Outstanding Tigers Award Ceremony 2008

On Sunday, March 30th, 2008 about 35 Tigers In Service volunteers and supporters gethered to celebrate the service work that was accomplished for the '07-'08 school year and kick off the first anual Civic Engagement Week. Certificates were handed out to all of the present volunteers and a few volunteers shared heart-warming stories about their experiences with Tigers In Service.

"It absolutely astounds me how much people can do with the right state of mind. This was my first T.I.S. trip and I was blown away by everyone there putting others before them. It was an amazing time with even more amazing people to work beside and build relationships that will last. I will remember it for a long time to come and can't wait to go back!"

~Junior, Brady Kentfield

Go check out what Brady is talking about at www.fhsu.edu/tigersinservice/08greensburg.shtml

"Tigers In Service has given me the tools and opportunities I need to utilize service and volunteering throughout the rest of my life. I know that I will continue to be a volunteer; not only because I choose to, but because I feel it's my duty. I will definitely incorporate various service learning activities in my future classroom because I feel so strongly about helping others. Tell your siblings and friends who are coming to FHSU about Tigers In Service. Spread the wealth...TIS is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at FHSU!"

~Senior, Terri Shriwise

We’re Making Service Cool!
By: Jennifer Meyer
Garden Plain, KS

New Orleans , Louisiana, Port Arthur, Texas,
Chicago , Illinois, Denver, Colorado.
Gulfport , Mississippi, San Diego, California,
Just to let you know, to these places we did go!

Many hours we’ve traveled,
In those comfy Fort Hays vans,
To reach out to those around us,
To lend a helping hand.

Some of you gave a week,
Some of us gave more,
To step outside the box called Hays,
And open other doors.

We were not disappointed by giving of our time
To those less fortunate than us.
We got more back than we had given,
And found service is a must.

Listen as I tell you more about our alternative break trips.
List of random words, emotions, inside jokes, thoughts, and fun,
Tell the story of our service,
And the memories we’ve won.

Places
Big vans, traffic jams, bad directions, wrong exits, toll booths, long drives, churches, tile floors, cots, early mornings, rain, snow, sleet, ice, guard rail, ditch, gas stations, mountains, rainbows.

People
Terri, Bill, Big Daddy, Shannon, Mark, George and Dixie, Rosco, Echo, Platinum, Mouse, Phrog, Ruby, and many more.

Fun
Surfing, pictures, mafia, awesome twin’s cooking, macaroni turned Kansas stew, fun birthday parties, word, you are, what it is, long talk, good memories, amazing friends, like family, walking tours, cranium, cards, gin rummy, pitch, jinga, fuse ball, chess, guitar, beach, my waffle house, my road, flexibility.

Service
FEMA trailers, blue tarps, raspers, squat, spange, cutting, gutting, smiles, hope, tin man with mardi gras beads, Habitat for Humanity, beach clean up, bike trail, green paint, shingle, shingle, shingle, nail, nail, nail, hammer, hammer, hammer, sidling, destruction, mess, sad, crying, Stand Up For Kids, outreach, broken trailer, 9 th ward, truck under house, reflection journal, tears, homeless, hurricanes, sheet rocking, spirit, hope, love, giving, sharing, life changing experience.

7 days…168 hours…10,080 minutes…604,800 seconds,
The time was not lost.
One week of lasting memories and friends,
What did it cost?

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches………….....$25.00.
Walkie-talkies for staying connected…………..$60.00.
Gas for the vans………………………………..$2400.00.
Time spent serving others……………………...Priceless!