Bigfork graduate finding peace within herself

Editor’s note: The Daily Inter Lake is following up with six young adults who were profiled as high school seniors in a series recognizing noteworthy graduates from the Class of 2016 that highlighted students who turned challenges into personal triumphs.

Faith Larson, 19, has worked hard to find peace within herself, and solace when things go right after years of being stuck in survival mode.

Larson didn’t expect to make it to graduation at Bigfork High School after she had been put into foster care then moved around from one family member to another — but she did.

After graduation, she remained steadfast in the idea of attending college, even if it took years to save up money. The wait was much shorter than anticipated when an anonymous donor stepped in to help after reading her story in The Daily Inter Lake.

Larson now lives in Kalispell, works a part-time job and attends Flathead Valley Community College where she plans to complete her general education.

“It’s been really good not being in debt or pouring all my money into education. It helps me get financially stable as an adult,” Larson said, thankful that someone cared enough to invest in her education.

Her focus remains on studying psychology and creative writing — two subjects she hopes to incorporate in some way.

“There are so many different areas of psychology. I want to find a way I can be creative and scientific at the same time,” she said.

And her dream is to get a doctorate.

“I kind of want to get this part done and see what happens after. I have two semesters to get my gen ed.,” Larson said, noting that she is looking at continuing in a college somewhere in the U.S. or abroad. “There’s a lot out there.”

Pursuing her dreams has been as much of a mental struggle as a financial one.

“A lot of times when I just wanted to give up, and get up and leave — abandon things because things get overwhelming — I’m reminded of things that have happened and I see the bigger picture and focus on the goal,” Larson said.

Things appear to be looking up for Larson, but she still feels a “need to get over the family stuff and insecurities” when life goes well. There is a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that “it doesn’t stay that way.” Larson was traumatized when her father left her family when she was 3 and her sister just a few months old. At 10, she and her sister were taken away from their mother. Eventually, she was abandoned by her father. After living between households, Larson found stability after moving in with her godmother in high school.

Today, Larson remains estranged from her mother and her younger sister, who moved to Arizona during Larson’s senior year.

“I haven’t talked to my mom. When we last spoke she actually called me about the article saying how proud she was of me. She doesn’t understand what she’s done,” Larson said, noting the gravity of her mother’s choices led to her displacement.

She has not contacted her father, and doesn’t believe he has attempted to reach out to her.

Larson still visits her godmother on a weekly basis.

“She’s the one who raised me with my grandmother who passed last January,” she said.

Letting go is hard, but sometimes it is the answer to finding peace according to Larson.

“If someone in your family is or has hurt you in anyway, be it neglect, abuse, or addiction, then it should be OK to let go of them after doing everything you could for them and/or your relationship,” Larson said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.