Carissa Yoakum
BY RACHEL WEBB, ENN REPORTER
Carissa Ann Yoakum is a graduating student of the 2026 class. She is the daughter of Amy Yoakum of Eldon and the late Troy Adams of Ozarks. During her time in high school, she was involved in art club, Esports, Student Council, The Nest, yearbook and she has led the Dungeons and Dragons club.
Carissa's favorite class was Yearbook with Mrs. Laura Greenley. One piece of advice she has for new high school students is to “prioritize what you want to do in college and your classes.” She says the most beneficial class she has taken and would recommend to new students was The Nest with Mrs. Keli Huchtman, where you learn basic retail and job skills in a learning environment. One of her favorite high school memories was when two of her friends accidentally broke a chair on Homecoming night, and to commemorate the event, she drew a portrait of it for her art class.
Carissa plans to attend Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. to receive a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts. Then she plans to get an apprenticeship at Nightshade in Columbia, Mo. to start tattooing. Once she has completed her education, she plans to open up her own tattoo and piercing parlor.