My Story/college

My Story - ISU Bus 2 Core

Illinois State University Bus 2 Core 
Student Volunteers, ISU

I think it is safe to say that STLF has made an IMPACT on all of our lives. From becoming more outgoing to breaking stereotypes we have all grown so much in even the past year. We all went from simply being participants to now leading a bus and becoming in charge of tour consisting of our peers and/or classmates.

Megan Schocker: Going on the PIF tour last year was a complete impulse. My bus core leader came to speak in my class and later that week I was signed up barely knowing one person. I came off the tour realizing my potential as being a leader and now I am a chapter core member at ISU along with leading a bus. I found friendships that would not have been possible with out STLF and I am grateful for that everyday. TO be honest I have no idea where my life would be if I did not do the PIF tour because it has helped me realize my strengths, weaknesses and who I really am.

Will Clark: Last year was my first year on the tour and I really did not know what to expect. I am part of a fraternity at ISU and this was not the typical way that "frat guys" spent their spring break. I guess I was trying to break the stereotype. From the first day I realized why I never did anything like this before. This was the type of thing that I could do for the rest of my life. I am a business major and I want to work with non-profit organizations and this opened my eyes to the road I was about to embark on. All-in-all the tour was a great experience and definitely changed my life for the better.

Katie Teetsov: A little over a year ago, a new friend came up to me and asked me what I was doing over spring break right in the middle of a volleyball play. I didn't know this guy too well at the time, all I knew was that I did not have a conversation with him where he didn't mention this tour...I finally listened, (to Abe Lopez) and grabbed a friend and went to my first STLF meeting. Knowing nothing about STLF or the tour, my friend and I were convinced that the meetings before the tour were hard-core training sessions. (Boy was I wrong!!) Finally the week of the tour was here and I did not really know what to expect other than an amazing time. As the week began, I realized that this trip was something that I would never forgot. My experiences on the PIFT were what helped me make some amazing friends, while inspiring me to lead a tour for the following year. STLF has shown me so much love and friendship. My involvement in STLF has shown me how every person can make an IMPACT each and everyday.

Jessica Costello: I first went on the PIF tour my freshman year and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I only knew two other people going on the tour with me and I was extremely nervous. However, going on this trip was one of the best decisions of my life! I ended up going again last year as a participant and had an another amazing time. Now this year I am leading a bus with 4 other amazing people and I'm just as excited as ever! STLF has really changed me as a person and allowed me to meet so many great people I know call my best friends.

Nick Novak: My first PIF tour was last spring.  I had the good fortune of knowing quite a few of the people on my bus before leaving. Two of my best friends, Kelly and Jessica had gone on the tour the year before and had introduced me to a bunch of STLFers.  It wasn't until the tour, however, that I really got to know these people.  I met a ton of great people on the tour, and I know I am a better person because I met them.

As a core we have grown so much over these past few months and it has been great. We cannot wait for the DWB Retreat this weekend and to learn many more things. The tour this break with not only change the participants but us as well. Everyone will make a great IMPACT on each and every city we visit and each on other and we can't wait :)