Get Connected/My Stories »

Everyone has a story to tell. Here is a collection of stories related to STLF submitted by students, parents, supporters, partners, and more. Explore the stories, post comments, and submit one of your own to be posted soon! Thanks for reading!

My Story - Mariah Rud

Posted on 21-Jul-10 13:53. Comments (1)

"Before I went on my first trip I was quiet and reserved, by the end of my third trip I was more outgoing and willing to step out of my comfort zone. I would never have led a successful campaign for student council president without the skills I learned through STLF."

My Story - Pajnucci Vue

Posted on 30-Jun-10 10:01. Comments (2)

I’ve been on two High School Pay It Forward Tours and was privileged to serve as a leader on two Middle School Pay It Forward tours. On these Tours, I see how big of an impact youth can make in communities and I wholeheartedly believe that these Tours are life changing.

My Story - South Elgin Students

Posted on 13-Apr-10 14:17. Comments (1)

Together they reflected on the history of STLF at South Elgin, its future, and how they will transition it to a new group of students. It is inspiring to see the ownership and drive that these students brought to the table....

My Story - Dustin Daily

Posted on 30-Mar-10 13:13. Comments (2)

I believe it as I look at each one of my bus mates, and the possibilities and potential that each one of them hold. I am not scared for the future. I look forward to seeing the accomplishments that we can all make...

My Story - Megan Nitschke

Posted on 11-Mar-10 19:07. Comments (2)

After one day on my first PIF, I knew my next step was to attempt to take on a leadership role as a bus core member... I’ve learned so much about myself and those around me as well as the impact every individual has on the positive change in this world.

My Story - Hallie Martin

Posted on 22-Feb-10 14:49. Comments (0)

For a long time before working with STLF, I had heard from many people all the amazing things that students experienced on Pay It Forward Tours. After all the hype I heard, I was sure STLF was something I wanted to be a part of....

My Story - Jesse White

Posted on 16-Feb-10 14:47. Comments (0)

I can still remember the first day I had ever heard of STLF. It was a warm autumn day at Minnesota State University Moorhead and there was a bit of commotion on the campus mall. Dragon Fest was in full swing and many of the campus organizations were recruiting their hearts out for more members....

My Story - Alex Griep

Posted on 04-Feb-10 14:57. Comments (0)

This was the first day that I felt included in the group. Everyone for the rest of the day was talking about the crazy guy that tempted the gods of hypothermia just to get a couple pieces of trash...

My Story - Keni Zenner

Posted on 01-Feb-10 12:48. Comments (0)

Our bus core told us to team up with one of the regular volunteers at the Benton, Arkansas Habitat for Humanity home. I was immediately drawn to an older man with a shy smile and a little black beret. He told me his name was Marvin. I asked him what I could do to help...

My Story - Craig Kyllo

Posted on 21-Jan-10 11:28. Comments (2)

The friends I met on this tour were nothing short of amazing. I made so many new friends that I feel that I need more time with them all! I met different assortments of people, but they all seemed kind as could be...

My Story - Abby Huebsch

Posted on 18-Jan-10 08:51. Comments (0)

Throughout my high school career, STLF gave me countless opportunities, whether it was attending leadership camp, going on Pay it Forward Tours, working with my school to plan Pay it Forward Days, or having the chance to be on the Board of Directors...

My Story - NDSU Dallas Core

Posted on 13-Jan-10 13:37. Comments (0)

We are all really excited to get more of our planning complete. With the tour quickly approaching, the nerves are beginning to set in. We are hoping for a smooth tour and to accomplish that we need to clear up all the major and minor details with hopes that everything falls into place nicely...

My Story - Kathleen Kerber

Posted on 08-Jan-10 14:18. Comments (0)

Now I am experiencing from the other end! I am on the bus core for Morris and I am, with three other people are planning an adventure for 35 new people, working to help create wonderful experiences for the new group of people!

My Story - Eric Larsen

Posted on 08-Dec-09 11:31. Comments (0)

My friends through STLF have taken me so many places- whether it was to Singapore for a 5 week stay with a fellow PIF Tour participant, across the country on crazy, far-fetched road trips with friends from the U of M chapter, or to Uganda with more bus buddies from St. Thomas...

My Story - Jake Winfield

Posted on 10-Nov-09 13:47. Comments (2)

I now have hope and believe that young people can and will change the world. The best part about all of this is that my first college tour is still to come in February 2010. I cannot wait to see what the future holds after I experience being a participant on a Pay It Forward Tour...

My Story - Caleb Skipper

Posted on 29-Oct-09 17:10. Comments (0)

I wanted to let you all know how much STLF has meant to me in the past and that it is a huge reason I am here in Ethiopia now. Through STLF...I realized just how much I desired to serve, and it strenghened the engrained compassion I have for people...

My Story - Greg Schockelt

Posted on 14-Sep-09 14:07. Comments (0)

This is a very exciting time here out west, and it all started because one of the most amazing people I have ever met came to a camp and simply told us a story. This truly is a unique organization in that it is run by students for students, there really is nothing like it...

My Story - Joy McBrien

Posted on 08-Sep-09 13:10. Comments (0)

For one month this summer, I decided to pay it forward among some of the world’s poorest in Chimbote, Peru...STLF has really been my saving grace since I returned; not everyone understands the value of community service and the life-changing impact it can have!

My Story - Ellie Thorstad

Posted on 25-Aug-09 16:42. Comments (1)

Starting at the U of M was very intimidating for me. I was in a new world, in over my head, and had heard many times that the easiest way to make Minnesota home was to get involved and meet new people through shared interests...

My Story - Ali & Kevin (Part 2)

Posted on 17-Aug-09 08:35. Comments (2)

STLF's network continues to grow with exciting Alumni stories. Ali Fadlallah and Kevin Parkinson are no exceptions! The following is their story as recent STLF graduates who are currently training at Teach For America’s summer training program known as “Institute:”. Read this post for Ali's story, or check out the previous post for Kevin's story from last week.

My Story - Ali & Kevin (Part 1)

Posted on 10-Aug-09 09:41. Comments (2)

STLF's network continues to grow with exciting Alumni stories. Ali Fadlallah and Kevin Parkinson are no exceptions! The following is their story as recent STLF graduates who are currently training at Teach For America’s summer training program known as “Institute:”. Read this post for Kevin's story, and be sure to check back next week for Ali's.

My Story - Ben Nicholas

Posted on 03-Aug-09 13:51. Comments (1)

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 to do so many things that I thought would be possible...

My Story - Ted Shibata

Posted on 21-Jul-09 14:00. Comments (3)

It wasn't until the end of my second Pay it Forward Tour that I considered taking a leadership role in an organization that has given me so much. It was soon after that I received an opportunity to take part in becoming a crew member for the STLF Summer Camp and more specifically, the Gap Camp...

My Story - Sunny Kim

Posted on 14-Jul-09 10:27. Comments (2)

Through STLF, I gained friends, memories, leadership, and clear goal. All those things are the most precious ones for me. If I had not known that STLF existed, my life would have been less happy...

My Story - Josh, NDSU Alum

Posted on 22-Jun-09 13:16. Comments (3)

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...

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