DENVER, Colo. (KUSA) - She looked beautiful. Her hair, her makeup, her red dress - everything about her was stunning. No wonder why Lamar High School named Janea Aguilera 'Prom Princess' on Saturday.
It may have seemed a bit odd, seeing as how Janea was an eigth grader. But everyone in that senior class considered her an equal. It meant a lot to Janea, especially since she knew she would never make it to senior year.
Two years ago, Janea was diagnosed with a form of cancer called 'Osteosarcoma'. It started in her leg, but quickly riddled its way in to her lungs.
Folks who live in the tiny southeastern Colorado town of Lamar will tell you few good things are worth noting there. But when Janea's diagnosis became known, everyone in that town came together.
Every inch of Lamar was decorated in yellow ribbons. "It made us proud to say, 'I'm from Lamar'," Janea's cousin told me.
More importantly, it brought a smile to Janea's face.
Last week, Janea started to feel ill. This feeling was far different than anything she had experienced before. She knew it was time.
Her final wish was to go to prom.
With permission from the school, her brother was allowed to take her as his guest.
Janea's smile lit up the room. She danced, she sang, she joked, she laughed - she had never felt so alive. Her smile grew larger by the minute - especially when she was crowned 'Prom Princess'.
That night Janea went to bed feeling like a princess. She had one more day with her family, until a greater calling came. On Monday, that princess turned in to an Angel.
Janea was only 14 years old when she passed away on Monday.
This morning she was laid to rest. No doubt she'll be watching over her community the way they looked over her the last two years.
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