Author notes

Character Profile: Vanessa Castro

blntmaker

on March 23, 2007

Legal Name: Vanessa Consuelo Castro
Occupation: Student (Sixth grade)
Legal Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record, still a minor.
Place of birth: Burbank, California
Known relatives: Miguel (father), Dolores (mother), Gabriela (older sister), Michelle (middle sister)
Group affiliation: Covington Middle School Student Body Government, Girls' Soccer Team, Special Education Program, Poetry & Creative Writing Club
Base of operations: Sherman Oaks, California
History:
Vanessa is the youngest child of Miguel Castro, a mechanic/business owner and his wife, Dolores, a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Her older sister, Gabriela, is a student at Valley Oaks Community College and the middle sister, Michelle, is a ninth grader at Sherman Oaks High School.

At an early age, Vanessa was a bit of a problem child. She was uncontrollable at home and as early as kindergarten, she frequently got in trouble at school. In fact, it was during one of Vanessa's infractions that she came to know Rayne Atwater. Vanessa was involved in a playground scuffle which she did not instigate. During the course of the brawl, a child lost an eye when someone threw a rock. Vanessa was fingered as the person who not only started the scuffle, but also the one who threw the rock. Rayne took it upon herself to investigate and find the real instigators of the scuffle and the person who threw the stone. It took all day, but Rayne was able to gather up enough witnesses to clear Vanessa's name. The instant friendship led to a change in Vanessa's behavior in school and even at home. When the two girls discovered they lived just minutes away from one another, it was the advent of a close friendship that remains unbroken to this day.

In the process of her friendship to Rayne, Vanessa developed a crush on her older brother, Teddy. The affection she has for Teddy ranges between deeply fraternal to fervently passionate. However, the more she makes these feelings obvious to Teddy, the less conscientious he is of them. Though unreceptive, Vanessa thinks highly of Teddy and leans on him frequently for advice, strength and to a lesser extent, positive male influence. In truth, next to her father, who she is extremely close to, Teddy is one of the most important male figures in her life.

Since the third grade, Vanessa has been identified as a special education student. As a sixth grader in middle school, Vanessa remains in the RSP program and has a growing kinship with Russell Wu, a fellow special education student.

Skills, abilities and interests:
Academically, Vanessa is an average student. She is identified as a special education student due to being diagnosed with a learning disorder known as auditory association and comprehension. This means that Vanessa cannot relate to words and concepts presented orally in a significant way. In short, Vanessa learns more effectively in a kinesthetic and visual environment.

Vanessa is a tall girl for her age. Though large for her size, and clinically obese, much of her body weight is indeed lean, muscular mass. Surprisingly enough, she is an above average athlete. Additionally, because of her athleticism and strength in kinesthetic learning, Vanessa is an exceptional soccer player. She has the ability to play competitively with boys and girls.
Vanessa is also a romantic and deeply spiritual. She enjoys writing and since meeting Rayne, maintains a daily diary filled with thoughts, ideas and "love letters" to Teddy. Vanessa and her family are Catholics. A practice she picked up from her mother, Vanessa prays the Rosary daily with respect for her family and friends.