My Story/college

My Story - Josh, NDSU Alum

Josh Reimnitz, STLF Alum
North Dakota State University

“Mr. Rodmans.”
Uh, try again.
“Mr. Ramirez!”
Nope.
“Mr. Raisins!”
Definitely not. It’s Reimnitz. Say it with me, “Reim.”
“Reim.”
“Nitz.”
“Nitz.”
“Reim-nitz. Reim-nitz, Reimnitz.”

Well, they eventually figured out how to say my name as I learned how to say all of their just-as-crazy names. A lot happened before I came to the front of my fourth grade classroom in Atlanta and my story starts during winter break, 2004.

I was back home in Beautiful Bismarck, North Dakota watching my sister play basketball. After the game I caught up with an old friend and we talked about what we’d been up to, what we’re doing over the break, and what we have going on for spring break. She told me about this incredible opportunity that would be a perfect fit and I told her I’d look into it.

Another old friend, just days later, told me the same thing and was quite adamant about it. She said I have to check this thing out. Well, being a card-carrying member of Procrastinators Anonymous, I didn’t make any sudden moves, on this vacation plan or any other. After months of listening to my friend I decided to go with the option she presented me: a cheap, planned trip where all I had to do was get on a bus and serve. That sounded easy enough.

Well, that was my first of many Pay It Forward Tours and the rest is history. But STLF didn’t stop when I graduated. Of course I keep in contact with the friends I made and I definitely give a few bills whenever my bank account allows, but that’s not the extent of it.

After college I had the privilege of joining Teach For America to spend two years teaching in a low income area and for me that meant traveling to the heart of Atlanta. I brought the set of skills and experiences STLF helped to breed in me along with an open mind, another skill honed on STLF adventures.

Let me say this, teachers are incredible people. After my first week I wanted to go back and thank all of my teachers profusely for doing it for so many years. It’s exhausting, demanding, trying, and after all that it’s somehow rewarding.

One highlight from my first year was when a PIF bus stopped by my school to volunteer. It was fantastic being on the other end of the service! Most PIFers helped our teachers in the classroom. They spent time tutoring, organizing, creating bulletin boards, and basically helping everyone catch up on all those things that tend to get pushed aside but are essential to operating an efficient classroom.

This experience provided me with a side of STLF I’d never seen on all of my past tours – the aftereffect of our service. To see what a short time serving can do to the morale and the spirit of a community makes my experience with STLF seem that much more worthwhile.

The kids loved (and benefitted from) the extra attention and new faces; the teachers were gushing about what a wonderful bunch of students came through (“Wow. They helped me so much,” was a phrase I heard dozens of times afterwards), and the burden that was lifted off our shoulders was palpable.

I consider myself lucky to see and be involved in the full circle of STLF’s influence. The feelings of being both a servant and a “servee” are ones I will carry with me forever. So serve on, STLF, you’re making the world a better place.

Though it’s only one of thousands, I’m Mr. REIMNITZ, and that’s my story.

View and Read More Recent Story Posts!