When Ali Sandoval was born 17 years ago, her parents received devastating news. Their baby had four things wrong with her heart. She immediately underwent heart procedures and would go on to survive two open-heart surgeries.

"Her second heart surgery was when she was 8, and they said she would need another in four to six years," said Megan Sandoval, Ali's mom. "We're past that point, so that's great. Because of what she's been through, she sees the world in a pretty different way than some other kids. She'll walk by things and maybe see things that we may view as damaged, but she sees the beauty in it."

Perhaps it was this view of the world that inspired Ali to take up photography, which has now become her passion. Several years ago, Ali was offered a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and she chose to receive a camera.

"When I first got a wish, I didn't want it," Ali said. "I felt like they were feeling bad for me, and I don't want that. My heart stuff, I feel like it's made me who I am, and I don't feel bad for having it."

Ali backed out of an offered trip to Hawaii, but after MakeAWish insisted, she accepted a camera. Ali has taken three photography classes at Newbury Park High School, including an Advanced Placement course, and she attended pre-college at California College of the Arts last summer on a 50 percent scholarship. Based on her work, Ali was one of 10 out of 241 students awarded scholarships for the fall. She was chosen to finish her high school education this coming spring at The Oxbow School in Napa, a semester-program focused on the study and practice of visual arts, and she was awarded a 75 percent scholarship as well.

Because of the steep tuition costs, Megan Sandoval gave Ali the idea of putting some of her photographs on notecards and selling them to raise tuition money. Megan calls the cards a sort of "anti-postcard," with some unconventional images, including graffiti.

"It's not s typical photograph, but she likes that it gets a reaction," Megan Sandoval said. "What she captures in her photos, people's response is that they look at her and say, 'You're how old?' They can't believe (she's) only 17. They buy her cards, and then she tells them her story."

Ali will have completed high school this month but will attend Oxbow this spring and return to NPHS in June to take part in graduation exercises with her classmates.

"It's a really, really intense program," Ali said of Oxbow. "I know I take English and some other courses, but it's all learning through an artist's point of view. It's easier for me that way, which I really like. I know the main reason I want to go is because it's a challenge. I'm nervous, but I'm excited."

Ali's mom knows that her daughter will succeed.

"I think because of her situation she has the outlook that she doesn't have time to waste," said Megan Sandoval, who said eventually the valves in Ali's heart will begin to leak and another surgery will be necessary. "She's on a real driven path, and she's a very selfassured child.

"If you grow up with a disease like this, you can have it curtail life, you can live in fear, or you can go out and grab life. You can appreciate life and enjoy every day. Ali is the latter. She doesn't live in fear or waste any time. I didn't have that kind of wisdom at that age."

The notecards come in packs of two for $5. For more information or to buy cards, e-mail Rhombieandtherebel@yahoo.com.