Scholarship Submissions

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles

Student Advisor, 2011-2012
sigmatd.sa1@gmail.com

One of the greatest benefits we, as members of Sigma Tau Delta, have is the opportunity to apply for a range of scholarships. The amount of money awarded for each scholarship varies, with the highest being $5,000! It does not come easy, though. The scholarship committee really puts you to work before they dish out the dough. Lucky for you, they also take a lot of time to write excellent documents to support you through the application process.

Perhaps we should pause here for a moment. I would like to emphasize that this truly is a process. There is a well-thought out list of tasks for you to complete and timing matters. If you have not started yet, start now. Slice out some time between writing papers, picking out classes for next semester, and reading to acquaint yourself with the Sigma Tau Delta Scholarship Submission Process.



First things first: pick out your scholarships. See what you are eligible for and read about what is required. There is continuity between the scholarship applications, so if you are eligible for more than one, you don’t have to do too much extra work. Before jumping in, though, you must be nominated by your chapter. Let your chapter sponsor know that you plan to apply. If there are many students from your chapter applying, you may need to set up a nomination meeting. (Only three students from each chapter can apply for each scholarship.)



Got that done? Great. Moving right along. Now you will want to think about what goes into a stellar application. Read through Tips to Create a Winning Application for ideas and motivation. As you’ll see in the document, one of the most important things is to start early. Scholarship readers can tell when you’ve written your application in a hurry.



Further, please be mindful that professors writing your letters of recommendation will appreciate the gift of time. Since their recommendation for you needs to be received by November 15, make sure you request today (or ASAP) that they compose a letter on your behalf.



The platform for scholarship applications has changed since last year. We are now using STARS (Scholarship Tracking and Review System), a program that is easy to use and has all sorts of cool features under the hood. You can create a log-in and password and save your application at any point to come back to it later. Here is some more important information to read through before you get started: Five Things You Need To Know About STARS. Attached to that site is a list of instructions. They are so important that I’m linking to them here and here and here  just to make sure you read them. Think of these instructions as a sort of check-list/FAQ hybrid. Infinitely helpful.  



Meet the deadline. November 8. Burn it in your memories, highlight it in your calendars, and set an alarm on your phone. Late applications are not accepted.



Finally, don’t forget the other opportunities for awards and money that are due on November 8. Chapter Project Grant applications are also due November 8. If your chapter is doing something similar to these chapters, you should think about applying! The application process is different from the scholarship application process, so read through the instructions thoroughly.



Remember that our convention theme is Reawaken (this will show up in the application questions). Although Thoreau’s words are taken out of context, I found this (half of a) quote to serve as motivation to polish and complete our applications. So I leave you with this:

“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake...” -Henry David Thoreau

A Weekend of History and Literature in Red Cloud, Nebraska

Nick Miller
High Plains Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chadron State College

Wind sweeping through the prairie was always a very calming image to me, and I was utterly mesmerized by the “Willa Cather Memorial Prairie.”  The vastly empty and calming stretch of land before me was a stark contrast to the town only a few miles away. This was a recurring feeling as I felt the town itself seemed to be straddling two different time periods. One foot was in 2011 and the other was in 1886, and while there was not a foreboding or melancholy sense in Red Cloud, definitely something declared its presence. The way these extremely old and historical buildings and the modern businesses were juxtaposed made this point clear as we wandered to Cather's actual childhood home.

We gathered in hushed voices as we walked through Cather's old home, and to the credit of the Willa Cather Foundation, the house was full of the furniture and dishes that the Cathers used.  I found especially moving that Willa’s grandmother’s tiny shoes were sitting perfectly next to the bed as if waiting patiently to receive their mistress’ feet. A feeling of reverence washed over me as I took in that ancient air. While everyone was indeed respectful, there was also a tinge of excitement as we walked through multiple historic buildings, especially the Harling House which was full of old paintings and dishes from its original residents (the Miners).

We did not just simply sightsee, however, and we covered quite a lot of ground in just two days. The first night started out with a very insightful presentation by the keynote speaker Dr. Andrew Jewell (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) about a publication that he is working on which features many of Willa Cather's previously unreleased letters. These letters paint a fascinating picture that fleshes out Cather's mysterious character. Following the keynote address was a common reader discussion on Willa Cather's novella “Old Mrs. Harris.” Many people contributed very thoughtful details regarding this novella, and the discussion itself was almost bursting with its array of opinions.

The following day we had the choice either to volunteer help for the Willa Cather Foundation or watch a documentary on Willa Cather. I decided to go with the Willa Cather Foundation because we got to have a behind the scenes look into rooms and buildings that are not open to the general public at this moment. Aside from lifting the heaviest shelves on this side of the Missouri River, the experience was very rewarding, and I am glad that we had the opportunity to lend a hand.

Later that evening was a poetry reading by a fantastic Slam Poet from Omaha, Nebraska, Matt Mason. “Energetic” does not begin to describe the dynamic reading that this very vocal poet treated the audience with. There were moments in his poetry reading that he would raise his voice as if there were no microphone in front of him, and suddenly drop his voice to a near whisper.

This conference was my first regional Sigma Tau Delta experience, and it was refreshing being around so many people that have a passion for literature. Many great things are happening in the High Plains Region, and I cannot wait to see what everyone brings to the table in New Orleans.

What is a Roundtable?

Lauren Brandeberry
Associate Alumni Representative, 2011-2012

Ever since submissions opened for the 2012 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, many people have been asking, “What happened to panel submissions, and what are these new roundtables?” Roundtables are the same thing as what used to be called “panels.” They have simply been renamed to help clarify their purpose.

At many other academic conferences, the term “panel” refers to a group of papers presented at the same time in the same room. At our conventions, these are called paper sessions. Panels at our conventions were not for papers but for topic discussions. But many people were confused. So, this year panels have been re-branded to better reflect what they were always supposed to be: roundtable discussions.

Roundtables are not the place to present papers, even if a chapter has 4 or 5 papers on the same topic. Roundtables are a way for people to share their expertise or experience and then to facilitate a dialogue with the audience members.

Roundtables can be presented by one chapter, or, even better, by members of several chapters working together. For example, a roundtable could be made up of all the officers from one chapter talking about their experiences publishing a journal, or it could be the chief editors of four different chapter journals comparing notes.

The people submitting the roundtable should be prepared to answer in-depth questions about a particular topic and to stimulate conversation by asking thought-provoking questions of the audience and to invite the audience members to contribute to the discussion. Roundtables might start off with a short presentation, but the main goal is not to give a one-sided presentation. It is to encourage engaged and productive discussion and collaboration between the presenters and the audience.

Roundtables are evaluated separately from papers, so members are eligible to submit a roundtable proposal even if they have already submitted two works (critical paper or creative work) as well. As a result of fewer than usual presentation rooms in our 2012 hotel, competition will be fierce for getting a roundtable proposal accepted. So it is imperative that you read the instructions closely. They can be found at http://www.englishconvention.org/sigmatd/conv/roundtables.html

One other thing that is different is that, starting this year, roundtable submissions require both a short abstract and a longer description of the topic. So don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure you know exactly what you want to talk about and why you think it would be a good addition to the convention program.

Special consideration will be given to roundtables that discuss the common reader and to roundtables that involve members of more than one chapter, so those are some things to keep in mind if you want to give your proposal that extra push.

Roundtables are always interesting and engaging, and I look forward to seeing what great ideas people come up with this year. If you haven’t done it already, start talking to your friends about creating a roundtable submission today. The deadline is November 1, 11:59 p.m.

Associate Student Representative Bio - Nick Miller

Nick Miller

High Plains Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chadron State College

Expected Date of Graduation: May 2014
Positions, other memberships, offices, etc., currently or recently held:
President of CSC chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, Campus Activity Board Representative for CSC chapter of Sigma Tau Delta.

Hello Everyone!

I first stumbled into the Sigma Tau Delta organization  when I was a wide-eyed freshman, amazed at the professionalism of my peers and professors alike, and equally amazed at the literary prowess these individuals carried. The chapter president decided I would become the Campus Activities Board Representative for the group,  which is an important position for a underclassman to have. As the CAB Rep I had to ensure that the club would get money from the school to host activities (such as Open Mic), and, of course, I was nervous.

Once I began to feel more comfortable with the responsibilities that were bestowed upon me, I wanted to become more involved with the club. It was almost like an addiction. I remember waking up at night debating with myself about which brand of fake spider webs would look better on the podium for Scream Slam (CSC's Halloween themed Open Mic), or which poem to open with at Open Mic. Often I could be seen running around the English Department offices, in a state of bewilderment, trying to print fliers, or running around campus with bucket of chalk in tow to advertise some upcoming event. Eventually I made my way to president (or as my fellow Sigma Tau Delta members at CSC call me, “El Presidente”) and I was determined to do two things: get more English majors involved in Sigma Tau Delta, and figure out how this organization works on a society level.

I am going to sound pretty daft by saying this, but, until a few months ago, I was completely in the dark as to how this English Honor society actually ran. I knew that there was some form of hierarchy above chapter president, but I simply never looked into it. Dr. Miller really pushed me to become more involved with the club, and I took his advice out of a combination of curiosity and a desire to get outside myself. Recently I went to my first Sigma Tau Delta regional conference, and I met some really great people who had a profound level of love for literature. This experience was really inspiring, and gave me that final push to nominate myself for Associate Student Representative. I am very grateful that I was accepted into the position of Associate Student Representative, and I promise that I will work hard with the Student Representative to spread the word about Sigma Tau Delta.

Board Meeting Reflection 5

MeKoi Scott
Southern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Auburn University, Montgomery

Participating in and contributing to the Board meeting in New Orleans increased my appreciation for Sigma Tau Delta as an organization. This meeting was my first opportunity to experience firsthand the internal decision-making process of an organization. I was pleased and impressed by the effort and enthusiasm that went into the discussions over the three-day period. The Board truly does its best to provide Sigma Tau Delta members with as many rewarding opportunities as possible, from increasing available awards and scholarship amounts to facilitating unique experiences. I look forward to continuing to work with other regional representatives as we do our best to contribute to Sigma Tau Delta's mission.

Board Meeting Reflection 4

Sarah Faulkner
Far Western Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chapman University

The Big Easy, NOLA, Nawlins, and The Crescent City: all different names for one amazing city! The people are incredibly friendly; the minute I got off the plane everyone was asking me how I was and if I needed anything.  The Marriott is a gorgeous hotel, with the swanky lobby and high-tech elevators, beautiful pool and spacious rooms! After the amazing work done by the Board, I was thrilled to see the city! Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, the St. Charles Streetcar, Seafood Festival, it was all fantastic!  It is a perfect spot for our convention, very literary and full of character and inspiration! I'm looking forward to going back soon for more beignets and coffee, and, of course, more time with the wonderful people of Sigma Tau Delta!

Board Meeting Reflections Part 3

Janine, the High Plains Student Representative, wrote a creative response to her experience at the Fall Board meeting. While she used this for class, it is also a great example of what you could submit for convention (more on that later). We really like Janine's references to the music of New Orleans -- something you almost take for granted while you're there, but that is so central to the energy of the city.

We hope you enjoy! --Allie and Kelsey

Janine Brooks
High Plains Student Representative, 2011-2012
University of Nebraska, Omaha

Reawakened, New Orleans’ Way

My feet, already exhausted from the never-ending tread across sidewalks made of roughly laid redbrick and fractured sections of weathered slate, are eager for something new to attract my attention that would require me to sit down. I am in the midst of a large group of student leaders from Sigma Tau Delta. We are wandering the streets of New Orleans in our efforts to find a trolley stop so we can see the Garden District.

As we near Charles Street, we stop to orient ourselves with where we are. Faintly, in the distance, the sound of Dixie beckons us forward to join in its excitement. One of the girls says, “Hey all, let’s go see what is going on!” Not one of us objects to the idea, so we all head in the direction of the noise.

“Oh when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in.”

The words, uplifting and refreshing, yank at my heartstrings. My body willfully stirs about bending occasionally at the knees, permitting the arms to wave freely, and granting the fingers permission to snap in response to the beat. Little left that my feet can do, so sore and tired, yet they dance forward in anticipation. I am eager to immerse myself into this culture—I wish to be caressed into the sweetness of all those trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and drums that are filling the air with their rhythmic romance.

The park, bulging beyond capacity with people, is vibrant in its multitude of colors. As we push our way through the crowds, a wild man suddenly emerges before us. Dressed fully from head to toe in minute seed beads of sanguine colors, his body sways back and forth in motion to the music. Upon his face is a magnificent mask made of hundreds of feathers dyed in shades of deep purple, blood red, and pitch black. Laughing, he looks at me as he invites me to join him in his dance. I shake my head: “No.” Afraid of being alone, I hurry away to catch up with the group who has already walked away.

“And when the sun refuse to shine, And when the sun refuse to shine.”

People pack themselves about the stage swaying to the song of the South; the sound seems to permeate their souls. A dark man, shirtless with streams of sweat rolling down his back, has thrown his spirit fully into the music. He flips himself forward and then backward through the air, in a variety of somersaults. He then throws his body to the ground as he squats in preparation for a giant leap straight up as high as he can go. The crowd roars and he lets the jazz move him further to repeat those same crazy steps.

Trudging forward with my friends, we stand in line to purchase something cold to drink at a margarita stand. While waiting for everyone, I look about at the variety of food and liquor stands, craft booths, and tarot reading stations. Above the stage is draped a white banner laced in black letters that says “Seafood Festival.”

Sadly, I walk away with my group while regretting the fact that time always pushes one forward, and never permits an individual to languish. That sweet Dixie sound draws a tear from my eye as I reluctantly leave the event. As I move further away from the park, I am drawn to a scene before me that leaves me the helpless witness; I cannot move. A somewhat squat figure, half-covered in cherry dreadlocks running down to the buttocks, seems preoccupied with something possibly sitting on a marble ledge.

A voice calls out to me: “Janine, hurry up. We all want to get on the trolley.”

I shake my head and walk forward towards the group ahead of me, but I keep my eyes on the oddity. And then I see the truth. It is not a creature of the night confused and walking about in the daylight, but rather a female clown who is face-painting a child’s face. Her deft fingers move quickly as she decorates the boy’s cheek with a handful of balloons. The boy grins as he awaits the finished product, his head tilted willingly to the right to permit the clown to do her magic.
A man stands next to the boy, a twinkle in his eyes as he patiently whistles: “Oh Lord, I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.”

Board Meeting Reflections Part 2

Amy Woody
Eastern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Westfield State University

All that Jazz

What happens at a Board meeting? It's a legitimate question. I had never been to a Board meeting before. Will I have to speak? Will I get to vote? These were all questions I had on my mind when I boarded the plane to go to the Sigma Tau Delta Board meeting in New Orleans.

As it turns out, Board meetings are kind of awesome. The first portion of our time in New Orleans was spent attending committee meetings. This was one of my favorite parts. I remember a moment at the Pittsburgh convention when someone was explaining how being a student leader really gives you the opportunity to have a say in important matters regarding the organization. This is without a doubt true! Every committee chair was so interested in what the students had to say and so eager to hear if the students had any ideas. Students really do have a voice in this organization; realizing that was pretty incredible.

New Orleans, by the way, is full of personality. The food's delicious, the people are hospitable, and the jazz is everywhere. We spent time riding the street car through the city, meeting locals and other tourists, and just looking at houses so characteristic of New Orleans.

Though I am happy to be home with my family, I miss New Orleans because there is something electric about being with a group of like-minded individuals who want to work with you to achieve common goals. There is also something comforting about being with fellow English nerds. Who else is willing to chat with me about Baudrillard while sauntering down the streets of New Orleans? No one.

Is it February yet?

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Reflections on the 2011 Fall Board of Directors meeting

Alexandra Reznik
Student Advisor, 2011-2012
Duquesne University

and

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles
Student Advisor, 2011-2012
Kansas State University

"Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?"

Indeed, Louis, we do. During this year's Fall Board Meeting, the Student Leadership Committee scoped out the intoxicating sights, smells and tastes of this vibrant southern city. We also met and collaborated in committee meetings to plan for the next year's convention. Included below is a preview of what you can expect.

We still plan to include all of the traditional Sigma Tau Delta conference favorites, from the Open Mic on Wednesday night, Dry T-Shirt and Bad Poetry Contest on Thursday night, in-hotel events (TBD) for Friday night, and the Student Leadership Reception and Gala on Saturday night.

Student Leadership will also be hosting workshops during the convention to satisfy all interests from exploring the infinite career possibilities with an English or creative writing degree, to applying to graduate school, to building inter-chapter relations, to a Student Leadership roundtable where you will have the opportunity to connect with your Student Advisors, Student Representatives, and Associate Student Representatives.


Don't know who your regional student leaders are? Click here to learn more about them.

With all of these activities we hope to (going along with this year's conference theme) "Reawaken" your interests and involvement with Sigma Tau Delta. The animated city of New Orleans will also reawaken your literary interests, as it is the home city of Truman Capote and Anne Rice.
We can't help but emphasize that your taste buds will be rejuvenated as well. Student Leaders visited amazing restaurants such as Red Fish Grill (famous for oysters and sausage alligator gumbo).



If you're interested in an elite dining experience, visit The Court of the Two Sisters (an expansive menu including shrimp and grits, escargot and delicious drinks).



You can't leave New Orleans without visiting the original French Market stand Cafe du Monde where you can get ridiculously amazing (and cheap!) beignets and coffee.



And for those of you of age...beware of the local specialty drink, the hurricane.



We look forward to seeing you this February, where you will get to answer Louis' question for yourself!

Over the next few days we will be posting reflections from Student Leadership. Please enjoy the first of this series below:

“New Orleans is a splendid mix of old and new sprinkled liberally throughout the city.  The food is exceptionally good, whether it's a little hole in the wall or a 5-star restaurant.  The people are every bit as warm as a bowl of gumbo!  They couldn't be nicer. 
Needless to say, I'm looking forward to convention--if nothing else, to get another crawfish etoufee omelet!”

–Deborah Dessaso, Alumni Representative

Convention Stories

Jolie Hicks
Southwestern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Beyond Words:  The Convention of Opportunity

The blue shuttle bus, traveling to downtown Pittsburgh, was packed full of highly intellectual college students invited to attend the annual Sigma Tau Delta Convention.  Most American buses would be abuzz with incessant chit-chat and laughter from demonstrative university students, looking for the next person they can add to their contact list on the most popular social network.  However, this particular airport shuttle was so quiet that the fear and anticipation held by these introverted creatures were almost palpable. These students were walking into the unknown, were embarking on a journey, and were willingly going to present their personal pieces of literature to other like-minded individuals, with the hope that they had something enlightening to offer.  As an English student, I have been labeled by many people as an introverted bookworm, full of dreamy ideas and thoughts that only a few people can hope to ever understand.  At first, these descriptions seemed negative, almost derogatory, making me feel like an odd duck, yet after examining my surroundings at the convention and meeting so many other compatible people, I began to understand that my passion for words is shared with other creative minds and I am privileged to be a member of an amazing reading and writing community, Sigma Tau Delta.   

Scanning the convention brochure, I noticed that each session at the convention was strategically organized and perfectly categorized by imaginative writing themes and impressive titles, and I was completely excited to find my name listed, too! Immediately, in my type-A way, I began making a list of each session that sounded intriguing to me, generating an eagerness to participate in my very first Sigma Tau Delta Convention.  After sitting through several presentations, I found myself speechless and awestruck by the incredible talent assembled under one roof. The guest speakers that came to Pittsburgh were astounding, as well, giving personal testimony of their individual writing habits and discussing in detail the personal struggles that they have faced.  This community of writers was very comforting to all of the new, up-and-coming authors in Sigma Tau Delta.  The English society is not a place where the mediocre and apathetic student hangs out but where the innovative and idealistic achiever can be found.  The sight of English honor students from all over the country standing before their peers, sharing  inspiring ideas, along with the sound of accented words, being read off the printed page, provided an unforgettable experience and an exceptional opportunity to embrace the convention theme, “Beyond Words.”

Convention Stories

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles

Student Advisor, 2011-2012

Kansas State University

As I slowly come out of my post-convention shock and back into “real life,” I’ve begun to process all the events that occurred. After flying into Pittsburgh and registering for the convention, I eagerly flipped through the program to pick out the sessions I wished to attend. I picked out a few “must sees” and then went to the showing of Away We Go and won a copy of the movie, which I later had signed by Dave Eggers himself! Speaking of speakers, I thought all the keynote speakers were fabulous and inspiring, but I was particularly inspired by Dave Eggers. His tone was humorous, if a little nervous, but his message was clear: pursue your purpose in life. He said, “Never underestimate your words and their power,” which was the best way to end our Beyond Words themed convention.

The bad poetry night and the open mic night were also a blast. Our student leaders really did a great job this year providing fun social activities and a wonderful informational student leadership workshop. My group decided to divide and conquer by sending one person to each of the sessions offered. I went to the personal publication and grant writing seminars, which were both useful in my pursuit of service projects and creative writing.

For those who have never been to a Sigma Tau Delta convention, I seriously recommend it. Bringing so many English scholars together in one place encouraged a think-tank atmosphere and we could almost see the ideas zipping through the air. I know I was inspired by the panel presentation from The College of New Jersey called “Coming to the Convention as a Crowd.” The students and advisors on this panel had so many great ideas about how to encourage service projects, fundraising, paper/panel submissions, and group bonding, all to create interest in going to the convention. The tips I took from that panel are sure to help me in my quest to vitalize the High Plains Region and get more of our chapters to the convention next year.

This year was also special because I joined the list of presenters. I read a short story and gave a panel presentation called “Can a Novel Unify a Campus?” Even though I didn’t bring back a convention award, the experience of sharing my work and research was invaluable and good practice as I move along in my college career and start looking towards grad school. 

Apart from the sessions and speakers, my experience was enriched by the people I met. One night, my group from Kansas State University ate dinner with this past year’s High Plains Student Representative, Michelle Webb. The conversation was lively and the experience of eating a coleslaw and french-fry infused sandwich off layers of wax paper will be in my memory forever. I also had the opportunity to get to know my fellow K-Staters on a deeper level which will help us work as a stronger leadership team on campus. 

The benefits of attending the Sigma Tau Delta convention are innumerable. It’s an experience that I will always be thankful I gave to myself and I hope that next year even more students attend when we take things down south to New Orleans!