Teen defies the odds, graduates with her class
Support from family, teachers prevented Westlake student from falling behind
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Cassandra Villa

When Cassandra Villa was born, doctors warned her parents that they didn't think she was going to make it. With severe scoliosis and two surgeries before she was 2, Cassandra's future appeared bleak.

Now, 16 years later, Cassandra is a Westlake High School graduate, the first on her father's side, and she's looking forward to going to Moorpark College. Despite her successes, the road hasn't been easy.

Because of the severity of her spine curvature, Cassandra is missing ribs, while others didn't develop fully. One of her lungs is entrapped, making breathing difficult.

During her sophomore year, Cassandra suffered from a bout of pneumonia that left her in the hospital for more than a month. It was during that time the doctors found that Cassandra's body wasn't expelling carbon dioxide.

"I was doing fine, but then things started going downhill," Cassandra said. "I got sick and was in the hospital, but when I got out, I wanted to go back to school and get it done."

Getting back to school was made easier because of the school's staff, Cassandra said.

"My teachers were all really cool about it and helped my mom when she came and picked up my work," she said. "My teachers visited me in the hospital and brought my homework to me, too."

At night, Cassandra sleeps attached to a machine that distributes extra oxygen and helps her body rid itself of carbon dioxide.

"We've been through so much with her," said Maria Villa, Cassandra's mother. "With all the time she's missed, I didn't think she was going to make it through high school. She's come such a long way."

Villa said things are still tough for Cassandra, but she handles it well.

"She has her days, but now we know," Villa said. "She knows what she can and can't do. I know one of her biggest regrets was not being able to play sports, or to be a cheerleader. She really wanted to, but she wouldn't be able to do the jumps and other things."

Next, Cassandra is heading to Moorpark College to begin taking general education classes.

She's thinking about becoming a veterinary assistant because she loves animals, especially her own cat and two turtles.

"It was a lot of fun," Cassandra said of graduation. "I'm happy that I got school over with. I had lots of fun my senior year, hanging out with all my friends."

For her mom, that's enough.

"I'm very proud of all her accomplishments," Villa said. "She did the best she could, and I'm so proud."