We are very excited to announce that Xena Ayala, a student who has been attending tutoring at 826LA since 2006, has made honor roll at John Adams Middle School!

Xena has been coming to 826LA West in Venice Monday through Thursday for the past four years. Her mother Hilda tells us:

"I cannot thank you enough for all the help and support that you have given me and my daughter Xena these last couple of years…my daughter goes to 826LA Monday through Thursday, and she loves all her tutors. I work full-time and take my lunch hour at 2:30 just so I can take her for tutoring, and after work I pick her up at 5:30. It is so wonderful to have 826LA close in our community. I do not know what I would do without the help she gets from 826LA."

But Hilda's not the only one that appreciates 826LA—Xena actually enjoys coming here too!

"I've been here since 3rd grade. It's helped me a lot, improved my grades, and helped with my dyslexia. All the tutors are extremely encouraging, awesome, smart, and keep me on track. I have never left 826LA unconfident in the work I did. I just want to say thank you to all the people that helped me with my work ethic and helped me achieve the grades I have now."

Xena most recently participated in our student song writing program, where she helped write "New Beginning." A cover of the song has been recorded by local Los Angeles band Dum Dum Girls, and will be performed at Chickens in Love, a benefit concert for 826LA on March 6. Check out Xena (with bandmates Kimi and Shizuku) performing the song below. (That's her on the left of the couch.)

Pledge your support for "New Beginning" and 826LA programs!