NCRA Members in Action

A dream: COVID tested, suitcases packed, totally stressed ... and Tanzania bound!

Mixed with various emotions of stress, excitement, and awe, international member Leah Willersdorf shares her recent experience with a job in Africa where she took the opening statements in a United Nations war crimes trial in Africa. Willersdorf notes: "This day, though, was like no other. I was about to be on probably the biggest steno stage of my career so far." She adds, "I am honored to join the ranks of the stenographers from around the world who have reported the UN hearings, trials, and tribunals in what truly is a front-row seat to international justice and history."

Notre-Dame-Law-School-Graduate-_Kloeber-and-TammyVandervort

Notre Dame Law School graduate reaps rewards of CART services

Deaf student Ross O. Kloeber, IV, a graduate of the Law School of the University of Notre Dame Law School thanks NCRA member and CART provider Tammy L. Vandervort, RPR, for CART services provided while in law school. Kloeber shares: "Tammy had a significant impact on my ability to complete my coursework as a law student and her services allowed me to perform at a high level all throughout my law school experience."

Confessions of a Stenographer

NCRA Member and student Shaunise Day from Oakland, Calif., has started a podcast. Day said she has been thinking about the idea for a while. "On social media, we discuss plenty of great topics that everyone in the profession could use. After discovering that I had way too many screenshots of valuable information, I thought about all of the reporters and others who are in the profession who aren’t on social media and could benefit from the topics just as well. A steno podcast would be the perfect platform to keep us all engaged and informed.“

Freelancer takes on public hearing of 10,000 attendees via Zoom

Alex Loos, RDR, a freelance reporter in Melrose, Mass., is hailed as a reporter extraordinaire for organizing and implementing a three-day public hearing of 10,000 participants via Zoom. Technical assistance and meeting management was required by Alex in every aspect of the hearing, and he went above, beyond, and then some to get the job done, never faltering, never complaining, never becoming unhinged. Everything he did epitomized superior customer service.

Potential experiences that abound

Debbie Dibble, RDR, CRR, CRC, a freelancer and captioner, shares her story of how a single encounter resulting from mistakenly stolen deposition exhibits led from one opportunity to another. Dibble had the opportunity to work with celebrities like singer Donny Osmond, American idol finalist David Archuleta, and former quarterback Scott Mitchell (Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals) - which she notes as being a highlight of her career. Dibble is appreciative of these experiences and said that "We go places most people can only dream of, seize upon opportunities most will never be offered, and the rewards are unprecedented."