Alura Winfrey graduated from Citizens Leadership Academy in 2016 and went on to attend Laurel School where she graduated in 2020. Alura now attends George Washington University, majoring in International Affairs with a regional concentration in Asia and a minor in Chinese. We spoke with Alura last Spring and learned she was studying abroad in Chile through George Washington’s Global Bachelor’s Program, which allows students three study abroad opportunities. Alura will be in Singapore come Spring 2023 where she will attend the National University of Singapore. Her plan in the Summer of 2023 will be to complete an international internship in Asia (location still TBD) focused on Asia policy and international relations.

Alura’s work ethic and passion for excellence are what led her to Citizens Leadership Academy. She learned about the school from a friend who felt the rigor would be a great fit for Alura, who desired an environment driven by hard work and challenge. Alura met with Shelley Saltzman, Head of CLA at the time, and was immediately sold. The fact that she had to take a placement test just to get into CLA was something Alura appreciated since it set the tone for the type of school environment that was to be expected. After starting at CLA in Sixth Grade, the academic climate met Alura's expectations and she thrived.

Alura recalled that students “had to go out to the greater Cleveland area and interview various CEOs and other important figures and take notes during the interview. From our notes, we were tasked with developing an essay about their respective journeys that was then published.” Alura interviewed Bac Nguyen, owner of the restaurant Ninja City, and Eric Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She recalled it being a challenging assignment, having to go out into the community and network with high-profile people for the first time. “I loved the experiential learning,” she continued.

In Seventh Grade, Alura was chosen to attend a speech given by Barack Obama at The City Club. During the Q&A portion of the event, she had the opportunity to ask him a question. “If you could go back to the first day of your first term and the first day of your second term, what advice would you give yourself?” His response focused on the controversy of the Guantanamo Bay prison and the abuses that were allowed under certain presidents, among other important geopolitical topics. Alura was able to shake his hand and get a photo with him. He told her “Keep up the good work. I am proud of you.” That same week, Alura recalls being awarded the Community Leadership award through school.