The Christine Phipps Family Foundation just awarded 10 student scholarships, part of a five-year pledge to support students with travel expenses to attend NCRA Conference & Expos. Phipps contacted the first-ever awardees to let them know they were each selected to receive a $1,000 award processed through the National Court Reporters Foundation.
The nonprofit’s founder, Christine Phipps, RPR, is the former owner of Phipps Reporting which was based in West Palm Beach, Fla. She also served as the 2019-2020 NCRA President.
Hardship and pressure were part of Phipps’s early years as a court reporter. While working full time and raising her children single-handedly, she decided to give back by offering 10 annual awards to help students attend Conference who otherwise could not have.
“I became a court reporter in 1994,” she said. “At that time I was a single mom, recently divorced, with two children. Times were tough. I remember in the early days the only way you could stay connected with your peers was through networking. Over time [court reporting] led me into so much more. Going to convention was a game changer. It is inspiring to see what I call the Olympians.”
The recipients sent their thanks to her in a reply email:
Debra Phillips, Chicago, Ill., attending South Suburban College, Oak Forest, Ill.
“I would like to thank you for selecting me to be one of the first recipients of the Christine Phipps Family Foundation Travel Scholarship. This scholarship means a great deal to me because I will be able to attend my first NCRA Conference without having to stress about paying for the trip. I will be able to enjoy the Conference fully. I am very excited about meeting you and all the other wonderful professionals who keep the court reporting profession moving forward. I greatly appreciate this opportunity, and I will do my best to pay it forward.”
Nasren Miah, Queens, N.Y, attending Plaza College, Forest Hills, N.Y.
“Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It’s so inspiring to know that you once started in a similar position as me and went on to have such a fulfilling career. I’ve been feeling a bit in a rut lately and feel a little stuck at the 180 speed, but now I feel so much more inspired and motivated to keep going, especially after hearing your story! I cannot thank you enough for extending these opportunities for students to be able to succeed and also go on to have fulfilling careers as well. I’m so excited to start my journey as a court reporter and hope that I can help and motivate students just like you are doing for us. I can’t wait to meet you and thank you in person!”
Ann Pasion, Calgary, Canada, attending Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
“Thanks so much, and I am happy to accept your Christine Phipps Family Foundation Travel Scholarship. I’m so honored as this will help so much with attending the Conference in August. I’m excited to meet reporters from all over and have the opportunity to test in person for my RPR credentials.”
Baylee Richards, Orange, Texas, attending Lamar State College Orange, Orange, Texas
“I am so excited to receive this travel scholarship for the NCRA Conference. While I am at the end of my school journey, attending this Conference as a student will be a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and get the motivation I need to push through the end of school and conquer my state test. Receiving this scholarship guarantees my attendance for the Conference so that I am able to fund my travel arrangements. I am thrilled for this awesome opportunity!”
Liane Hatch, Whispering Pines, N.C., attending College of Court Reporting, Valparaiso, Ind.
“I feel incredibly honored to be among the first recipients of the Christine Phipps Family Foundation Travel Scholarship. Attending court reporting school, especially online, can be such a uniquely isolating experience, so there’s nothing quite as motivating and encouraging as being in a room full of people who get it — professionals who have been there, who have endured through the same struggles, and who have come out the other side victorious. Receiving this award eases a huge burden for myself and my family, and it will allow me to more fully immerse myself in all that the Conference has to offer. Never in my life have I been part of a more supportive community, and this scholarship is just one manifestation of that. I accept this scholarship opportunity knowing that someday it will be my turn to give back, and when that day comes it will be my absolute privilege to do so.
“Thank you again! I can’t wait to meet you and the other professionals who have made this possible for me. I’m still completely stunned!”
Kelly Cullen, Novato, Calif., attending Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting
“I hope you are aware of the immense gratitude I have. I have been in shock and excited all weekend! “
Tyffiney Moser, Henderson, Nev., attending Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City, Okla.
“Throughout my court reporting school journey, I have been in awe of the number of reporters willing to support and guide students in every way possible. I am beyond grateful to have chosen an amazing profession where so many are willing to give back. We are such a small group of individuals, and our peers are the only ones who can really understand the struggles of court reporting school. I am lucky to have met the best cheerleaders, and I can’t wait to be in a position to give back myself. Thank you so much, Christine Phipps and The Christine Phipps Family Foundation. I am truly honored to be one of the first students to receive this award. See you at the Conference!”
Delainey Dutch, Fayetteville, N.C., attending Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting
“I am so grateful for winning the first-ever Travel Scholarship from the Christine Phipps Family Foundation. The direct impacts scholarships like these have is so crucial to us students out there doing everything we can to get through school. For myself, I have used up all I had set aside for start-up costs buying my equipment to be ready to work as soon as I finish school, as I am on the cusp of graduating. My family would have had to sacrifice and save up in order for me to attend this Conference. The burden the scholarship has just taken off of us is immense. It also reinvigorates my spirit and boosts me to cross the finish line of school. Again, thank you so very much for this opportunity.”
Anna Bubke, Kingsley, Iowa, attending Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, Iowa
“Thank you very much for selecting me as a recipient of your family scholarship. I am honored to be selected. “
Kristi Gresham, Plainview Texas, graduate of Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting
Thank you NCRF for this scholarship opportunity. There is nothing more encouraging than being surrounded by passionate professionals who love what they do and want nothing more than for you to join them. The NCRA Conference is a one-of-a-kind learning and networking event that any student or professional would be lucky to attend, and NCRF has provided me with an incredible opportunity to do just that. I believe that court reporting is on the rise and organizations like NCRF are paving the way for students and new professionals to become pillars of this profession.
