Santa Ynez High senior headed to Cal State Monterey Bay, aspires to a career working with animals
The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, in collaboration with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, is pleased to honor Sierra Freedman as the January Elks Student of the Month.
In the eighth grade, Sierra, like many other students, found herself in the throes of the COVID pandemic. She didn’t want to do schoolwork at all and it took her until her sophomore year to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic. She now maintains a 3.6 GPA. The one thing that turned things around for Sierra was an early birthday gift of her dog, Koda! Koda brought her joy and helped her become more active.
Her love of animals got her involved in the ag program at the high school. She has helped her farm team all four years of high school, where she tends to the ewes and lambs, checking on them every morning and evening. She has been described by an ag teacher as the farm manager.
Sierra has been working since the age of 12 as a baby/petsitter as well as working at OstrichLand in Buellton as an animal caregiver.
Additionally, Sierra has played golf all four years on the SYHS team and helped the Pirates win back-to-back CIF championships in her junior and senior years.
Sierra loves spending her free time at the beach, golfing, and with her dog. Her favorite book is “Lord of the Flies,” her favorite class is veterinary science, her favorite concert is by Pink! and she would love to travel to Yellowstone.
Sierra will be attending Cal State Monterey Bay, majoring in marine biology or wildlife biology. She wants to work with animals, whether domesticated, wild, or marine. Her goal is to work in animal science and environmental conservation.
Santa Ynez Valley Elks honored Sierra with a check for $100. Congratulations!
