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Greetings, Friends & Colleagues:

My hope is that you have had a terrific summer filled with new opportunities, both at work and in the home, time with family and friends involving travel and/or adventures, time for reflection and service to others, and the energy and good health to enjoy all of the moments! 

Convention in Manhattan, Kansas this past June provided a spectacular venue and a wonderful experience!  Everything sparkled in the heart of Aggieville, but in case you were unable to join us, here are a few of the highlights:  The beautiful, historic Bluemont Hotel; Speakers Anissa Nierenberger - Dictionary Jumpstart; Barry Clark - The Innocence Project; Blade Mages - Web Design; NCRA Representative Jennifer Sati – Technology; Jane Piles, Kristin Liska, Diana Nichols, and Sara Ortega - A Day in the Life of a Captioner; and Brandy Trible - Working with a Scopist.  Our social activity included pizza, game night, great friends, and Aggieville!  Tremendous thanks to our Convention Chairs, Cindy Fenton and Molly Kujawa!  Countless hours, hard work, and incredible inspiration goes into organizing a KCRA convention.  It could not happen without these talented volunteers and their committee, which included some of the following reporters:  Nancy Randolph, Toni Braun, Miranda Cummings, Mary Gaffey, Donna Lytle, Michelle Pralle, Vesta York, Mary Kay Howe, and countless others behind the scenes who make these events possible! 

Congratulations to our 2018 Distinguished Member Award recipient, Ms. Sheila Lyons, CSR, RMR, CRR, RDR, MRS, Sedgwick County Official Court Reporter.  Sheila has been an inspiring advocate for this profession for decades and her life’s journey has taken her worldwide and coast to coast.  Her quiet dedication to her fellow reporters through board service and student/reporter mentoring have defined Sheila’s career.  Sheila, quite simply, is a reporter who exemplifies a love for education and training, preparedness, hard work, knowledge, implementation, advocacy, and service.

Mary Kay Howe and I sincerely thank KCRA and its membership for affording us the opportunity to attend the National Court Reporters Association Convention in New Orleans, LA, this past August 1^st.  Events included NCRA’s Annual Business Meeting, the National Committee for State Associations’ meeting, the Premier Session, Exhibitor Expo, individual CEU sessions, NCRA’s Award Luncheon and Installation of Officers/ Board Members, and receptions.  In addition, we had the great privilege to witness the installation of our friend and Past KCRA President, Cindy Isaacsen, to a three-year term on NCRA’s Board of Directors as a director.  This position provides a remarkable opportunity for Cindy to serve.  KCRA is very proud of you, Cindy, and I know your energy, enthusiasm, and creativity will benefit this profession and its future!

New Orleans!  What a charming, historic city with its inspirational roots, welcoming locals, delicious cuisine, and gifted musicians and artists.  While visiting Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter, it is hard to imagine the area under water as was the case when Hurricane Katrina hit land in August of 2005.  The hurricane carved a path of destruction, devastation, and tremendous loss of life.  Yet today it stands as a thriving community, ready to embrace the past and welcome the future.  There is a courageous spirit, dedication, and pride infused in NOLA and it’s hard to leave without a greater sense of gratitude, personal sacrifice, and reverence for the human spirit and its will to survive no matter the odds.

To me, New Orleans epitomizes resilience, refinement, and revitalization.  Anyone can be caught off guard, even when preparations and plans are in place.  Let’s not wait for times of difficulty to be reminded that our reporting community extends beyond methodology or membership.  Together, we can create opportunities out of challenges and provide viable solutions to those we serve through preparation, implementation, and hard work.  Like those teachers, students, reporters, and mentors who preceded you, choose every day to add your creative spirit to this profession.  Build upon the past and redefine our future.  Be motivational, inspirational, transformational and inclusive.  Remember:  Every day in little ways, you make a difference in the lives of others.  It’s your decision what difference you choose to make.

CONGRATULATIONS, 
SHEILA LYONS!

2018 Distinguished Member Award Recipient

Sheila with her judge, Hon. Warren Wilbert