Today@Sam Article

Senior, Sammy Winner Takes Up Challenge To Be 'More Than A Number'

May 15, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Tammy Parrett

Senior education major Barbi Stimac came to SHSU with a determination to always help her fellow man. In accepting the challenge to live up to the model of service set by her parents, Stimac has earned a 2015 Sammy Award. —Photo by Brian Blalock

The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius is credited with saying, “I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.”

In other words, one will benefit more from taking part in an activity, and thereby giving themselves a better understanding of how they can accomplish their goals, rather than hearing or seeing another do it. 

To senior Barbi Stimac, however, this proverb has another meaning.

“I must live outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself and endure in order to grow academically, mentally, and spiritually,” she said.

Her family instilled her with strong ideals and a determination to always help her fellow man. When she came to Sam Houston State University, where she majors in interdisciplinary studies, with a minor in special education, she took up a personal challenge to do just that. 

Stimac credits her drive and passion for serving others to her support system: her family, faith, and the faculty of the College of Education, who have motivated her to go above and beyond the call of duty to make the most of her college experience.

“I could simply choose to go to class, complete the assignments receive my grades and graduate, but then I wouldn’t have learned what it means to find joy in giving myself to others or instilling values of faith and discipline in future generations,” she said. 

Throughout her time at Sam Houston, Stimac has been involved in many different organizations and honor societies on campus, including the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College, the Student Alumni Association, the Crime Victims Service Alliance, and Campus Crusaders for Christ. 

As an ambassador for the College of Education, she introduces potential students to the university and provides them with a more narrow view of the college and an idea of what their experience will be like. Her activities recently earned her the 2015 Sammy Award for the College of Education.

“Being a COE ambassador fills me with a sense of pride for my university,” she said. “You might even say I bleed orange, because I want to share my love of SHSU with everyone I know, especially if they’re interested in becoming a teacher because we have the best teacher preparation program.”

That’s how she feels about SHSU now, but it wasn’t always that way.

“I definitely wasn’t headed here,” she said of her decision to attend SHSU. “(But) I visited campus and it wasn’t too big or too small, and it felt like home. I had so many people tell me that here, you’re more than a number. You actually know your professors and they will do whatever it takes to help you succeed.”

At that point, Stimac says she was sold on the university.

“I definitely don’t regret my decision to come here at all,” she said. “I absolutely love it here. The culture on our campus is so service-oriented and it’s great to see everyone work together to make the university and the community a better place.”

In addition to the numerous student leadership positions she has held at SHSU, Stimac has also managed to maintain a position at the Huntsville YMCA as a site director, where she acts as a afterschool counselor, creates lesson plans, manages the staff, develops relationships with students and parents, and ensures that the site is safe and engaging for students at all times.

“As a first-generation college student, I haven’t always had someone to guide me through the college years, so through my leadership roles I have been able to touch present and future students and be the role model that they need,” she said.

Although she has been involved in a great number of organizations in her time at SHSU, none have touched her heart in the way that Project Sunshine has.

Project Sunshine is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing recreational, educational and social programming to children and adults with disabilities and special needs. 

“Our mission is to spread sunshine to a cloudy day and restore a sense of normalcy to individuals facing these challenges,” she said.

It was through this program that she met a man who would forever change her life. She was paired with her buddy Daniel, a 30-year-old man with special needs.

“He’s the one of the oldest members in our chapter, but he has such a giving heart and a generous nature,” Stimac said. “He lives at home with his mother and younger brother who also has special needs, and he is simply one of those people who deserve the entire world.”

She says that Daniel shared his story and many painful memories with her. She learned how his teachers were unaware of how to work with a student with special needs, and he felt his teachers were insensitive to his needs.

“I wish to be a voice for those students who are experiencing what Daniel had to go through and who need individualized support and assistance in order to be successful,” she said.

Between her involvement in student organizations, student teaching, maintaining good grades, and holding multiple part-time jobs, Stimac had to overcome many challenges and learn skills that will benefit her not only in her teaching career, but also her personal life.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is time management,” she said. “I’ve learned to recognize when I’m stretching myself too thin, and sometimes I need to step back and reassess. I know when I’m too overwhelmed, so I’ll know whether or not I’ll be able to give something my all and if I need to maybe not go after that one.

“I’ve also learned to be flexible to the needs of others, maintain a positive attitude, follow through on my commitments, manage a staff, foster relationships with students and parents, and build confidence in my students and myself as an educator.”

Stimac will graduate in December, and she looks forward to the endless opportunities she will have to continue her life of service.

“I’m not sure where this path will lead to next, but I wouldn’t mind serving in the Peace Corps or something like that,” she said. “I want a broader view of the world. Some people take education for granted, but there are kids who would die to have that type of education.”

Ultimately, she would like to either work in education reform to serve as an ambassador for the special needs community or become a college professor, helping future teachers become the educators that future generations will need. 

No matter where her path leads her, she knows that she would not be the leader that she is today without those who inspired her during her time at Sam Houston State University.

“I am a Bearkat, and a Bearkat lives her life to serve others at all times.”

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