HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) - Alexis Billeter tore her ACL her junior year of high school and had to undergo physical therapy.
When the Loomis senior saw how physical therapists help people emotionally and physically, she became interested in pursuing it as a career. Through the AXIOS program, Billeter learned more about time management, making a plan and setting goals.
The program helped her solidify her plan to attend Southeast Community College in Beatrice where she plans to play basketball and study physical therapy.
The Kearney Hub reports that mentoring the next generation and equipping them to discover their purpose in life while helping them use their talents to affect the community positively is the mission of the nonprofit AXIOS program. Alex Mahundi of Holdrege started the pilot program in 2020 at Loomis Public Schools.
Mahundi has a history of working with kids as the director of programming at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA in Holdrege, as the current director of mission, connection and family life at Trinity Evangelical Free Church and as the Holdrege High School girls’ soccer coach. He noticed when he asked seniors their plans after high school, many didn’t have a clear idea of where they were going or what they wanted to do.
“We are just shifting the focus like, ‘Let’s just go get a degree.’ Which is good, there are some careers where you need to do that. But we think we need to just take a step back and identify, ‘OK what are you doing? Who are you?’” Mahundi said.
Mahundi created AXIOS to take a holistic approach where students are mentored and are able to explore different careers.
“There is a wider spectrum. We look at their skill set. We look at their talents. We bring in some people who are in those organizations. They can hear and learn from them, and they can make a decision,” he said.
AXIOS focuses on students in grades 8-12 with goals of linking students to career fields best suited to their talents and skills and exploring post-secondary training for their career goals, including technical school or two- and four-year degree programs. The program also connects students with companies and organizations in their career field.
Mahundi strives to develop students’ personal qualities that will translate into successful job performance and retention.
“If we identify who you are, your talent, your skills, we are trying to see how you are going to get there? What kind of goals can you put in place? What kind of platform will help you to get there? Who do you have in your corner so to speak to help you accomplish your goals?” Mahundi explained.
Mahundi began the once-a-week class with 10 freshman and 17 seniors at Loomis. The class is a two-semester program. In the first semester, participants will be exposed to classroom education, presentations from leaders and organizations in the community.
During the second semester, students will be able to job shadow, learn about financial responsibilities and be mentored.
Mahundi is working with local companies to help match students with high-demand jobs in the area. AXIOS is currently sponsored by local businesses seeking to discover area talent to fill jobs. Partners include Legacy Purpose LLC, Landmark Implement, Svoboda’s Ace Hardware, South Platte Crop Consulting, Bruning Bank, Phelps Memorial Health Center, First State Bank of Holdrege, Lundeen-Isaacson Insurance and South Central Economic Development District.
“We are looking for kids who can be mechanics, plumbers, electricians, all the jobs we need. If we don’t talk to kids, if we don’t bring role models from the community for them to see how it takes to become a plumber or mechanic and stuff like that, if they don’t see what it takes, we are missing (out),” he said.
When Ryann Herrenbruck took an assessment on what career would best fit her, the results showed nursing or the medical field would be a good choice. Through the AXIOS program, she was able to make the decision to pursue dental hygiene at Central Community College-Hastings.
She plans to return to Phelps County when she graduates from college.
Mahundi plans to start another class in the fall in Loomis, and he also will be taking AXIOS to Bertrand Community School and Holdrege Public Schools. Students have responded well to the program and have been eager to learn more and make plans for their future.
“We need this generation of workforce to be ready. (We need) this younger generation to take over and to prepare them so they can be ready when they are done,” Mahundi said.
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