The Ventura County Class of 2021 Impresses and Inspires Amid Pandemic Challenges

When Andres Casas started feeling unusual pain in his legs during his freshman year, he never could have imagined it was cancer. He was young and healthy and loved being a sprinter on the track team at Moorpark High School.

Imagine four students attending class remotely on their computers from the same small hotel room for a month. That was the reality for Maria Oregel Lopez and her siblings after a fire displaced her family.

While many Americans are turned off by the divisive state of our nation’s politics, Alex Edgar is trying to do something about it. “Maybe we don’t have to be told that things are this way because they’ve always been this way, and we can actually work to change them,” he says.

Some students give back to their communities by providing holiday gifts for families in need. Others volunteer at animal shelters or for blood drives. And others join community recycling campaigns to help the environment. Bella Francisco, a graduating senior from Westlake High School, has done all of those things and more.

Per Aspera Ad Astra is Latin for “through hardship to the stars,” and Fillmore High School senior George Mooradian says it’s an ideal description of his life.

Carissa Llamas has a bright smile that lights up the room. She’s a confident speaker who has no trouble expressing herself. And she also has autism.

Carlos Alcantar has a lot to celebrate. In addition to graduating as Buena High School’s valedictorian with a 4.75 grade point average and being accepted to Stanford University, he also recently became a US citizen.