My Story/high-school

My Story - Susie Suwalski

Susie Suwalski - STLF Alum
University of Iowa

I was reading the “My Story”  Ali Fadlallah enclosed in the envelope with the recent donation letter, and I had this absolutely wonderful moment. I remembered how many of us there are who have been touched by this STLF phenomena, and whose lives have taken such powerful turns because of it.

I owe so much to this organization. On my very first Tour it ignited a spirit in me that has been burning ever since. It’s the part of me that pushes myself to keep going when Iwant to give up, or believes in something so fiercely when everyone else doubts. It’s the part of me that sees a story in every person and place and a dream in every sparkle that flickers in someone’s eye.

This year I accepted my first real adult, “grown up” job and I have no doubts that I owe that to STLF and the person it encouraged me to become. STLF did not turn me into anything, but rather revealed in me the potential I always had.

After you lead a Pay It Forward Tour there’s this amazing moment where you feel like you can do anything. And then as you move away from the experience and forward into your life, and you realize that you actually can.

I’m the youngest person in my department and possibly division. I have little “professional” experience, but when I sat down for my interview I had stories to tell. I got the famous question, “What is S-T-L-F?” and my eyes lit up. I couldn’t wait to talk about the people and experiences that had brought me to this moment, that had given me the courage to go after my dreams.

After hearing about so many powerful moments and life altering memories, the man who was interviewing me looked genuinely surprised. He didn’t expect so much life experience to come from someone so young.

Today I’m a Project Coordinator on the Store Transition Team at the Walgreens Corporate Office. I help transition acquisition sites into fully operating Walgreens. I work with people decades older than me and every day I show them what young people are capable of. I’ve already help to restructure procedures in our department and have coordinated multiple teams to work together more effectively.

Every day I think about STLF. I look at pictures from my first PIF tours, pinned on my cubicle wall and I remember what I have learned. I know what it’s like to have a goal so big that it felt unattainable and then watch it become a reality. I know what it’s like to work with people on a project you truly care about and to have moments where you can’t see eye to eye. I know what it’s like to sacrifice time, money, energy, in the name of something bigger than yourself. To say “thank you” will never be enough to convey what I feel in my heart for this organization.

Everyone in this world has gifts and if everyone had STLF to help them believe in themselves, more of these gifts could be shared and realized. I want to live in a world where everyone knows that the sky is the limit and that there isn’t a dream that can’t come true with STLF in this world.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of welcoming a High School Pay It Forward Tour into my church for the evening. As I was directing kids where to go and where everything was, I remember thinking that I had come full circle. This organization is a relationship that never ends because it is tied to our hearts. I loved being a part of their journey, knowing I could help provide one of the most meaningful experiences of my life to someone else.

I want to say thank you, to anyone who has ever volunteered their time or money to ensure volunteered their time ormoney to ensure that this organization, this movement continues. I don’t know if we will ever be able to measure the amount of lives touched by this idea, but that isn’t the point. It’s just knowing that there are people out there who care about the future who are going to move this world forward, and who will take the time to encourage others to join them.

I believe in this organization with all of my heart and it will always have my support.  

Forever and Always,  

Susie Suwalski  

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