NATCHITOCHES, La. - A local mother is going back to school, about 30 years after first putting her education on hold.
Shawna Pike graduated high school in 1995 then went on to college. But soon after beginning, she stopped. Pike got married, had kids, and made a life for herself, but the education itch never left her.
Twenty two years later, she tried to return to college again, but the birth of her third child put that part of her life on hold once more.
It wasn't until this year, when one of her children, Addison Berg, graduated high school, that she decided to return. Now, Shawna will attend Northwestern State University-Shreveport at the same time as her daughter.
"My daughter just graduated from high school this year. I decided that now is the time to go back and finish my nursing degree at almost 50 years old" said Pike.
"I'm actually really excited. I didn't know at first that she was going back, but I think it's really cool" remarked Berg.
Shawna says she is working to complete the school's Registered Nursing program, then the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
"I think it's actually going to be a little bit easier. You've got somebody that I love and that I know we can work together" said Pike. "We can learn about this experience together, since it's kind of new for me too."
"Starting something new, but having a person that I love with me doing it, so we can share that bond and experience new things together" said Berg.