Lifelong Dream of Working at Disneyland Comes True
2001 Yosemite High Graduate
As a student at Yosemite High School, Sierra Smith was sometimes seen wearing Mickey Mouse ears. She had a vision of herself working at Disneyland and that vision has come true. Beginning in May 2006, Sierra embarked “on an adventure of a lifetime working for Disneyland.” She says “this has been my dream since I was a little kid.”
She worked as a Disney College Program Intern, Attraction Operations – Splash Mountain from May 2005 to January 2006 in Orlando, Florida. She supervised the safety of over 20,000 guests per day, operating sophisticated ride systems, memorizing and operating 11 attraction stations, creating a magical atmosphere, light cleaning and assisting with guest control at one of Walt Disney Worlds major attractions. She also assisted in safety, security, and guest control at parades.
In December 2005, she received the Walt Disney World Great Service Fanatic Award. In the fall of 2005, she received the Quarterly Award, Walt Disney World Frontierland Attractions.
Sierra is a 2001 graduate of Yosemite High School and a 2005 graduate of California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Management Option. In 2003, she earned a certificate in special event planning, recreation administration and leisure studies at CSUF. During her four years at CSUF, she was assistant coordinator of events for the Office of the President. This position included guest organization and control, constant guest interaction and setting up for various events.
Sierra also worked for Sierra Telephone in Oakhurst, while she was a student at Yosemite High School and again from February to May 2006.
During her most recent employment with Sierra Telephone, she worked on community events, community donations and involvement, company promotional items and she organized special projects.
At CSUF, Sierra was a member of Smittcamp Family Honors College from 2001-05; she was a Craig School of Business Scholar all four years. At YHS she was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, she was junior class president and she was secretary of the Associated Student Body.
Sierra’s career objective is to “perform a career that allows me to be creative and pro-active, while using my background of event coordination, guest interaction, and community involvement.” She started preparing for this career as a young child and continued into high school. In 1996, before she was even in high school, she received the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award.
Sierra’s favorite quote is “When you wish upon a star, it makes no difference who you are,” – Jiminy Cricket.
Recalling her years at YHS, Sierra says “The faculty and staff at Yosemite High School were my blue fairies to help my dreams come true. With every goal I set they provided me with the help and support needed to achieve the goal. I acquired the skills I needed to begin my journey through life. In the beginning of May I will embark on an adventure of a lifetime working for Disneyland. This has been my dream since I was a little kid. The continuous support given to me by Yosemite High School has played a huge factor in this position. Thank you Yosemite High School faculty and staff for everything! I couldn’t have done it without you.”
LeSierra deserves to be an outstanding graduate because of her service to the school and the community and her outstanding accomplishments in realizing her dream. She is a dynamic, resourceful and always-cheerful young lady.