Former DPS student forging own path to Hollywood with help from teacher

DURHAM, N.C. -- A 2018 graduate of Durham Public Schools is forging his own path to Hollywood that would not have been possible if not for one teacher.

Joshua Suiter graduated from Hillside High School.

He said his loving, but firm 5th grade Pearsontown Elementary School teacher, Dr. Tawauna Stewart, set the tone for the rest of his academic career.

"That was the first year I wasn't worried about my parents," said Suiter. Noting that his everyday goal was to avoid letting his teacher down.

When he reached Rogers-Herr Middle School, Suiter became immersed in his work and extra-curriculars. He played alto sax in the band, and was a football, basketball, and track athlete.

"I had some amazing teachers," he continued, naming Ms. Miske, Mr. Bloom, and Coach Beasley.

He attended Jordan for the first two years of high school and transferred to Hillside High School after his mom challenged him to pursue his love of acting there.

Now a graduate of N.C. A&T University, he is preparing for a move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing his purpose now that he's booked a Hulu special called "All's Fair", a series about an all-women's legal team, that is scheduled for a November 2025 release.

Suiter says he'll never forget that Dr. Stewart could see what he didn't see in himself. He remembers that she told her students to "shine and be great."

"It was more than just doing your work. It was about learning how to carry yourself in school. Disruption shifts the classroom but so does good behavior," he said.

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