Girls Academic Leadership Academy

// CLASS OF 2026 // our Goddesses shined at this year’s Senior Awards Ceremony at the beautiful Ebell of Los Angeles!

It was a special day filled with celebration, recognition, and excitement as our seniors dressed up and gathered to honor their incredible achievements. Awards were presented across academic subjects, highlighting excellence, dedication, and passion in the classroom.

We were also proud to recognize recipients of some of GALA’s most meaningful scholarships, including the Dr. Liz Hicks Founders Scholarship, the Dr. Michele King Scholarship, and numerous other scholarships generously sponsored by Friends of GALA and our valued community partners.

Congratulations to all of our award, honor cords, and scholarship recipients. Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment have made us incredibly proud. Thank you to our donors, families, staff, and community supporters who help make opportunities like these possible.

What a wonderful day celebrating the remarkable Class of 2026 and all that lies ahead for them. The future is bright, Goddesses! 💙✨

// CLASS OF 2026 // Last week, the Class of 2026 celebrated one of GALA’s most beloved traditions — Skirt Painting Day and the chalk drawings of college decisions.

With paint, creativity, and plenty of memories, our seniors transformed their uniforms into colorful works of art in their college colors, symbolizing the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The skirts that carried them through years of learning, friendships, performances, challenges, and triumphs became a canvas for reflection and celebration.

As they proudly shared their college destinations in chalk, the excitement for what lies ahead was impossible to miss. From universities near and far to unique paths and opportunities, each student’s journey is their own, and we couldn’t be prouder.

While it’s hard to imagine GALA without this remarkable group, we know they are ready for whatever comes next. Here’s to embracing new adventures, chasing dreams, and carrying the spirit of GALA wherever they go.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! Your future is bright, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. 🎓💫

// VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BREAKFAST // It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many parent, grandparent, and community volunteers who make GALA such a special place. With more than 350 LAUSD-approved volunteers, our families are truly one of the reasons GALA is so special. Whether they are chaperoning field trips, helping at school events, serving on committees, leading the FoGALA Board, supporting ASB festivals, or lending a hand wherever needed, their contributions make a lasting impact on our students and school community.

We were proud to recognize the FoGALA Board for their dedication and hard work, and to honor our award recipients for the 2026-2027 school year... Chris, Christine, Ali, Liz, Jody, Kate, and Dipika for their outstanding contributions. We also celebrated our exemplary student volunteer awardees: Astrid ('27), Juniper ('27), Madelyn ('30), and Jayla ('31).

A huge thank you to Ms. Leslie for her incredible work organizing this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast! Special thanks as well to Ms. Eshaghoff and Ms. Gomez for leading the day-of event and helping make the morning such a success.

To every parent and student volunteer: thank you. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment help make GALA the extraordinary community it is.

Congratulations to the GALA Class of 2026! 🎓✨

Last night, we celebrated an extraordinary group of graduates whose talent, determination, resilience, and spirit have left a lasting mark on our school community. We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and all that lies ahead.

While we will miss seeing your faces on campus, we know you are leaving GALA prepared to embrace new opportunities, overcome challenges, and make a difference wherever your journey takes you. Your future is bright, and we can’t wait to see all that you achieve.

Once a Goddess, always a Goddess.

Go Goddesses! 🎉🎓

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🎓 Congratulations to GALA seniors **Jordyn** and **Gretchen**, recipients of the prestigious **George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship**! This scholarship recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to excellence in STEM-related fields.

Both Jordyn and Gretchen have exemplified the determination, curiosity, and perseverance that define the GALA experience. Through their hard work and dedication, they have distinguished themselves as scholars and leaders, and we are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.

The George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship has supported outstanding students for decades, honoring young people who demonstrate exceptional promise and a passion for learning.

Please join us in congratulating Jordyn and Gretchen on this remarkable achievement! We can't wait to see all they accomplish in their future academic and professional journeys.

💙💛

George and Irene Epstein Scholars - Larchmont Buzz - Hancock Park News Congratulations to six seniors at Fairfax High and GALA, the 2026 recipients of SAMPE’s George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship awards.

Congratulations to the newest members of Tri-M, the only national honor society for music students! 🎶

These talented musicians were selected based on their scholarship, character, leadership, service, and outstanding contributions to the GALA Music Department.

Please join us in congratulating our new inductees:
✨ Xitalali (’27)
✨ Eva (’27)
✨ Rey (’27)

And our graduating senior members:
🎓 Maliyah
🎓 Layah
🎓 Lizzy
🎓 Finn
🎓 Parker
🎓 Coco

We are so proud of your dedication to music and the positive impact you have made on our school community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

// COLLEGEBOUND // Congratulations to GALA senior, Bryanna (Bri), who will be attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona this fall, where she plans to major in Computer Science! Yay STEM!

A recipient of the Gold Bearer Rope (Gold Honor Cord), Bri has demonstrated academic excellence, perseverance, and a commitment to growth throughout her time at GALA.

Reflecting on her journey, Bri shared:

"At Girls Academic Leadership Academy, I am surrounded by a vibrant community where even challenging days were brightened by shared laughter with friends. Having an amazing support system of family, teachers, staff, and peers kept me grounded and motivated me to finish strong. Because of that unconditional encouragement, I found the strength to push through and proudly achieve academic excellence.

GALA’s philosophy of empowering young women through a rigorous, STEM-focused curriculum—in an environment completely free from gender stereotypes—instilled in me a powerful growth mindset. Believing that my potential is limitless directly inspired my decision to major in Computer Science, confident and ready to thrive in the tech world."

GALA is so proud of Bryanna and all she has accomplished. We can't wait to follow her journey to Cal Poly Pomona and beyond as she continues to break barriers, embrace new challenges, and make her mark on the world! Go Bryanna! Go Goddess!

🎶 What a wonderful way to close out the 2025–2026 school year! 🎶

Congratulations to GALA’s Performing Arts Department, under the direction of Ms. Leppard, on an incredible year of music, artistry, and performance. The Spring Concert was a beautiful celebration of our students’ talent, dedication, and creativity.

The evening featured outstanding performances by Lady Treble, the Beginning and Advanced Orchestras, and the Serenata, Chamber, and Camerata Choirs. A special highlight was the collaborative performance of Long Lost by Lord Huron, arranged, choreographed, and directed by Piper (’27), featuring dancers and a live student band.

For the first time, we were also thrilled to showcase student leadership on the podium and at the piano, with student accompanist Puxin (’29) and student conductors Gaby (’27) and Rey (’27).

A huge thank you to our student emcees, Rey (‘27) and Harper-Lea (’28), who kept the audience entertained and laughing throughout the evening. We are also incredibly grateful to our parent volunteers, our amazing all-student stage crew, and, of course, every performer who shared their gifts with our community.

👑✨ Crowned in Confidence ✨👑

On Friday evening, our BSAP program hosted its very first Crowned in Confidence Ceremony, a beautiful celebration of empowerment, achievement, and community.

The evening featured an incredible performance by the GALA Step Team, inspiring words from Dr. Howard, and the presentation of charm bracelets to our students as symbols of their growth, strength, and confidence.

We are so proud of each student who participated and grateful to everyone who helped make this special event possible. A huge thank you to Ms. Jackson and Dr. Dadrass for their dedication, leadership, and hard work in creating such a meaningful experience for our students.

It was truly a night to remember, filled with inspiration, celebration, and confidence shining bright.

// COLLEGEBOUND // Congratulations to GALA Senior Sofia, who will be attending Harvard this fall! 🎓 A remarkable scholar, researcher, and leader, Sofia has distinguished herself both inside and outside the classroom. An aspiring neuroscience major, she gained research experience through the Stanford University Harris Internship and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she presented neuroscience research to more than 200 faculty members and researchers.

Sofia is also the founder of the Esperanza Initiative, which supports underserved communities through improved healthcare access, and the creator of a neuroart portfolio that beautifully blends neuroscience and creativity. Her commitment to service and leadership extends throughout the community as Vice President of the Chief Medical Director Student Advisory Council. Sofia is a longtime GALA student leader and amabassador, and is the Class of 2026 President.

We are especially proud to celebrate Sofia as GALA’s first student to attend Harvard! Her passion, intellect, and dedication to making a difference have inspired all of us.

We are so proud of Sofia and all she has accomplished, and we can’t wait to follow her journey to Harvard and beyond!