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mom next door Carissa Graves BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY
OCCUPATION: Vice President of Community Engagement at Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School HUSBAND: Garret Graves CHILDREN: Ralston, 16; Calla, 13; and Kulshan, 11 HOBBIES: Yoga, hiking, family bike rides, and reading
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P E R F E C T day for Carissa Graves begins quite simply. For her, it’s all about sleeping in before having a cup of coffee and time to read the newspaper while still in bed. After that? It’s time to get moving and head outdoors with her family. As a mom of three, Carissa enjoys exploring South Louisiana as a family, whether they’re hiking or biking. Having lived in 11 different states over the years, Carissa is happy to now call Baton Rouge her home. As the Vice President of Community Engagement at Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School, Carissa is passionate about bringing our community together, and she does so with great care and compassion. How would you describe raising your children?
CARISSA: I feel like raising children is so very different based on the seasons that they’re in. Raising them when they were babies and toddlers was very different than what it looks like now. I would say it keeps me on my toes. It keeps us learning new things and trying new things. It’s an adventure.
What do you like to do as a family?
CARISSA: Our family does love to travel, even if it’s just going to Washington DC for a week and joining Garret there. We love to travel. Next would be some physical activity together, anything outside if the weather’s decent.
What’s the greatest thing about being a mom?
CARISSA: Just being a part of the development and formulation of three really cool human beings.
How has parenthood changed you?
CARISSA: Parenthood has forced me to become more organized and structured. I think it has also helped me to pay more attention to policy, everything from global and current affairs down to the local level.
How would you describe being married to a politician?
CARISSA: It’s inspiring. It really is inspiring to be a part of that and be able to watch on the front row. It’s also really lonely and 24
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I feel like raising children is so very different based on the seasons that they’re in. Raising them when they were babies and toddlers was very different than what it looks like now. that’s because it’s such a unique family experience. It’s logistically challenging. We have to stay on our toes and be ready when it comes to how things are run within the household, the menu, who does the grocery shopping, who drives the kids, and even the disciplinary choices.
What has been your biggest challenge in parenting during the pandemic?
CARISSA: It really has been more about being there to help them process any questions, anxieties, or stresses they might have around this global pandemic.
What do you love most about your job?
CARISSA: The opportunity to really be a part of bridging two very different parts of our community here in Baton Rouge. It’s a unique experience. I found when I moved to Baton Rouge, our neighborhoods stay pretty siloed. There’s not a lot of opportunity to get to know folks who live differently than us, who look differently than us, who are in a different socioeconomic bracket from us. I think Cristo Rey is one way for us to bring the community together.
What were some of the biggest challenges in 2020?
CARISSA: Certainly trying to push our students forward to support their academic growth virtually. We had a really quick turn to get them all the devices they needed, Hotspots, reliable Internet access. I think longevity is the biggest challenge. It’s just really addressing and supporting some of the more basic needs and struggles, regular meals and consistent schedules and mental health.
What has your job taught you about parenting?
CARISSA: I was a stay-at-home mom for a good chunk of my
