If you have ever taken a ride on an APU trolley, you may have been lucky enough to go into the whole new world that is offered by the red trolley. If you are a frequent traveler on this trolley, you are probably familiar with the person that is Tina. Yet, do you actually know the story and heart behind this amazing person that has become the face of the APU trolley system?
I remember the first time I road the red trolley, being welcomed to APU by Tina and literally feeling like this school was magic.
And for anyone else who has ridden the trolley in the last eight years, you know the name Tina. The red trolley. The memorable trolley. The only trolley on the APU app and I don't think it's a coincidence.
After driving for a public school district, Tina applied to be a driver at APU, as her son was applying to be a student here. She knew that it was God ordained when the doors quickly opened to the university that felt like heaven on earth. When she first saw the students, she was amazed at how polite and respectful they were. Now that she's been here for quite some time, she says that this impression has only been heightened. She believes that APU students are different, in the way that they are loving people who understand what it means to follow the Lord.
Her love for APU and its' students, is exemplified by her statement, "If I could take my house and put it right in the middle of APU, I would."
When asked what her favorite part of being the famous trolley driver is, she quickly responded the students. Throughout her day as she makes countless trips from East to West to Segerstrom to the Soccer Fields and back to East, she finds entertainment in the conversations that she gets to have with students. She loves hearing their stories...including their family life, their educational life and their career goals. As a frequent driver on Tina's trolley, I cannot count how many conversations I've had with Tina about everything -- from work to school to family. I believe she hopes that each student can say the same thing. She says that without students talking to her, her job would be boring and have no impact.
Tina hopes that the impact that she has made on these college students has made a difference in their lives. She hopes that students will know that she is someone they can turn to in times of trouble and someone that is always willing to lend an open ear to anyone in the APU community.
However, this is not just words that Tina says, her actions truly scream of her love for those that may believe they are just passengers accepting another ride.
As she seeks to have an impact on the lives of her passengers, she has seen this in the way that the students have responded to her. Last year, one of the football players requested her to come down on the field with him on Senior night to participate in the moment, alongside his mother. Each Spring when graduation rolls around, Tina looks forward to sharing her love for her riders with their parents. As a parent, she knows how important it is to hear people tell her that her children are exceptional human beings so she is not hesitant to tell other parents when she sees this. However, what she may not realize, is that often times her motherly nature comes into the interactions that she has with her riders.
There have been personal moments in my life where I have felt like the world is crashing down on me, and Tina is right there with an open ear and a smile, awaiting the stories that I will tell her. When students are sick, Tina checks on them and makes sure that they are okay. When students are attempting to find their direction, Tina assists in guiding them.
Although Tina is married, with three kids, a daughter in law, and a grandson, it seems like her "family" extends much deeper than this.
Tina, thank you so much for all that you do for this community. It would not be APU without you.
