It was obvious that day that she had been studying dance since she was four years old—at the Lula Washington Dance Theatre—and that she is in so many ways her mother’s daughter. Mom grew up in Guatemala but went on to attend the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy in California before going to Bennington, and ultimately joining a professional dance company. And it was also obvious why Leahnora, at the age of 15, was accepted into the dance program at LA County High School of the Arts (LACHSA)—she was one of just 24 accepted from thousands who applied.