Mother and daughter in everyday life, classmates and partners in crime in their final year of studies, which ended a few days ago. They share the same passions: animal husbandry and agronomy, animals and nature. "I copy from her and she from me?" the girl chuckles. "Of course: 50/50."
A family
Sitting side by side in individual desks, the only two women among so many men, Maria Assunta Atzeri and Alessandra Corona crossed the finish line together on the same day, just hours apart, at the Maracalagonis Agricultural Institute. The mother, 55, was the first of four students to appear before the commission; her daughter, 20 (a parent is always a parent, regardless of age), was the youngest of four.
Both achieved an excellent, almost excellent, result: 98/100. A life and a parallel academic path. Then, after shaking hands with their teachers, the emotion began: kisses, hugs, tears. And the ritual photo.
The school
It happened at Duca degli Abruzzi on a Thursday in June, just the day before yesterday, at the branch of the Elmas school, which hosts evening classes for students between the ages of 20 and 23 who are capable of balancing study and work. "This is proof that education can change people's lives," commented Professor Ettore Crobu, head of career counseling at the Mara campus. "Behind these results are stories of sacrifice, hard work, family, and great determination."
For Mario Asquer, professor in charge of the same branch where eight other students graduated, "seeing the students reach the milestone is a source of great pride." And satisfaction, as emphasized by Professor Rita Scalas, chair of the examination committee.
The mother
Satisfaction, like that of Maria Assunta Atzeri, who does something completely different in life: a nurse. Then came the epiphany, for which her daughter is partly responsible. "Alessandra was a minor in third grade, and I accompanied her on out-of-town trips organized by the school. Livestock farms, green spaces in Cagliari, and so on." While chatting and observing, something happened. "I felt like learning, while my daughter insisted: 'Come on, you come too.' I got carried away, and a year ago I signed up."
