Meet Alanna: A Freshman at Encore, Building Her Legacy of Opportunity

Dear Ednovate Community, 

At Ednovate, we believe in creating Positive Multigenerational Change (PMC)—breaking cycles of poverty by empowering students to achieve their dreams, uplift their families, and transform their communities. At Ednovate, every student has the chance to carve their own path. 

Alanna Ayala, a freshman at our newest school, Encore Arts & Media College Prep, is doing just that. Inspired by her brother’s success at Esperanza College Prep—he’s now a college freshman at Kalamazoo College—Alanna chose Encore to follow her passions for art and creativity.

“I’ve been interested in art since I was little. When I was 2, my parents got me a chalkboard, and I would draw on it every day,” Alanna shared. At Encore, she’s exploring her interests through unique opportunities like joining Sound Waves, the school’s salsa band, where she plays drums, and Digital Journalism, a class that lets her pursue a childhood interest in storytelling.

For Alanna, Encore is more than a school—it’s a stepping stone to a bright future. “The promise that I’ll go to college stands out to me because you don’t see that everywhere—it’s special here and makes me feel like I’m sure to succeed,” she says.

Her family’s values of service and community align perfectly with Ednovate’s mission of creating Positive Multigenerational Change.

“My mom works with foster youth. My dad helps LA County with IT. Both of them are very involved in the LA Community, and supporting our community is very important to us.”

Your support makes stories like Alanna’s possible. By donating to our Together, We Rise campaign, you’ll help us reach our $50,000 goal and provide more students with the tools and resources to pursue their passions, achieve their dreams, and transform their communities. To make a gift this holiday season, please click here.

With sincere appreciation,

April Komolmis
Director of Development & External Affairs, Ednovate