Lincoln high schooler offering parents a school pickup service this year

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — One high school student is hoping to make parents’ lives easier this school year.

For 17-year-old Parker Norris, a senior at Lincoln Southwest High School, the end of the school day is just the beginning.

She’s been babysitting after school, but now, she’s also offering rides to and from day care or elementary schools.

“I know how hard it is — especially for some single moms, single dads — to maintain work and having kids, so I just want to help out,” Parker said.

One longtime neighbor and babysitting customer said she’s glad to see Parker take this extra initiative.

“My daughter Maggie is 15, but she has Down syndrome and was born with special needs, so we really rely on people like Parker that we can trust completely with our special kids,” Julie Lunn said.

With busy schedules, gas prices and child care costs all putting a burden on parents, Parker said this is her way of giving back.

“I really just enjoy being around kids and enjoy seeing parents knowing that they’re being helped,” she said.

Channel 8 went to Tierra Park and told a mom what Parker is doing in the community.

The mom of eight said that it’s a good idea and that she could use all the help she can get.

“Especially with having to go to work in the morning … and the commute to their school and having to wait in traffic, that’s a wonderful idea,” Lonshay Brown said.

Lunn said it’s not just Parker’s reliability that makes the difference — it’s the kindness and patience she shows every day.

“She’s very trustworthy,” she said. “I’m proud of how much she’s grown over the past few years as I’ve seen her go into high school, so I couldn’t be more proud of that young lady.”