Diana holds a photograph of her sister that she made for a high school class.

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Young artist struggles to excel despite obstacles
ILLEGAL STATUS RESTRICTS TEEN'S OPPORTUNITIES

in her bare bedroom, Diana surrounds herself with ethereal sketches of angels, which she drew in an art class after winning a competition to take summer courses at a prestigious art academy. The talented high school senior then opens her portfolio to reveal haunting images of female figures with mouths stitched shut, eyes blindfolded and bodies constricted by barbed wire.

``I want to have a voice. I want to be free,'' says Diana, who grew up in the United States but lives in the shadowy world of the illegal immigrant. Her parents emigrated from Mexico when she was 1, and her father abandoned her and her brother and sister after their mother died. The children were taken in by their grandmother, now in her 80s, but don't have the documents to live here legally.

``I wish for so many things,'' says Diana. ``I want to be legal; if someone could make that come true, it would be such a relief, but I know that's not realistic.''

Federal authorities estimate that 300,000 undocumented children are receiving a basic education in California public schools. But like Diana, many encounter barriers in pursuing higher education and fulfilling their dreams.

For now, Diana expresses herself through art, photography, poetry, writing, song lyrics and clothing design. In her spare time, she volunteers at an elementary school, helping with homework and recreational activities. She also helps at her church by taking photos of events. ``I didn't come to America to do wrong,'' she says.

Recently, her father returned for a brief visit, and in her journal, Diana, who is dyslexic, wrote: ``He came into my life and shook the undisturbed, while bringing up the pain and sorrow of a lonely childhood.''

Though her life is full of hardships, she maintains a positive attitude and dreams of being successful. A computer ($700) (1A), graphics software ($300) (1B) and printer ($50) (1C) would help Diana with her education, writing endeavors and art projects. And although she would love to attend her high school prom in the spring, the costs are out of reach. Tickets for Diana and a date ($60 each) (1D) and a special dress ($125) (1E) would provide the fairy dust for a memorable evening.