Breck School Tour

The Breck (Metro Mix) Pay It Forward Tour will serve on the way to Kansas City!

Thank-U-thon!

STLF's first-ever Thank-U-thon was a great success!

My Story/college

Comments (0)

Aug09

Time 13:51

My Story - Ben Nicholas

Ben Nicholas - Student Leader
North Dakota State University

When I think of "Students Today Leaders Forever" I truly think of an organization that changed my life ever. Not only has it inspired me to be the person I am today, but it has also inspired me to do so many things that I thought would be possible.

I first was introduced to STLF from a friend "Brian Peterson (Petey)". He inspired me to attend the first STLF leadership camp in Crookston, MN, my junior year of high school, which was one of the highlights of my high school years. After struggling throughout my high school years with self-confidence, STLF inspired me to dream big, pushed me to set high goals, and try new things. Most importantly it taught me to get involved and make a difference in the world.

Ben Nicholas After experiencing STLF camp I wanted to learn more and push myself even more. So I jumped on a bus my senior year of High School and went on a "Pay It Forward Tour" which was a whole new experience for me, being a kid from a small town and knowing very little about poverty and giving back to the community.

Coming back from that experience I decided to make a change and to strive to do my best everyday. So after graduating high school and moving on to The College of St. Scholastica I wanted to continue where I left off. I had the opportunity to attend an STLF College Pay It Forward Tour at UND. It was an experience that inspired me even more to come back to St. Scholastica and make a difference.

So with the help of Andy Larson and STLF National, we created the first ever STLF Chapter at The College of St. Scholastica. With that came Christmas Parties, Mini-PIF Tours, Lock-Ins, Roadtrips, and so much more. It is known as one of the most active clubs at St. Scholastica.

STLF has impacted me in so many ways that I can't even express in words. It has made me a better person and taught me to never give up on my dreams, to never take no for an answer, and to always be the difference in the world.

Update: Ben, Andy Larson, Kyle Herauf, Suhan Vethanayagam, and Jimmy Merle are currently on a road trip partly inspired by the Pay It Forward Tour where they are traveling and serving communities around the country! Check out their blog for some stories.