Feb. 1 marks the start for nominations and applications to begin being accepted by NCRA for several recognition awards and student scholarships. Each year NCRA offers members several scholarships and awards to bring attention to those who are contributing to the profession in important ways. For more information, see the list below. The deadline to submit a nomination or application is March 15, so hurry!
Consider nominating individuals for these special opportunities:
CASE scholarships: Five scholarships are available from the Council on Approved Student Education (CASE). Students attending an NCRA-approved court reporting program and writing between 140 and 180 wpm are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. Teachers and mentors, let them know that you see their potential. The nomination period closes March 15.
Lisa Johnson, a student at Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., won the CASE scholarship for $1,500 in 2020. She said the award meant a great deal to her and added, “It is wonderful to be a part of a community filled with encouraging, supportive, and intelligent individuals who strive to keep the profession strong and full of integrity.” Read more about what other recipients had to say about winning a CASE scholarship.
NCRA A to Z® scholarships: Up to 10 students will receive a $500 scholarship. Qualified applicants must have completed the NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program as well as pass a skills test writing between 60 and 100 wpm, among other eligibility requirements. Nominations close March 15.
Sarah Richmond of Plaza College in Forest Hills, N.Y., had this to say about winning one of the NCRA A to Z scholarships in 2020, “Thank you so much for the surprising good news! I am happy and honored to accept the scholarship. I owe my advisor, Karen Santucci, a big thank you for encouraging me to apply.” Read more about what other recipients had to say about participating in the A to Z program and winning a scholarship.
Stenograph Milton H. Wright Memorial Scholarship: The application deadline for the Stenograph Milton H. Wright Memorial Scholarship has been extended to March 1. Students from NCRA-approved reporter education programs are encouraged to apply for the merit-based two-year award, which is worth up to $5,000 per year and will include use of a student writer and software.
CASE Award of Excellence: This special award is for a court reporting instructor. Was there someone special who inspired you, who got you through the ups, downs, and plateaus of your court reporting classes? If your teacher was an incredible influence in you getting started, now is the time to say thank you by nominating that special someone for the CASE Award of Excellence. Nominations close March 15.
Recipient of the 2020 CASE Award of Excellence Melissa Lee, CRI, an instructor at the College of Court Reporting in Valparaiso, Ind., had this to say about earning the award, “It is a true honor to have been nominated for, let alone having won, the CASE Educator of the Year award. It means that my hard work is making a difference in the lives of my students. I wish that every instructor who is working hard to inspire their students could get this award as well because it keeps you motivated, even more than you already are. We have some amazing educators in the court reporting community, and I am certainly blessed to work among many of them at the College of Court Reporting.” Read more about what Lee had to say about earning the honor of the 2020 CASE Educator of the Year.
Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters: If you know a dedicated court reporter or captioner who has contributed to the profession in a big way over the years, nominate that person as a Fellow. Candidates must be active practitioners in the field and have at least 10 years of experience. Criteria for nomination include the publication of important papers, legislative or creative contributions to the field, and service on committees or boards. Nominations close March 15.
NCRA’s Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is the highest honor NCRA can bestow on a member. It recognizes the distinguished work and service by an individual member for the benefit of the court reporting profession, including service to NCRA as a member, a committee member, a director, or an officer of the association. Other displays of distinguished work include contributing to the JCR or service at a state court reporters association or in the field of public relations or public affairs. Award winners are recognized at the NCRA Conference & Expo. Nominations close March 15.
