Alexis Levy of Jackson considered jumping into university life when she graduated from Terry High School last spring but concluded she wasn鈥檛 ready for that.
鈥淚 wanted to stay close to home. I didn鈥檛 think it was time for me to move away yet,鈥 she said. 鈥淢ost people who go away end up coming back. You end up saving a lot of money.鈥
Instead, she came to Hinds鈥 Raymond Campus to participate on the women鈥檚 track team coached by Bill Ferguson and get started on her major 鈥 athletic training.
Levy expects to graduate in May 2013 with her associate鈥檚 degree but in the meantime she鈥檚 getting valuable experience as a trainer for the Eagles football team.
鈥淚 really like sports. I wanted to be in a medical field, and athletic training is kind of in between,鈥 Levy said.
She works with the football team early in the morning, goes to class and runs track in the afternoons, a schedule that keeps her pretty busy.
鈥淭he teachers have really been helpful. I鈥檝e grasped the work,鈥 she said.
Next spring she鈥檚 considering going to the University of Southern Mississippi but in the meantime she鈥檚 enjoying what she鈥檚 doing and getting a head start on her career.
鈥淚 plan to get my education and do athletic training on a national level or even for a college like Hinds,鈥 she said.