Senior Francis Ruan is hard to miss.

“Francis is an instigator, getting everyone riled up and distracted in a very enthusiastic way,” Trigonometry Honors teacher Jeanne Yu said. “He is the kind of student who gives the teacher a headache while in class, and then the teacher goes home and secretly laughs about all his antics.”

“He loves to have fun, smile, and see other people smile,” ASB adviser Sarah Alvarado said. “Just like every human, he can’t be positive 100 percent of the time, but the way that he handles situations shows how he embodies humanness and owns up to his actions.”

Growth has been central to Francis’ high school journey. According to him, he entered high school with a cocky attitude and a love for his own thoughts. When he lost the class presidential election his sophomore year, however, watching senior Simona Choi fulfill the role made him reevaluate what leadership really meant.

“She was very quiet, peaceful, and understanding of others,” Francis said. “She always made sure to listen to other people’s thoughts before hers. Putting other people first is the biggest thing I had to learn.”

Francis was then elected class president in his junior year and became ASB president this year. He also leads the Finance and Start Up Club, is vice president of Blue Crew, mentors for English Language Development classes and Jumpstart, and competes on the varsity football team.

“Now, as a senior growing into the person he really wants to be, he is becoming this very wise, compassionate, and thoughtful human who is incredibly loyal and trustworthy,” Alvarado said.

Today, Francis describes himself with a blend of contradictions: “jolly,” “impulsive,” and “disciplined-ish.” 

“I have a very set idea of what I’m going to do, and I stick to my plan,” Francis said. “I’m very proud of myself every day.”

Next year, Francis is attending the University of Southern California, studying artificial intelligence for business. Francis leaves Los Altos High School with a wide range of skills and interests — from creative writing to entrepreneurship.

“People don’t think of me as someone who writes books or journal entries at home,” Francis said. “But I feel kind of quirky writing something secretive and interesting.”

But one thing Francis is sure about is becoming a youth pastor at a Christian church, as he has grown to be passionate about Christianity over the last four years.

“Religion is a moral standpoint for me,” Francis said. “I believe that God talks to people around the world differently and that might come in the form of a very different religion. Learning to accept people is a part of my religion.” 

In the end, Francis isn’t after some rigid life plan. He’s after something simpler.

“I want to be in Hawaii, biking with no shirt, with sandals on, really tan, and holding a coconut in my left hand,” Francis said.