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Playwright Elaine Avila’s grandfather, João Henrique Avila, was one of the first photographers in his village Ribeiras, Pico, in the Azores, Portugal. He came to America for an education. He realized his dream was impossible while he was washing dishes at Santa Clara University. He ended up being successful in the fishing industry in San Diego. In his thirties, he went back to the Azores and married Avila’s grandmother, Arlina.

Though João—who later changed his name to John to ease American pronunciation—was unable to get an education, he left the gauntlet at the door of Santa Clara where his son, daughter, and Elaine would all eventually earn diplomas.