I want to thank one and all for your vote of confidence, and at the same time let you know that I am honored to serve again as your President for this upcoming year.
When I reflect over the last year serving in this role, I can’t help but be proud of our accomplishments as an organization. We have faced many battles and persevered through some rough waters, all thanks to our membership and your Board. Through it all we have emerged as an organization stronger than ever.
With that being said, please be aware and know that we are continuing to face the uphill battle with the Administrative Office of The Courts (AOC) and the use of electronic recording in Tennessee. There is no doubt that ER is in full force and effect and will certainly impact our profession. As of today’s date, there has been an ER class in Nashville, with Memphis the next stop. TCRA will be working closely with NCRA in learning how other states have dealt with this same issue. We aren’t sure of the direction the association should or will take at this point, but it is in the forefront of our efforts and time. TCRA definitely needs to be part of the solution.
I want to give a big shout out to our Convention Committee this past year. For those of you who were able to attend the annual convention, I’m sure that you can attest to what a wonderful event it was. In addition to the great seminars and wonderful networking opportunities, there was a lot of fun had by all. The comraderies among the attendees was very positive and uplifting. Your new Convention Committee is already hard at work on planning our next convention, with this year being even more successful and well attended.
If you are able and you are looking for a way to serve and give back for the good of your profession, then we have something for you. TCRA will be a vendor at the upcoming Tennessee School Counselor Convention from September 23rd through the 25th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Murfreesboro. There will be guidance counselors from across the state attending. This will be a good time to share our profession so that they can recommend it to their students. If you are interested in working the booth during the convention, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I’m also very pleased to report that Tennessee is well represented at the national level this year. We have three TCRA members currently serving on the board of NCRA. Keith Lemons and Karyn Menck are serving as directors, and Max Curry is serving his role as President-Elect. Way to represent our state, and TCRA is very proud of their dedication to our profession.
As a major highlight, one of our TCRA members and Convention Committee member, Patricia Nilsen of Alpha Reporting, placed second in the NCRA speed contest. Congrats, Patricia!! This is just another plaque to add to your already many accomplishments as a talented court reporter.
In closing, a wise person once said, “Our future depends on what we do today.” I want to encourage you all to get out there and make a difference. If we all contributed in some small way, the future of our profession will continue to make its mark. Our future depends on it.
Dana Webb, President TCRA 2018-2019
2018 Student Scholarship Essay Winner
Cristine Kuo, Essay Winner
Each year TCRA sponsors a scholarship for court reporting students. Students may participate in the program by writing a short essay. The student scholarships are awarded to deserving students each year at our Annual Convention. This year we had some great essays submitted from several students. It is so inspiring to read their essays and to hear the passion and enthusiasm in their words.
Cristine Kuo is our 2018 recipient of the Tiffany Brosemer Student Scholarship Essay Contest. Congratulations, Cristine!
Read Cristine's essay below.
Tiffany Brosemer Student Scholarship Fund Essay
Submitted by: Cristine Kuo
If you ask a child, whether they are in middle or high school, what they want to be when they grow up, the usual response is, “I want to be a teacher! I want to be a lawyer! I want to be a doctor!” Well, if you asked me that question my response is, “I have no stinkin’ idea what I want to be. Both of my parents are restaurant owners, so I suppose that’s what I’m going to become, a restaurant owner.”
Luckily for me, my high school invited every 10th grader to attend a career fair. I kept my mind open for options hoping something will catch my eye and that’s when I saw, a woman sitting so straight and poised, with a business attire on. She seems so happy and focused. I walked up to her and watched her “type” away on some sort of keyboard. Someone shouted, “How are you typing all of those words so quickly? What is that machine called?”
The woman was very kind and answered all our questions and told us that she was a court reporter and her machine was called a steno machine. She was not typing but writing on her machine. I was so intrigued. I think I found my calling.
I graduated high school and went on to receive my degree in English, but in the back of my mind I still had a lingering thought of wanting to become a court reporter. I contacted Brown College of Court Reporting located in Atlanta, GA. Two and half years into school, here I am now, still wanting to become a court reporter. It’s taking some time, but I know I will get there eventually.