Last week, Sigma Tau Delta converged on Denver, CO, for the 2023 Convention. New relationships were forged, memories were made, and money was given away. But most importantly, a love of literature, language, and writing was shared among a group of like-minded people. The event was a smashing success and we are eagerly looking forward to our centennial year convention next year in St. Louis.
The 2023 Convention opened with a poetry reading by local Denver authors Emily Perez, Wayne Miller, and Nicky Beer.
Midwestern Region Associate Student Representative Julie Harvey introducing Wayne Miller.
Wayne Miller reading from his recently-completed book.
Southern Region Associate Student Representative Catelyn Errington introducing our final poet, Nicky Beer.
Nicky Beer reading about drag queen Dolly Partons in her book Real Phonies and Genuine Fakes.
Left to right: Far Western Student Representative Tonie Stewart, Emily Perez, Julie Harvey, Wayne Miller, Nicky Beer, Brett Iarrobino, High Plains Student Representative Deane Reaves, Catelyn Errington, Eastern Student Representative Autumn Koors Foltz.
The convention also featured two Keynote Speakers. On Thursday evening, Juda Bennett, Winnifred Brown-Glaude, Cassandra Jackson, and Piper Kendrix Williams read from and discussed their book The Toni Morrison BookClub in honor of our first ever Author Spotlight: Toni Morrison. The next afternoon’s keynote address was by Brenda Peynado, author of the 2023 Common Reader The Rock Eaters.
Eastern Region Associate Student Representative Zoe Talbot introducing the authors of The Toni Morrison Book Club.
Left to Right: Winnifred Brown-Glaude, Cassandra Jackson, Piper Kendrix Williams, Juda Bennett.
The Toni Morrison Book Club authors signing books after their keynote.
Junior Student Advisor Kaitlynn Sass introducing 2023 Common Reader author Brenda Peynado.
Brenda Peynado.
Brenda Peynado fielding student questions.
Far Western Student Representative Tonie Stewart having their copy of the Common Reader signed by Brenda Peynado.
Convention attendees lining up for Brenda Peynado’s book signing.
Thursday morning kicked off with a set of workshops led by the Student Leadership Committee and by alumni members.
Far Western Region Student Representative Anthony Quigley preparing to host his Pantoum Poetry workshop at the Student Leadership Workshop.
Southwestern Region Student Representative Katie McQuay waiting for a new group of attendees to come learn about sonnet writing at the Student Leadership Workshop.
Southern Region Associate Student Representative Catelyn Errington hosts a “How to Write without Writing” session at the Student Leadership Workshop.
Eastern Region Student Representative Autumn Koors Foltz and her popular zine-creating station at the Student Leadership Workshop.
Alumni Representative DeAndra Miller discussing traditional publishing for fiction.
Alumni Workshop on working in a university community.
Alumni Workshop on professional editing.
Throughout the course of convention, chapters hosted both Displays and Merchandise Sales.
While convention attendees certainly reap the benefits of keynote speaker and workshop presentations, the heart and soul of any Sigma Tau Delta convention is the critical and creative work shared by our student presenters.
“The Not-So-Great-Gatsby” by Kati Rivera, High Plains Associate Student Representative.
Session A-10 – Poetry: Spoken Out Loud
“Hate Is a Virus” by Cassandra Cole—University of Oregon
E-14 – Roundtable: Taylor Swift’s Book Club
Research in the Round
Research in the Round
Research in the Round
The Denver Convention offered a return to the ever-popular Literary Pub-Style Trivia while also adding a brand new event, Student Social Salons, which were hosted by the Student Leaders during downtime over lunch and dinner breaks on Thursday and Friday.
Literary games at the Student Social Salon.
Anthony’s Pantoum Poetry made a repeat appearance at the Student Social Salon.
Zines and blackout poetry were also popular Student Social Salon activities.
A full house of nearly 40 teams for the Literary Pub Trivia!
The Student Leaders handed out fabulous prizes for the three rounds of trivia at this year’s event.
The Student Leadership Committee celebrating after a successful event.
The 2023 Convention culminated in an Awards Luncheon where Sigma Tau Delta gave away nearly $12,000 in Convention Awards.
The Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel ready and waiting for the Awards Luncheon to begin.
Sigma Tau Delta Executive Director Matt Hlinak opening the Awards Luncheon.
Convention Chair Diane Vanner Steinberg and Associate Convention Chair Kevin Stemmler announcing awards.
2023 Convention Award recipients.
The 2023 Student Leadership Committee. Back Row L-R: Autumn Koors Foltz, Deane Reaves, Anthony Quigley, Kaitlynn Sass, Brett Iarrobino. Front Row L-R: Catelyn Errington, Zoe Talbot, Baylee Harding (holding up a photo of Matt Karshna, who had to leave early), Tonie Stewart, Kati Rivera, Julie Harvey.
The Sigma Tau Delta Central Office and affiliates, without whom there would be no convention. Back Row L-R: Namon Kent, Matt Hlinak, Jeannine Szostak, Katie Mudd, Chris Lockwood, David Gommel. Front Row L-R: Carrie Szostak, Jeanette Gommel, Elfi Gabriel, Joy Dertinger.
And last but not least, no convention is complete without a bit of frivolity.
Midwestern Student Representative Baylee Harding (front and center) giving our local authors a good laugh.
Sigma Tau Delta Central Office Graduate Assistant Joy Dertinger (left) and Southern Region Associate Student Representative Catelyn Errington ready to greet convention attendees.
The hosts of Open Mic Night I: Far Western Region Associate Student Representative Tonie Stewart (left) and High Plains Associate Student Representative Kati Rivera (right).
Weary Student Leaders hosting a Student Social Salon. Left to Right: Senior Student Advisor Brett Iarrobino, Eastern Associate Student Representative Zoe Talbot, and Baylee Harding.
Joy Dertinger and Southern Student Representative Matt Karshna in a very full elevator, packing off the last of the Central Office’s supplies at the end of the convention.
Former NEHS Director Dave Wendelin (left) and Current NEHS Director Chris Lockwood (right) relaxing after the convention.
Left to Right: Joy Dertinger, Director of Communications Katie Mudd, and Alumni Representative DeAndra Miller.
Web Support Specialist Namon Kent.
The Sigma Tau Delta Central Office and NEHS Advisory Council letting off some steam after the end of the Awards Luncheon.
NEHS Director Chris Lockwood (left) and Sigma Tau Delta Executive Director Matt Hlinak (right) reacting to an April Fools Day prank.
We hope you all will join us again next year in St. Louis, MO, for the 2024 Convention where Sigma Tau Delta will be celebrating its centennial year!
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