NCRF announces its first Gina Battaglia Memorial Student Intern Scholarship winner, Sophia Morris of Austin, Texas, who follows in her mother’s professional footsteps. Now both share new bonds in their joint beloved careers. NCRF Trustee Rich Germosen, FAPR, RDR, CRR, announced the winner in a special video.
With plans to purchase a new professional laptop, Morris said, “I am honored to receive the Gina Battaglia Memorial Student Intern Scholarship. This award is the perfect example of the support and love within the court reporting community.”
On October 23, 2022, the lives of court reporter Stephanie Zeder Battaglia, RMR, CRR, her family, and friends were shattered as her daughter Gina passed away unexpectedly. After so many colleagues of Stephanie’s reeled from this great sadness, they pivoted to create a National Court Reporters Foundation Angel campaign, allowing Gina to become a first-year NCRF Memorial Angel.
Since so many NCRA members were generous, Germosen and Battaglia agreed to do more. To preserve Gina’s legacy, they proposed the idea of a memorial student scholarship. Foundation Trustees unanimously supported the idea of awarding $1,000 to a student court reporter to help navigate through the learning journey.
Touched by the generosity of her NCRA colleague donors and the selection of this first awardee, Battaglia said, “Sophia, Gina was always the biggest proponent of reaching for the stars. Following in your mother’s footsteps surely has you on a path in the right direction. Take this scholarship, use it well, and keep reaching for the sky. When you see a butterfly along the way, take heart knowing my Gina is giving you encouragement, like she did to so many around her. The world is yours!”
To contribute to the NCRF Gina Battaglia Memorial Student Intern Scholarship, text the keyword ginab to 41444 or donate online here.
