My Story/college

My Story - Kari, MSUM

Kari Stenger

Bus Core Leader, MSUM

My name is Kari Stenger and I am a sophomore at Minnesota State University Moorhead. I went on my first Pay It Forward Tour Spring of 2011 to Memphis, Tennessee.

Coming onto the tour, I didn't quite know what to expect. All I knew was that I was going to be doing service and getting out of the Minnesota tundra. On the tour, I had the most amazing experience. I have met new people, visited new states, had fun, and made a difference in the communities. I have gained happiness through meeting new friends and a sense of accomplishment through service, which has boosted my self-confidence and motivation. This motivation has inspired me to commit myself to service.

I plan to continue going on the Pay It Forward tours, lead high school and college tours, and start a high school tour in my hometown. I have become a part of bus core and an active member of MSUM STLF. The MSUM bus core leaders on my tour have shown what it takes to be a true leader. They have inspired me to become more involved and be an advocate of STLF. They were AWESOME! A couple of our service projects were cancelled but they took charge and were able to handle the situation by finding new projects. I also want to thank them for helping all of the participants feel so comfortable and get to know each other. We have all become so close from the tour and I know that I have 40 new friends that I can count on. STLF makes me feel important and challenges me to be a better person and reach out to others to help them feel the same way. The tour was an amazing experience and has had a positive impact on my life. I encourage others to get involved in Students Today Leaders Forever and pay it forward when they can! It's very rewarding! "STLF cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good the STLF can do."

Kari The MSUM 2012 Bus Core