My Story/college

My Story - Abby Huebsch

Abby Huebsch - Bus Core Leader
U of M - Twin Cities

My journey with STLF began when I was a freshman in high school and I heard about STLF’s leadership camp from a friend who had recently participated in a Pay it Forward Tour. Making the decision to attend leadership camp through STLF was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. STLF Camp helped me discover who I am and who I want to be as a person.

My involvement with STLF grew and I participated in my first Pay it Forward Tour the fall of my sophomore year. Soon after that, my hometown of Perham, Minnesota began organizing Pay it Forward Days and Tours. We were officially a part of the STLF family. Halfway through my sophomore year, I was given the awesome opportunity to work with STLF in a new capacity—as the high school representative on the Board of Directors. I was able to witness first-hand how STLF functions and works to make a difference.

Throughout my high school career, STLF gave me countless opportunities, whether it was attending leadership camp, going on Pay it Forward Tours, working with my school to plan Pay it Forward Days, or having the chance to be on the Board of Directors. All the while, showing me the power that high school students have in their schools, communities, states, and countries to truly make a difference.

During my second month at the University of Minnesota, I was able to participate in a high school Pay it Forward Tour from yet another perspective—as a college leader. This experience fostered my belief in the power of high school students. Though I have been involved with STLF in a variety of contexts, one thing remained constant—STLF believed in the power of young people.

This is why I was so excited to become a part of the @15 team.

Last week, I was able to meet with fellow STLFers who are as excited about the capabilities of high school students as I am. Together my friends, Mike Forsberg, Jon Okstad, Jenna Untiedt, Greg Tehven, and I make up the @15 Strategy Core. While at our @15 Retreat, we came up with the idea of Dump Days (the time when students can “dump” their points and donate them to STLF). In the creation of the idea of Dump Days, the 12 Days till Dump Days were born. We used the production of the Dump Days video as a way to have fun as a Core and used the video as a means of promoting Dump Days and STLF (while furthering our own musical careers). We strategized ways in which we think we can get more points to reach our goal of 1,000,000 points for STLF.

With the @15 Change Exchange we have the opportunity for Mo’ Money which means Mo’ Buses. The more money and buses we have, the greater impact STLF can make. The @15 Campaign provides an exciting chance for people of all ages to become a part of something huge. Have you created your profile yet?

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