Pekin graduate Karissa McKim

A senior in the spotlight is Karissa McKim. She is the daughter of April and Jeremy McKim. Her siblings include Kirstan Garcia and Clayton McKim.

She has been involved in Student Council and National Honor Society. She has also worked at the Bp gas station, Keokuk County Hospital, the Ottumwa Regional Health Center, and MH Equipment.

What's your favorite school memory/OR what will you remember the most? Wrestling and football cheer as a freshman.

If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? I would make more friends and worry less.

Finish this sentence, “I could not live without…” My family.

What's the best and/or worst thing about being a senior? Knowing you're at the big steppingstone of your life to choose a career or college.

Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why? Matt Hoffman because he was one of the most understanding teachers during school and especially in middle school.

What’s your advice to incoming high school freshmen? Don't stress so much of what other people think of you.

What are your plans after graduation? Go to Indian Hills to finish my nursing degree and continue my education through University to become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

What is one outrageous thing you want to try in your lifetime? Parasailing.

If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Near the ocean to have the ability to go out to the beach always and be in the heat.

Who has been your biggest influence and why? My sister, watching her go through the nursing program and accomplish many things influenced my decision on college and who I want to be.