2011 Leland High School Pay It Forward Tour

Welcome to Leland, Mississippi! Leland, Mississippi is a small agricultural community located 2 hours from the closest Best Buy and 4 hours from the closest Chipotle.

We’ve got a lot that we’re proud of here in Leland. We’re in the heart of blues country, we cook the best fried food, and we’re home to Kermit the Frog - but we also have our fair share of challenges. According to the 2008 United States Census, Leland’s per capita income is under $12,000 – that’s amongst the lowest in the entire United States. It means that for certain parts of the year, our students live without basic amenities such as heat, water or electricity – and if the school didn’t provide breakfast and lunch, many of our students would go all day with just one meal. Still, our students continue to impress us on a daily basis.

For spring break 2010, Leland High School was the first school in the state of Mississippi to participate in a Pay It Forward Tour. The Pay It Forward Tour is a community service-based road trip hosted by a national not-for-profit organization called Students Today, Leaders Forever – or STLF. At each stop of the Tour, participants perform a different community service project. The Tour combines service, a college visit, tourism, reflection, and training in leadership, teambuilding, and diversity.

STUDENT TESTIMONY: Because of the Tour, I learned that we are blessed beyond measure and we really don’t realize it.

STUDENT TESTIMONY: I learned how to become a leader instead of a follower. I learned how to give back to the communities and stay optimistic.

STUDENT TESTIMONY: I want to go on the tour again because I feel as if there is still more for me to do. Playing games is okay but being with friends and helping others feels so much better.

That’s why we’re kicking off a $17,000 national campaign in order to help sustain and expand this program to the next level. Last year we received individual donations as small as $1 and as large as $1,400. We were also supported by businesses, community organization, student organizations, and governmental agencies.

We know that with YOUR help, we can reach our ambitious Big Goal of raising $17,000. Donations of any size will help alter the life trajectory of students from Leland High School. Thank you so much for your support, or as we say in STLF, “YEAH BUDDY!”