Karissa Chabner Adams
Meet Karissa.
From a Little League board member to a former PTA president and a current school board member, Karissa puts South Pasadena kids first. Her demonstrated dedication to facilitating enriching experiences for youth and her overall giving nature make her a true Legend.
About the Legend
Introduce yourself!
Born and raised in East County San Diego, I am a genuinely postive and optimistic individual. I have three sisters and more cousins than I can count and was blessed to be raised in a very big but close-knit family. I left San Diego for my dream school, Boston University to study Human Physiology in pursuit of my dream to go to medical school. Throughout college In Boston, I was lucky enough to work in an amazing Research Lab doing Stem Cell Research. It was early on that I met my future husband, a post-doc from Scotland. Somewhere along the way, I decided that more important than anything else to me, was the opportunity to be a mom. From this point, my path took on an entirely new direction. My husband and I moved out to California with a toddler and our second on the way. We eventually had a third child a few years later as well. All the while, I was fortunate to be able to stay at home full time and do the amazing mom life! My daily responsibilities only grew when my incredibly smart, driven, and successful sister moved to the neighborhood. When she too had kids of her own (3 to be exact), I was given the opportunity to take care of them by day as well. My life flourished with each passing year as I became more involved in activities or organizations connected to my own kids or my sisters. This all led me to become active in groups like the PTA's, the sports groups, etc.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Gregor and I just celebrated our 20-year wedding anniversary! I am originally from San Diego and he is from Scotland but we met in Boston. We have three kids, our oldest Nolan is a senior with plans to pursue a degree in the health sciences and play baseball at Pacific University in Oregon next year, our middle is Keira, who is enjoying her junior year and return to SPHS following a year abroad in Scotland, and our youngest, Taelyn is busy at the middle school in her 8th-grade year as not only a student-athlete but ASB Co-President.
What are you passionate about? What do you love about what you do?
I feel very fortunate that my situation has allowed me to stay at home full-time since my first kid was born, almost 18 years ago. Somehow, with each stage of my kids and eventually the addition of my sister’s three kids (almost 10 years ago now), I have found all sorts of ways to better my own life and hopefully enrich theirs as well. My volunteer commitments take up a huge amount of time - whether it's the School Board, a club or school team, the PTA's, or my role in the South Pasadena Little League. I was even a part of a small group of friends that started our own travel team, the South Pasadena Pride which is still ongoing to this day. I for sure spend too many hours behind a screen writing emails, making spreadsheets, and organizing events. Despite all that, I love to do it because I feel like it can and has made a difference for not only my own kids but others as well. I strive to help support opportunities in our community, that both parents and kids will benefit from.
My volunteer activities in South Pasadena really started with my son when he entered preschool at 3.5 years old. I am the type that always values the opportunity for my kids to grow in all ways including independence and experience but selfishly never wanted them to be away. I loved being and doing the daily grind of life with them at my side. However, I was thrilled to be putting my oldest into preschool as well. At that time, I went to the first meeting at the school, held by the preschool director for the parent commiteee. Not having any experience in the school world, I assumed I would listen and maybe join a small committee. Following that first meeting, I found myself raising my hand and stepping into the role of Parent Committee Chair/President. The role ended up being one I would sit on for many years and through each of my three kids either as the chair or co-chair. It was a great introduction to the community of parents in South Pasadena and also a great introduction into the service of supporting our schools. With my help we organized not only classroom events and activities but school wide programs to generate community and funds for the school.
As my kids moved to elementary school at Arroyo Vista, it was only natural that I would continue some level of involvement. I began as the room parent for my son and in a short time after was recruited to join the PTA. Which at the time was a very daunting and unfamilar group. I always thought, I would stick to jobs that allowed me to participate but not have too much responsibility. However, that role even changed over the years as I was encouraged to be the Vice President and eventually the President of the PTA. My two years as President happened to take place during Covid and with a new principal. I have to say, those years, partnered with my amazing vice president, Megan Gardner, were some of the most rewarding in all my years of service. Together we found so many ways to take the insanity of our changing world and make sure the culture and connection of AV was not lost, especially for all the incoming parents/kids that had no experience to rely on. We bonded with the staff and teachers in ways I never knew we could as parents. It really was a remarkably memorable time in my own life that went well beyond my own kids. I will always be so proud of creating things like our AV Active ( a weekly zoom workout with the kids), the introduction of Whiskers (the first ever AV mascot which led to mascots at all the elementary's) and even our first ever AV scavenger hunt to replace the Jog a thon that year. As my kids got into middle school, I moved up with them and participated in the Boosters club. I am so proud to have some part in a group that has been able to now offer sports opportunities at the middle school to ALL kids with both competetive teams and year round intramurals. I also took on a short role of President of the Council PTA, the organization that oversees all the PTA'S in SP schools. As president, my goals was to try and unify all the schools with some level of progression between each one without losing the individual culture that each one naturally has.
Covid really taught us that we need to be connected to eachother. I love the idea that we are ONE TOWN with many differnt views and beliefs that can all compliment eachother. It was around this time that I took on my role as a school board member. When a vacancy opened in the middle of the year, I decided to apply for the position. This has so far been the most eye opening of all postions. Although with its responsibility I have had to relinquiesh some of my other day to day postions in classrooms and on campuses, I have found a tremendous opportunity in getting to be a part of the other side of the schools. It has really given me an even greater appreciation for what a uniquly special place we have here in south pas because of our small schools.
Along side all my school stuff, I have for a long time been running the SPLL Softball program. I started when my youngest daughter began playing softball because I saw a need for more help and organization in the program. The baseball side has a lot more support and interest due to so many factors and I wanted to help foster a stronger more developmental program for girls. So for many years now, I have been working to find new ways to increase interest and overall love of the game. Something I hope will also funnel into our high school program and help make it as competetive and successful as some of the other sports. I also was a part of a group of parents/close friends who created a baseball travel team here in SP. We saw a need for that in our area in both hopes to give more local options as well as foster an even stronger group of players for the high school. My son, a very motivated, talented and succesful player, always wanted more from baseball. We ran the team for about 3 years and as our own kids aged out, we have since left it in the hands of future parents/kids. I am so proud to see the teams continue on today! Finally, I am always a team parent for any team or group that I can. I love my connection with our high school baseball team and all the opportunity I get to help create greater connection and love for all those families.
When I am not doing my "jobs", I love to be doing anything active! I try and play tennis whenever I can, I start each day working out at boot camp, I love to take walks/run through SP, and I LOVE to Rollerblade at the beach! My husband has introduced me to biking and I have even ridden 100 miles across Scotland! I love to work in my yard even though I am far from a green thumb! And on a cold, rainy week in the winter, I am obsessed with doing puzzles. I will literally stay up all night just to finish it!
I have relished the many years I have gotten to spend with my kids and my sister’s kids. My individual time with each of them is something I cherish above all. I am currently down to my last non - full day school kid - my niece Aleah (4.5 yo). She and I have the best time together doing art projects, lots and lots of science projects, listening to our favorite kids’ bands and storytimes, park days, and even shopping trips to try on lipgloss. With each of my three and my sister’s three, I have been so lucky to have years introducing them to all the joyous things life can offer.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Although I am very proud of many things I have been able to do in my life, quite honestly I don't think I can name one as the greatest. I really feel like the greatest is yet to come, I just don't know what that will be!
What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to ride my bike through another country like Italy.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I see that as my next life - the post-kids era. I hope to find a new direction and focus.
What is something interesting about yourself that most people don't know about you?
I worked as an EMT in Boston.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My fabulous mother-in-law always says, " If it's not yes, it's NO".
Your South Pasadena Story
Tell us your South Pasadena story! How did you come to live or work in this community?
I like to think that the stars just aligned for me in getting to South Pasadena. My husband and I moved to the area from Boston for his job at USC; we were in temporary housing and hoping to find a house as quickly as possible. Not knowing much about LA other than we wouldn't find anything in SP, we set our sights on neighboring communities. However, on one lucky Sunday, we accidentally drove through SP and happened upon an open house. As luck would have it, the house was a perfect fit for us, we made the offer and ended up spending our next 12 years in our perfect little house on Hope St! Once in the neighborhood, I quickly found my way into various social groups and kid friendly activities for myself and my two little ones. My kids eventually started school at Calvary Preschool and then Arroyo Vista which is where I began my volunteer service and the many years of PTA. As my kids got bigger, I eventually found my way into the South Pasadena Little League board and have been Softball Commissioner ever since.
How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to SP in 2007.
What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word "HOME"?
Connection and warmth.
What are some of your favorite restaurants or businesses in South Pasadena?
I love to grab a coffee at Kaldi and Jones' (huge, huge fan of Busters back in the day too). Or you will often find me at Aro having a cocktail and some tacos with family or friends!
What is your go-to "happy place" in South Pasadena?
I feel most happy to be sitting at any of the baseball/softball fields in our town - from Nelson Field, Orange Grove, or the high school field.
What local landmark, business, organization, etc. feels to you like it captures the South Pasadena spirit?
Jones is certainly one of the most hallmark South Pas places. I love the ability to sit right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, watching people going by and enjoying a beautifully-tasting coffee.
What is your favorite community event or social outing in South Pasadena?
This is a tough one. For anyone who knows me, they will have heard me say time and time again, "This is my favorite event, activity, or day in SP". I find so much joy in events like the annual AV Jog-a-thon and All School Sing, or Friday Nights at the high school football field, watching a playoff game at Nelson Field for little league. I love any opportunity that brings together the community in the spirit of our children!
What do you think makes South Pasadena so special?
I think it is the eclectic mix of individuals in this town. You have those who have lived here for decades and those just lucky enough to find it for the first time.
Some Fun Stuff!
What is the last show you binged? What show(s) are you hooked on right now?
TV is not really my thing - I prefer a good podcast!! But Shrinking is the last show I binged. We love to watch The Great British Baking Show.
What are your top three favorite MOVIES?
Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead, Breakfast Club
What are your top three favorite SONGS?
James Taylor - “How Sweet It Is,” Fleetwood Mac - “Landslide,” and Coldplay - “Yellow”
What is your favorite band? What is your favorite album?
Fleetwood Mac, Greatest Hits
What is your favorite holiday? Favorite season? Or even a favorite date in general?
I love the Spring/Summer. I love to be outside in the sun - so any date around that.
Who is your favorite artist? What kind of visual art inspires you?
I don't have a favorite artist but I love love love photography!
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