Eagle Mountain has some residents that have interesting stories. For example, Sara Swearingen has probably helped you check out at Ridley’s, but you probably did not know her story. Krystal Williams, a friend of Sara’s, gives us a little insight. “Sara and I have been friends since Jr. High School. I introduced her to my art and she was in love with it, each day at school she would get excited to see more of my work. She started doing it herself and I have taught her a few things about art the style. We have draw books since then, we bought each other sketch books and pencils for our birthdays and we never go anywhere with out them.”
Sara has lived in Eagle Mountain for 13 years. “At first when we lived out here there was hardly anything out here but now it as grown very much with houses and stores that I have grown to love it.” She is a sister and an aunt. Besides her Mother and Father, she has two older sisters and an older brother. Her sisters are married and each have two children, and her brother is going to college. Sounds like the average residents story in Eagle Mountain, but what makes Sara different than most is something that happened to her when she was 13 years old. When she was 13 years old, she was sound asleep and was bitten by a spider on her left arm. That spider bite affected her in a way that kept her bed ridden for the next 8 and half years. Sara comments, “Being bed ridden for that long I missed out on life. Now I’m trying to live life to the fullest.” Her friend Krystal says that Sara, “is super sweet and loves everyone no matter who they are.”
One of the things Sara does to enjoy life is her artwork. Krystal had this to say about her art, “Sara has improve her art 99% better since Jr. high school and has accomplish to publish them and I hope one day I will. Sara has a great style in her artwork and has a passion for it she keeps improving each day.” She now has two books that have been published and several published illustrations. “I published a manga book called “The Lost Space Warrior”. It all started in sketch book form and then I used a drawing tablet and put them on the computer and paid my Publishers to put it in print form.” “The Lost Space Warrior” has two volumes and are available for sale on Amazon.
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For those who are not familiar with what a manga book is, it the word ‘manga’ means comic in Japanese. Manga books are basically comic books that are drawn in a Japanese style. Sara defines her artistic style a little more, ” I’ve been drawing stories all my life. But that was back then when my drawings looked like the Powerpuff Girls or WordGirl. Now I draw more animated. My best friend Krystal is the one who taught me how to draw better. It takes a lot of practice but I got the hang of it the more I worked on it.”
Sara’s advice to everyone is to “never give up on your dreams. It took me years and hard work to finally fulfill mine. Now you go and follow yours.” We will be looking forward to seeing more manga books
This is an Cedar Valley Sentinel (formerly i84005) Resident Spotlight. If you know a resident that you would like for us to spotlight, please let us know. You can view other resident spotlights on our Resident Spotlights page.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.