ALTON - Two Alton sisters, Koran Mason-El and Kamren Mason-El, are making history in their family as first-generation college graduates who are pursuing law degrees together at Saint Louis University School of Law.
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Koran, a rising third-year law student, and Kamren, who will enter the law school in fall 2026, are both graduates of Alton High School. The sisters said the moment is especially meaningful as they continue their education while representing their family and community.
“Koran entering her final year of law school as Kamren begins her first makes this moment especially meaningful,” the sisters shared. “We are grateful for the support of the Alton community and excited to continue pursuing our dreams together at the same institution.”
The sisters said their success has been shaped by family support and encouragement from the Alton community. Both received the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Scholarship. Koran was selected as an Original Three Scholarship recipient in 2020, and Kamren received the Lovejoy Memorial Scholarship in 2022.
Koran earned her bachelor’s degree from McKendree University, majoring in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice and minoring in philosophy and legal studies. During her undergraduate studies, she graduated a year early with honors near the top of her graduating class. She graduated magna cum laude and competed in collegiate women’s rugby. She also was inducted into several academic honor societies.
At Alton High School, Koran was one of the first female athletes to play on the varsity football team. She graduated in 2020 with Gold Alpha recognition.
Kamren recently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor of arts in political science and a minor in communication. She graduated in the top 12% of her class with a 3.98 cumulative GPA and was selected as one of 20 seniors to serve on the University of Illinois Homecoming Court from among thousands of graduating seniors. She also interned for Illinois State Rep. Carol Ammons and held numerous leadership positions during her undergraduate career.
At Alton High School, Kamren participated in varsity cheerleading and served as class president for all four years. She graduated in 2022 with Platinum Alpha recognition.
Looking ahead, Koran is spending the summer as a 2026 summer associate with Lewis Brisbois while preparing for her final year of law school. Kamren is completing an online marketing certification and serving as director of marketing for Mo'Bite Burritos for the summer before beginning law school this fall.
The sisters said they hope their story encourages other young people, especially first-generation students, to pursue higher education.
They also recognized family members and supporters who helped them along the way, including their mother, Kristy Carman, who recently celebrated 20 years of service with the Alton Community Unit School District; their father, Donald Mason-El; their grandmother, Margarett Carman; Lewis and Clark Community College’s TRIO Upward Bound program; their church family; mentors; educators; friends; and the broader Alton community.
“Together, their family's unwavering support, sacrifices, encouragement, and belief in their potential helped make these accomplishments possible,” the provided statement said.
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