My Story/college

My Story - Audry Pallas

Audry Pallas
Student Leader - Michigan State University

Return to Innocence STLF saved my life. I will try to avoid saying the normal cliché jargon people preach when relating to things that have greatly impacted them. Not to say that these statements are not true, but I want to make sure that I do my best in truly relaying how deeply impacted my life was and continues to be by this organization.

I spent a lot of time thinking about the trip for days, weeks, and months after the Tour ended. Although this year’s word for the Tour was “Discover,” I believe my word would have been “Healing.” To me, STLF in all its forms is a healing process. Whether referring to the healing process that began with the formation of an entirely new STLF chapter, or the sincere friendships created within the core, or the healing spurred by “yarn circles,” on the trip. Healing is at the core of everything STLF does.

The Value of Relationships

STLF fosters the sharing of life struggles whereby we learn to listen and share our own challenges. Simply admitting that we do struggle is healing enough. We live in such a fast paced, self interest driven world that it’s easy to let compassion for the well being of others take a backseat to your own needs. This attitude is really promoted in college when everyone is so focused on building their resume and getting the most for themselves.

STLF refocuses that lost compassion, through the service projects, and the bonds formed on and off the Tour. As a leader especially, I learned how by putting my own interests aside, and focusing on the happiness of others, I became a happier individual myself.

Strength of a Core...

What’s amazing to me is the friendships that I have formed with the three other core members, and how nothing will ever come between these rock solid bonds. We nurtured an

inconceivable idea and witnessed it take flight into something absolutely incredible. We walked into the abyss with blind faith and hope that our efforts were not in vain. We gave up so much of our time and of ourselves so that others would benefit.

• Hassan Zaarour will be somebody to watch for in years to come. His ability to lead is unmatched, especially for his age, and he will always be a mentor, no matter where he may lead his life from here on. 
• Shelby Couch is one of the warmest and happy individuals I have ever met. 
• Caroline Chen is probably the most resourceful and focused person I have ever met, hands down. 

While I’m most excited about the friendships that will be formed between new MSU bus cores, I can’t help but revel in the magic that being the first bus core at MSU brought to our lives and our friendships. We became a family. Albeit, a family extremely successful at cross country road trips.

Breaking Down Stereotypes

A lot of organizations and politicians and religions preach about healing, and the healing of the nation. America is divided among so many lines, whether they are race, political, or economic. By breaking every stereotype and truly healing people’s lives, we did more than just talk the talk. We walked the walk. People have questioned the sustainability of the efforts of STLF. How can one service project, one re-painted church really impact people that greatly? By healing.

While at one of our service projects, an older man, a by-stander came up and inquired to what we were doing. I told him about STLF and what the goals were for the trip. He was absolutely dumbfounded that college kids would give up their spring break to sleep on church floors and paint buildings. 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. We are doing so much more than painting rooms; and mulching parks, we’re re-kindling the selflessness and compassion for others that so many others have thrown to the wind. It is the purest form of paying it forward.

More than just a Trip

Literally thinking about certain parts of the Tour can bring me to tears in seconds, and I hardly ever cry. I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am for the people who have so selflessly let me into their lives, while helping me heal mine.

I cannot champion STLF and their causes anymore than I already have, and I am sad that I will only have one more year to be involved with this incredible group. However, I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to be a part. Big thanks to the absolutely amazing people that gave up Cancun and threw caution out the window to make the trip an awe-inspiring experience.

View and Read More Recent Story Posts!