Get Connected/My Stories »

Everyone has a story to tell. Here is a collection of stories related to STLF submitted by students, parents, supporters, partners, and more. Explore the stories, post comments, and submit one of your own to be posted soon! Thanks for reading!

My Story - Maryssa, ISU

Posted on 30-Jan-12 16:41. Comments (0)

Each summer STLF Chapter Core leaders choose a Word of the Year at our annual Summer Retreat. It is a word that unifies all of STLF and describes the year to come. This year the chosen word was Empower. Maryssa reflects on what this word means to her as we enter Tour Season!

My Story - Kari, MSUM

Posted on 19-Jan-12 13:33. Comments (0)

I encourage others to get involved in Students Today Leaders Forever and pay it forward when they can! It's very rewarding! "[STLF] cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good the [STLF] can do." -Kari Stenger

My Story - Devin Hacker

Posted on 16-Jan-12 11:43. Comments (0)

"After going on Tour my life would never be the same. I became part of something bigger, I changed lives, I inspired others, I gave back and I became a part of a family."

My Story - Dasha

Posted on 19-Dec-11 12:24. Comments (1)

"Sometimes during this trip I thought, why aren’t there any non-profit organizations in Ukraine that just help people and make this world better such as STLF. I really felt sorry for my country at that moment. But one thing I realized is that I can make a contribution to my country and help Ukrainians to understand that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and they can change negative situations in their country through community service."

My Story - Leah Martin, UMTC

Posted on 12-Dec-11 12:15. Comments (1)

At home, every single day we go to class or work, living, collaborating, and interacting with other people and we make an impact on them. But more often than not we don't take a moment to appreciate how another person or group of people has impacted us. STLF not only builds and shows love, but it speaks it too.

My Story - Jessica

Posted on 06-Dec-11 12:47. Comments (0)

If I never found this camp, I doubt I would be the person I am now. This has impacted me in ways I never thought it could. It has impacted me to keep being the change that the world is ready to see and make a brighter future for myself; academically, and socially outside of my textbooks and classrooms.

My Story - Josh Hansen

Posted on 28-Nov-11 10:11. Comments (1)

"I believe that youth can change the world because those who came before me in STLF have completely changed my world. I'm merely paying it forward to those around me."

Alex Rongen

Posted on 02-Nov-11 14:54. Comments (1)

"Three has been a recurring number in my life. I was born on March third. I am one of three siblings. I have lived in three towns. I have three splendid best friends. And my life was changed on my third Pay-It-Forward Tour."

My Story - Amir Elabbady

Posted on 19-Oct-11 17:28. Comments (0)

Seven months ago Amir returned from his first Pay It Forward Tour... since then, he has been a member of STLF Camp Crew, lead a HS Pay It Forward Tour, and is in the process of planning his very own College Pay It Forward Tour!

My Story - Ashley Harris

Posted on 19-Sep-11 11:25. Comments (0)

"I shared with this student what STLF taught me: change takes time, but each small step counts. I also reminded them that each time we try and change something for the good even if we fail we will always succeed at making ourselves a stronger and better person."

My Story - Tom Weinandy

Posted on 22-Aug-11 10:50. Comments (2)

Tom in high school was very shy, but now I look forward to speaking to groups of several hundred. Connecting with people to promote a shared mission, as I did in STLF, will remain at the center of what I do for the rest of my professional career.

My Story - Nicole Merz

Posted on 28-Jul-11 13:42. Comments (1)

"You are all proof that dreams really do come true and I see how excited each leader gets when you share the story of how STLF was created. It is clear that everyone involved walks away with the STLF imprint on their hearts."

My Story - Kiana Williams

Posted on 29-Jun-11 15:11. Comments (1)

"I could honestly write about each and every student on the trip and explain their impact and growth because it was just that great of a time. But I chose to just highlight a few. Leading this tour confirmed for me that I want to be a high school social worker. These students were truly phenomenal people with wonderful ambitions and potential."

My Story - Chelsea Stone

Posted on 02-Jun-11 10:50. Comments (2)

"That's really the best way to change the world: love your peers. Develop relationships that improve each other's lives. Live a life of kindness. Demonstrate trust. By loving each other, we give each other opportunities for untold impact."

My Story - Zhaoqing Chen

Posted on 16-May-11 12:13. Comments (1)

"Yesterday, I packed my suitcase. Everything reminded me of other 43 family members. I can’t believe that just 9 days I can get so much from other person. 9 days, the 43 family member taught me how to care about others, how to express your love to people, how to face the problem directly."

My Story - Rachel Bossingham

Posted on 21-Apr-11 13:50. Comments (1)

STLF encouraged me to be a leader. It has allowed me to discover my strengths and use them to better our society. This organization has brought me life-long relationships that shape who I am. I’m so thankful for STLF. I don’t know where I would be today without this experience.

My Story - Dawn Waarich

Posted on 12-Apr-11 12:45. Comments (2)

I looked at my husband and gave him one of my “are we nuts?” looks as we agreed to let her go...

Over the next few years my daughter would help recruit, market and advocate Pay It Forward tours at her school....

As a parent, I have witnessed the growth and self-confidence these Tours have helped build and the friendships that may never have happened.

My Story - Mia Kaartinen

Posted on 05-Apr-11 18:02. Comments (0)

My Story - Russell Ferguson

Posted on 29-Mar-11 14:01. Comments (2)

Everyone hustling on the bus

Don't really know what’s the fuss

The real people diluted with the hype

Making it impossible to find the right type...

My Story - Mathias Hieserich

Posted on 21-Mar-11 16:15. Comments (0)

Reposted from Mathias' blog upon returning from the 2011 Pay It Forward Tour that he lead departing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to Denver, CO with 39 peers. This is his story...

My Story - ISU Mystery

Posted on 14-Mar-11 12:42. Comments (0)

In the age of social media, we are able to connect and share stories like never before. Abe Lopez from ISU shares his unique account of a Pay It Forward Tour through his Facebook status!

My Story - Karin Bashir

Posted on 15-Feb-11 15:19. Comments (1)

"Beyond the bonds formed outside of the group, the group itself turned into one big family. As an individual, I gained confidence as a leader and I left the trip with complete satisfaction in knowing that as leaders, we made a difference."

My Story - ISU Bus 1 Core

Posted on 02-Feb-11 00:08. Comments (1)

One of three bus cores from Illinois State University share what it means to be a core and their excitement for the upcoming tour. In a few short weeks they will lead their peers on a Pay It Forward tour to Dallas, TX where they will be one of eight buses--over 300 young people--making an IMPACT on those around them.

My Story - ISU Bus 2 Core

Posted on 27-Jan-11 17:07. Comments (2)

One of three bus cores from Illinois State University recount their journey with STLF and the experiences that brought them together. In 5 short weeks they will lead 40 peers on a Pay It Forward tour to Dallas, TX where they will meet up with seven other buses of college students from around the country.

My Story - Audry Pallas

Posted on 20-Dec-10 13:55. Comments (0)

We stood in silence for a while, before he gave me the biggest hug and blinking back tears said, “You know you’re doing so much more than painting rooms, this is what we need—what we all need.” He was exactly right...

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