ΣΤΔ-Distinguished Presentations at Annual Conference

Sigma Tau Delta Students Nicole Jones, Kelly Brabec, Kristina Riser, MaKalea Bjoin, Sarahan Moser, and Danny Anderson (L-R in photo) attended the Annual Meeting of the Sigma Tau Delta Annual Convention in Cincinnati. The Students coordinated two panels on critical subjects of the day, in conjunction with the theme of the conference: Seeking Freedom. One panel, “Sea to Shining Sea: The Freedom of Immigaration,” dealt with issues relating to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), and the other, “Sex Trafficking Victims in Search of Freedom,” addressed the crsis of sex trafficking in Charlotte, the United States, and the world at large. The sessions were remarkablle for the scholarship and clarity, and they elicited langthy discussion from audience members.

Two of the UNC Charlotte contingent read works of short prose and fiction. Kristina Riser’s “A Part to Play” and Nicole Jones’s “Skinny Vanilla Latte” earned accolades from audience members.

In addition to their own work, the group attended many sessions, information panels, and ΣΤΔ events, and sold more than a few of our T-shirts to boot!

As if they weren’t intrepid enough, they all faced one of West Virginia’s worth snowstorms in decades while driving back to Charlotte. With snow accumulating at about 1 inch per hour and no rooms to be had on a closed Interstate-77, the group “camped” for the night at the Bluestone Travel Plaza, somewhere near Beckley, WV. Whether it was a night to be remembered or perhaps forgotten, it was a VERY harrowing 20 hours! But the remarkable Charlotte Team held tough! (Ask them about it.) “Neither snow nor rain nor (lack of heat) nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the delivery of their scholarship.”

MORE PHOTOS SOON!

Below: Early in the day, when the snow seemed “friendly.”

The Bluestone Travel Plaza (Below). Our unlikely home-away-from-home!