Cool Kid Cassandra Gascon helps with Hemet's iconic 'Ramona' play

HEMET, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kid for Thursday, May 12 is Cassandra Gascon, who has been involved in the annual "Ramona" play in Hemet since she was 3 years old.

The iconic "Ramona," a Native American love story set in Southern California, has been staged in Hemet since 1923, making it the longest continuously running outdoor play in the United States. It is based on the 1884 novel "Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson.

"I want to give the audience the best experience," said Cassandra, now 15. "They're going to come here to watch the show. I want it to be the best show they've ever seen."

Besides helping with costumes and other behind-the-scenes work at "Ramona," Cassandra also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, several youth organizations and cancer-awareness programs.

"The more and more youth that get involved, the better tomorrow's going to be," she said. "Because the next generation will know what to do when it comes to them."

Know an amazing young person making a difference in the community? Learn how to nominate them to be an ABC7 Cool Kid at abc7.com/coolkids.