The lovely Larissa joined the Pure Freedom crew in fall of 2018, ready to rock Northeast Missouri schools with her contagious joy, huge heart, and creative flair. Larissa has spent years encouraging students in their educational pursuits and personal growth through a local after school program and now gets to bring that experience into school classrooms. She grew up in an old schoolhouse in the country about twenty miles outside of Kirksville and graduated in 2018 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art.
I decided to work for Pure Freedom because I believe the mission is important for the future of our children and society. For me, choosing this work meant that I would begin to meet with teenagers that desperately needed to know how to make healthy choices for their future.
I love everything about my job! I love that we are giving information to students that helps set them up for the best and healthiest lives. I love my coworkers who encourage one another daily. I also love the environment of our office that is dedicated to creating a safe environment filled with hope and grace. This is the dream job I had no idea I even wanted until I began working here.
I am the middle child in my family with two awesome parents who both work in education. They have helped inspire my love to care for students. My most favorite person of all time is my best friend, adventure buddy, and husband, Nate. He daily inspires me to be a compassionate, honest, hardworking individual. I’m so grateful that he genuinely enjoys me and I get to spend the rest of my life by his side.
Health and fitness (specifically running), trying new things, going on adventures, and spending time building healthy lifelong relationships with my husband, friends, and family.
My goals are to always practice healthy relationships, whether that is with my husband, my children, or family. Another goal of mine is to continually pour into a younger generation by caring for them through different programs or outreaches or services (like Pure Freedom)!
I think every student is worth it. I think each one deserves the knowledge about how to make healthy decisions that positively influence their futures. I believe in them and am dedicated to help foster bright dreams in young hearts. I am excited for a future full of young people who know how to live what is actually healthy!