Junior nursing major Crystal Sikes learned early that life rarely follows a straight path. As a mother of four pursuing a degree while raising her children, Sikes represents a quieter kind of perseverance—the kind built on daily sacrifices and an unwavering commitment to building a better life for her family.
Sikes was born and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana, in a large, blended family. With seven siblings—four sisters and three brothers—life at home was rarely quiet.
“Currently, my relationship with my parents is the best it has ever been,” she said. “They do so much to help me with everything I have going on in my life at the moment.”
Her childhood, however, came with challenges that shaped who she is today.
Sikes attended West Monroe High School, where she described herself as more reserved than outgoing.
“I would like to say my high school experience was pretty good,” she said. “I was more on the shy and nerdy side, but I did break out of my shell a bit and made new friends that I am still close with.”
Academically, she gravitated toward writing and literature, taking both Honors and Advanced Placement English courses, with English being one of her favorite subjects.
However, not every high school experience was accessible to her. Financial barriers meant she missed out on certain traditional milestones.
“I did not go to prom or homecoming because I could not afford it,” she said. “But I made the best of the experiences I could have.”
She also briefly joined the school’s color guard during her freshman year, drawn to the artistry and precision of the activity.
“I joined because I thought their movements were beautiful, and the thought of learning how to throw a rifle in the air and catch it intrigued me,” she said. “While in color guard, I learned what it is like to be on a team and work with others. Up until that point, I was terrible at group work. I would do it all myself because I did not trust others to do their part fully.”
Sikes’ adult life, similar to many young parents, is shaped by her responsibilities.
She met her partner years ago in a place that might surprise some—a piano class.
Sikes prefers to keep much of her relationship private, focusing instead on her children and education.
Sikes’ path back to college began with a decision to change the trajectory of her life. By the time she enrolled at ULM, she was already a mother of three. Then, life delivered another surprise.
“Incidentally, I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child the summer before I started my first semester,” she said.
For many students, returning to school under those circumstances would feel overwhelming. For Sikes, it was motivation.
Today, she is pursuing a degree in nursing—a demanding program that requires long hours of studying, clinical training and overbearing coursework.
Balancing those responsibilities with raising four children is one of the greatest challenges she faces.
“The downside to being in college, especially nursing school, is you miss a lot,” she said. “I am not as present as I would like to be.”
Sikes credits several University of Louisiana Monroe programs with helping her stay on track.
“ULM’s TRIO CCAMPIS program and the Emily Williamson Laboratory School have been a godsend,” she said.
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program supports student parents by helping them access affordable childcare and providing resources for balancing academics and parenting.
“Without them, I truly believe I would not have made it this far,” Sikes said. “They do so much to support me, and the CCAMPIS program ensures you are always working to be a better parent and student.”
With reliable childcare through the provided programs, Sikes has been able to focus more fully on her studies while knowing her children are cared for.
Among her fellow students, Sikes has developed an unexpected reputation as someone others admire, with one message in particular standing out.
“I do think I am treated a bit different, in a good way,” she said. “A lot of my peers look up to me. I recently got a message on Instagram from a classmate saying I am an inspiration. It gives me a sense of imposter syndrome because, a lot of times, I feel like I am failing at everything. But they constantly remind me I am doing a good job.”
Those reminders help her to continue pushing forward, even during difficult semesters.
Being a mother shapes how she views certain political and social issues.
“Being a woman in today’s political climate can be scary,” she said. “There is talk of voting rights being taken away, and the abortion ban.”
Her own experiences with pregnancy and motherhood influenced how her views evolved.
“Prior to becoming a mother, I was strictly pro-life,” she said. “Since becoming a mother and learning more about women’s health, I have adjusted my stance. I am 100% pro-choice.”
Her shift comes from understanding the complexity surrounding pregnancy and medical decisions.
“There is too much gray area and uncertainty involved in bringing life into the world,” she said.
Sikes also reflected on traditional gender roles she encountered growing up.
“In the past, my mother would make comments about how it is my job to lay out my boyfriend’s clothes and fix his plate,” Sikes said.
Initially, she pushed back against those expectations, but after some time, she chose a different approach.
“I eventually just started to ignore her because I realized it is just how she was raised,” she said. “It just made me sad that people saw things that should be done out of love as a responsibility or job.”
Her biggest challenge, she said, is learning to let go of control.
“My downfall is, I have a hard time slowing down and being comfortable when I cannot control a situation,” she said.
Sikes identifies as a feminist and believes women possess unique strengths that deserve recognition. She believes women deserve to ‘rule the world.’
“Women are considered ‘weak’ in comparison to men. In reality, they are so much stronger. If I could talk to every woman in the world, I would tell them to know their worth,” she said. “Always be kind. You are a force to be reckoned with and are capable of anything you set your mind to.”
As she continues navigating college, motherhood and personal growth, Sikes remains focused on the reason she began this journey in the first place: her children.
Each long night studying, each missed event, each challenge overcome contributes to a future she hopes will give them opportunities she did not always have.
