Applications open May 1 for two grants being offered through the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF). The Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant and the Monyeen Black Memorial Grant are open to new professionals in their first two years of employment who have earned the RSR or RPR certification. A total of four awards of $2,000 each are available. The application deadline for both grants is June 13.
Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant
This grant honors the memory of NCRA member Michelle Grimes, a dedicated stenographer from Illinois and member of the 100-day practice group on Facebook led by Rich Germosen, FAPR, RDR, CRR, of North Brunswick, N.J. This award was also created in honor of Germosen receiving his FAPR distinction in 2022 through a fundraiser hosted by Allie Hall, RDR, CRR, from Tulsa, Okla., and many other of his colleagues.
The 2024 Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant winner was McKalie Bellew, RPR, from Florence, Ariz. As a self-taught, eager-to-learn-more typist at an early age, Bellew knew typing was something that she actually enjoyed. “Truthfully, it took about a year in school before I realized that a career in stenographic court reporting was for me,” she said. “I wasn’t interested, but I was doing it. Knowing what the dropout rate for this profession was, I pushed myself as a single mom to keep going because at least I was one of few that had this skill and understood the concept of stenographic shorthand.”
Two grants of $2,000 each will be awarded. Applicants must have earned an RSR or RPR, be an NCRA member, provide a letter of recommendation, and submit an essay on the topic: “Explain how you believe the service of stenographic court reporting contributes to fair trials, equality, justice, and other legal events.” Full grant requirements and an application can be foundon the grant web page.
Monyeen Black Memorial Grant
This grant honors the memory of Monyeen Black, a passionate stenographer and beloved member of Germosen’s practice group, who passed away in January 2021. A fundraiser launched in her memory continues to support aspiring professionals.
The 2024 Monyeen Black Memorial Grant winners were Jacey Samic, RPR, from Doylestown, Ohio, and Sara Sapp, RSR, from Collinsville, Ill . Samic was seeking a career that would provide a sense of fulfillment. “Making the commitment of time and effort to practice steno and complete the program was a huge decision,” said Samic. “I was also interested in this way of being able to serve the justice system and/or hopefully the deaf community as well. [I hope] to branch out into CART work which has always been my goal.”
Fascinated and captivated by the legal and justice system, Sapp said, “I ended up falling face-first into the legal field. I worked as a criminal and traffic clerk and then as a legal assistant for the public defender’s office. The pursuit of justice was something I started feeling strongly about. It was inspiring to me how our attorneys contributed to the fight for fairness in our system. I knew I was not suited to being an attorney myself, but I knew there had to be a place for me here.”
As part of the submission process, applicants will be required to submit an essay on the topic: “How, when, and why did you realize that a career in stenographic court reporting or captioning was right for you? Please explain your practice regimen and how you develop your skills.” Applications must also hold an RSR or RPR, be an NCRA member, and submit a letter of recommendation. Full grant requirements and an application can be found on the grant web page.
NCRF New Professionals Grant
An additional New Professionals Grant is available for working court reporters or captioners in their first year out of school. The grant helps support start-up expenses such as purchasing software and earning credentials. The deadline is June 6. This grant will have two $4,000 awards and two $2,000 awards. Learn more and apply.
View all NCRF scholarships and grants.
For additional information about these and other scholarships and grants, contact Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
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