After FALA I attended NAU and graduated with a degree in Geology. When I completed my degree I worked at USGS for eight years mapping and managing a lab for the Geology group. It was during my time at USGS working with the outreach program that I decided that I wanted to teach science; so I am now a 7th grade science teacher in the Alpine Academy at Mount Elden Middle School.
Sierra Hawkins (formally known as Sierra Heuermann) is an American actor, stunt woman, awarding musical artist, and songwriter. The multi-talented starlet started her journey starring in 2014’s #1 in box office “Ouija” to then go on to work in multiple films and tv projects such as “The Detective” co-starring Michael Madsen. “The Terminator”, “Annabelle Comes Home”, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do it ” and much more. Sierra’s musical sound thrives on emotional connection, catchy hooks, and unique melodies. Her music draws influence from artists like Sia and Radiohead. She has played venues including the Verizon Amphitheater with Alt-rock band MUSE, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), and more. With songs signed to Kobalt publishing her music and songwriting can be heard in movies such as “Bite”, “The Sound of Settling” and more. Sierra is also a proud alumnus of The Recording Academy’s Grammy Next program. Aside from preforming Sierra is an author and business owner of Magick by Sierra where she shares her intuitive gifts, manifestation techniques, and handmade items. Sierra’s mission is to expand the joy she feels while preforming, help others process their emotions through her music, help others heal, and love all parts of themselves through feeling and letting emotions be a guidance system through transformation and growth.
Melissa graduated from NAU with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Science and from CCC with an associate’s in Criminal Justice. She has been certified in three states as a veterinarian technician and is now working on getting accepted to Vet School in Colorado. Melissa says this about FALA: “It was a wonderful place for me to grow and mature. I miss the arts, especially dancing and music. The teachers are just not the same in college, I wish they were more like the FALA group. I couldn’t believe how big the world really is and I thank my teachers at FALA for teaching me things I probably wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. The new campus is stunning. I wish the best of luck with the graduating classes to come. It can’t get any better at FALA.”
Cosmo graduated with a Bachelor’s in Technology Management with Honors from Northern Arizona University, and an Associate’s of Applied Science in Computer Network Engineering with Honors from Coconino Community College. He currently works as the Lead I.T. Technician for Grand Canyon National Park and provides technical support, server management, network design, and IT project management for an 850,000 square mile service area. He is also active in a Computer Technical Specialist position on a Southwest U.S. Forest Service Type 2 Incident Management Team during the wildfire season. Cosmo thanks FALA for providing a safe and supporting learning environment during difficult points in his life.
Mariah attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, graduating with a degree in International Affairs and a minor in Art in 2012. Mariah wrote her thesis on the Military Coup in Thailand in 2006 and graduated on the dean’s list. She moved back to Flagstaff because she wanted to go to graduate school in Arizona. She works with Saint Mary’s Food Bank. What Mariah remembers most about FALA is the sense of community that FALA fosters. “I loved working hard on all our dances, plays and art shows and seeing what amazing things we were capable of with the support of our teachers! I’ll always remember lying out on the old FALA decks in the sunshine and doing homework or working on a class project.”