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 - Dan "Sparky" Knapp

Posted on 14-May-13 14:02. Comments (0)

In this video My Story, Sparky shares his journey with a group of STLF college participants in a Celebration City! Check it out from the audience's perspective.

My Story - Ken Chong

Posted on 30-Apr-13 14:49. Comments (0)

"A person is a culmination of all the experiences they've ever had which are tied to all the experiences in the world...Sometimes we forget how connected we all are and instead get caught up in our own worlds."

My Story - Ethan Boldt

Posted on 24-Feb-13 10:16. Comments (1)

"If you are someone who is reading these personal stories to address your apprehension that STLF might not be the organization for you, have no fear. I can say with confidence that, if you keep an open mind, the STLF community can become yours. It’s a community that changed my life for the better."

My Story - Erin, UMTC

Posted on 05-Mar-12 10:00. Comments (2)

"I can't lie and say I'm not nervous about leading about 37 of my peers on a Tour. I'm hoping I can give them the same awesome experience I had last year..."

My Story - Maryssa, ISU

Posted on 30-Jan-12 16:41. Comments (3)

Each summer STLF Chapter Core leaders choose a Word of the Year at our annual Summer Retreat. It is a word that unifies all of STLF and describes the year to come. This year the chosen word was Empower. Maryssa reflects on what this word means to her as we enter Tour Season!

My Story - Kari, MSUM

Posted on 19-Jan-12 13:33. Comments (0)

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 Stenger

My Story - Leah Martin, UMTC

Posted on 12-Dec-11 12:15. Comments (1)

At home, every single day we go to class or work, living, collaborating, and interacting with other people and we make an impact on them. But more often than not we don't take a moment to appreciate how another person or group of people has impacted us. STLF not only builds and shows love, but it speaks it too.

My Story - Amir Elabbady

Posted on 19-Oct-11 17:28. Comments (0)

Seven months ago Amir returned from his first Pay It Forward Tour... since then, he has been a member of STLF Camp Crew, lead a HS Pay It Forward Tour, and is in the process of planning his very own College Pay It Forward Tour!

My Story - Ashley Harris

Posted on 19-Sep-11 11:25. Comments (1)

"I shared with this student what STLF taught me: change takes time, but each small step counts. I also reminded them that each time we try and change something for the good even if we fail we will always succeed at making ourselves a stronger and better person."

My Story - Kiana Williams

Posted on 29-Jun-11 15:11. Comments (1)

"I could honestly write about each and every student on the trip and explain their impact and growth because it was just that great of a time. But I chose to just highlight a few. Leading this tour confirmed for me that I want to be a high school social worker. These students were truly phenomenal people with wonderful ambitions and potential."

My Story - Chelsea Stone

Posted on 02-Jun-11 10:50. Comments (2)

"That's really the best way to change the world: love your peers. Develop relationships that improve each other's lives. Live a life of kindness. Demonstrate trust. By loving each other, we give each other opportunities for untold impact."

My Story - Zhaoqing Chen

Posted on 16-May-11 12:13. Comments (6)

"Yesterday, I packed my suitcase. Everything reminded me of other 43 family members. I can’t believe that just 9 days I can get so much from other person. 9 days, the 43 family member taught me how to care about others, how to express your love to people, how to face the problem directly."

My Story - Rachel Bossingham

Posted on 21-Apr-11 13:50. Comments (3)

STLF encouraged me to be a leader. It has allowed me to discover my strengths and use them to better our society. This organization has brought me life-long relationships that shape who I am. I’m so thankful for STLF. I don’t know where I would be today without this experience.

My Story - Mathias Hieserich

Posted on 21-Mar-11 16:15. Comments (1)

Reposted from Mathias' blog upon returning from the 2011 Pay It Forward Tour that he lead departing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to Denver, CO with 39 peers. This is his story...

My Story - Karin Bashir

Posted on 15-Feb-11 15:19. Comments (1)

"Beyond the bonds formed outside of the group, the group itself turned into one big family. As an individual, I gained confidence as a leader and I left the trip with complete satisfaction in knowing that as leaders, we made a difference."

My Story - ISU Bus 1 Core

Posted on 02-Feb-11 00:08. Comments (2)

One of three bus cores from Illinois State University share what it means to be a core and their excitement for the upcoming tour. In a few short weeks they will lead their peers on a Pay It Forward tour to Dallas, TX where they will be one of eight buses--over 300 young people--making an IMPACT on those around them.

My Story - ISU Bus 2 Core

Posted on 27-Jan-11 17:07. Comments (2)

One of three bus cores from Illinois State University recount their journey with STLF and the experiences that brought them together. In 5 short weeks they will lead 40 peers on a Pay It Forward tour to Dallas, TX where they will meet up with seven other buses of college students from around the country.

My Story - Audry Pallas

Posted on 20-Dec-10 13:55. Comments (3)

We stood in silence for a while, before he gave me the biggest hug and blinking back tears said, “You know you’re doing so much more than painting rooms, this is what we need—what we all need.” He was exactly right...

My Story - October Service Partners

Posted on 08-Nov-10 14:17. Comments (2)

"The work they did in and around the Boys & Girls Club was stellar and could not have been accomplished without their capable and willing hands and hearts!"

My Story - Brita Sundberg

Posted on 12-Oct-10 17:40. Comments (0)

"The Tour made me a stronger person. It made me understand and realize what others go through. It also made me feel satisfied with who I am and that I should never have to change to please someone else. But, most of all, the Tour made me a better leader."

My Story - Katlyn Ash

Posted on 27-Sep-10 13:58. Comments (2)

"I had never been to a summer camp before, let alone away from my whole family for a week. It was a new thing to look forward to. Before I knew it, it was July 11th and it was time to go to Chicago to get on the bus that would take us to Camp."

My Story - Calvin Shirley

Posted on 16-Sep-10 14:19. Comments (1)

"STLF has made such an impact on me… It's taught me so much… to be more open to people, and to just be myself! I've built up relationships that I can't even begin to describe, met some of the most wonderful people ever, and experienced the time of my life."

My Story - Mariah Rud

Posted on 21-Jul-10 13:53. Comments (2)

"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 (4)

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....

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