career in the realm of law to his ultimate objectives of public service—Senator Suhail has a fun ring to it! Outside of academia, Suhail can frequently be found reading Steinbeck, pondering Emerson, watching soccer, or bricking three-pointers at the local basketball court. With extreme gratitude for this opportunity, Suhail remains tied to his roots and resolves to actively work towards fostering a more equitable future.

Click Here to read Ahsan’s winning essay

Our Interview With Ahsan

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes, this was the first time I entered the contest.

How did you hear about the contest?
I heard about the contest through two avenues: a scholarship website and a contact from the American Legion.

What inspired your work?
I am a huge fan of poetry, so whenever I am writing something—whether it be for school or for fun—I always have literary allusions in the back of my mind. When it came to this contest, I was particularly attracted to Ozymandias by Percy Shelley due to its warnings of the perceivably inevitable fall of once-prosperous civilizations. Since our country has been able to survive so long due to the clarity provided by our Constitution, I thought that a cross-textual analysis could be fascinating.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
I learned about the flexibility of the Constitution while creating my entry. The outlined process for the incorporation of constitutional amendments was especially valuable for opening the door to addressing issues not yet apparent at the times of the Founding Fathers.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
As President of various political clubs on campus, I plan to continue hosting debates and general discussions about national issues. Every vocalization of an opinion is an exercise of our constitutional rights, and it should be celebrated accordingly.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I would like to visit the Alamo. The site is home to a significant turning point in our history, and it is a reminder to never back down from a just cause.

What are your career plans?
Ideally, I will pursue a profession in the realm of law, preferably corporate or constitutional. Then, I hope to pivot to a career in public service; Senator Suhail has a cool ring to it!

How do you spend your free time?
Sports have always been a favorite pastime of mine. In my free time, I am usually watching soccer, cricket, and basketball. Otherwise, I am probably reading an American classic.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
With political polarization devastating our country, it is important to recognize the foundational principles of our nation. Expressions of political opinions should never be cause for division; after all, the Bill of Rights were born from disagreements. Further, as the boundaries between legitimate government authority and government overreach increasingly fade, it is vital to retain our constitutional ideals.