It's a Winn-Winn situation at Eastern Oregon University this fall.

John, 40, and Debbie Winn, 39, are not your typical college students, nor your typical in-a-rut adult. They are among about seven non-traditional students in the 46-member EOU Chamber Choir that is giving a concert Friday ranging from Bach to Broadway.

But age is not the Winns' only distinction; size of family is. The Winns have six kids ranging in age from 15 to 3.

That's a lot of bedtime stories.

Debbie Winn started back to college full time in the fall of 2001, and John Winn joined her on campus in the spring of 2002. Both are now juniors, Debbie a music and vocal performance major and John a double major in business accounting and musical performance.

"The first couple of weeks were a huge culture shock," John recalls. "Here I am in these classes with 60 to 70 kids all 18 and 19 years old. That first quarter even all the professors were younger than me."

Debbie, too, finds college challenging, and rewarding.

"My focus is totally different than it was 20 years ago," she says. "I'm more serious about studying, and want to learn everything I can."

Occasionally, the former stay-at-home mom feels guilty sitting in class enjoying a lecture or discussion when she hears motherhood calling. But she knows returning to school gives her children a vision for their future.

One fear the "Nunsense" actress had was the younger students would see her as a surrogate mom.

"I didn't want to be everybody's mom (at school)," she says, as nurturing her own kids is a big enough challenge.

Now college is an experience for the whole family. Often, the Winn kids serve as ushers for concerts or guinea pigs for classes like vocal methods.

John had gone to college for a year after high school and then launched into a career in sales. This is the first college experience for Debbie.

One question they are asked frequently is, How do they manage financially?

"We asked ourselves that question at first." But after the Winns talked to the counseling office and filled out the financial aid forms they were confident their dream could become a reality. Through financial aid — grants, loans, scholarships — grit, determination and help from the kids with chores at home, they have managed.

"The biggest thing that stops most people is not logistics but fear," John observes. "Can we stand up as adults, face our inadequacies and try something new. We try to instill the same thing in our children" — the confidence to pursue dreams.

John began schooling in business, in his comfort zone. Later, feeling less than fully challenged, he launched into the campus music world because that curriculum would be the most personally broadening.

But going back to school is just part of the adventure. As part of her studies, Debbie plans an exchange trip through AHA International's study-abroad program this fall to Vienna, Austria. Some people have questioned how she can do that and raise six kids too.

But the Winns believe the trip will be enriching for the whole family.

"Whatever helps her become a rounded person helps the family," John says.

The couple are also eagerly anticipating the chamber choir's spring break 2004 trip to Ecuador, where chamber choir director Peter Wordelman taught on a Fulbright Scholarship. The trip will include not only the choir but also members of the Grande Ronde Community Chorus and other community members, similar to the 2001 trip to Europe.

After graduation, the Winns hope to open a music conservatory in La Grande to offer lessons in voice and piano and give community members a chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"A lot of the (EOU) students want to become teachers but don't have a lot of opportunities to give lessons and gain other needed experience," Debbie says.

Whatever the future holds for the Winns, you can bet there won't be a rut in sight.