2024 Convention Highlights

On April 3 – 6, 2024, Sigma Tau Delta converged on St. Louis, MO, for the 2024 Centennial 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 concluding our centennial year of celebrations at the 2025 Convention in Pittsburgh, PA.

The 2024 Convention commenced with an Opening Ceremony where the Convention Chairs and President of the Board welcomed attendees and kicked off our centennial celebration. The Opening Ceremony was followed by a review of St. Louis Literary History with Kris Kleindienst, owner of Left Bank Books, and a poetry reading by special guest and former Sigma Tau Delta student member, Donika Kelly.

Convention Chair Glen Brewster welcoming attendees to the 2024 Convention.

President Shannin Schroeder kicking off our Centennial Celebration.

Eastern Region Student Representative Zoe Talbot introducing Donika Kelly.

Donika Kelly reading from her poetry collection Bestiary.

Left Bank Books Pop-Up store at the 2024 Convention.

The convention also featured two Keynote Speakers. On Thursday evening, 2021-2023 Missouri Poet Laureate Maryfrances Wagner read from her poetry collections and discussed her efforts surrounding Haiku poetry as Poet Laureate. The next afternoon’s keynote address was by Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Phillips, author of the 2024 Common Reader Then the War: And Selected Poems, 2007-2020.

Convention Co-Chair Carie King beginning our first Keynote Presentation.

Southern Region Student Representative Eunice Tan introducing Maryfrances Wagner.

Maryfrances Wagner’s Keynote Presentation.

A Conversation with Carl Phillips session.

Thursday morning kicked off with a set of workshops led by the Student Leadership Committee, followed by Alumni and Professional Development Workshops.

Student Leadership Workshop: Far Western Student Representative Kelly Taylor leading Literary Magazine Cover Letters and Submission Tips.

Student Leadership Workshop: Southwestern Region Student Representatives Destiny Jones and Irelyn Coker leading Six-Word Memoirs.

Student Leadership Workshop: Eastern Region Student Representative Zoe Talbot leading Character Building (CenTTRPGs!).

Student Leadership Workshop: Southern Region Student Representative Eunice Tan leading Worldbuilding: What is Your Dream World?

Student Leadership Workshop: Eastern Region Associate Student Representative Katherine Berube leading Fantasy Map-Making.

Student Leadership Workshop: Southern Region Associate Student Representative Ja’Vontaye Gagum leading On-Point Storytelling.

Student Leadership Workshop: Far Western Region Associate Student Representative Charlotte Beale leading Meter in Poetry.

Student Leadership Workshop: Midwestern Region Student Representative Elle Hardoin leading Collage Poetry.

Student Leadership Workshop: Sticker Prizes.

Alumni Workshop: English Skills in the Legal World, Katherine Polley.

Alumni Workshop: Consulting and Advising, Rica Lelina and Abigail Shipley Orlando.

Alumni Workshop: Publishing and Editing, Robin Alvarez and Therese Holzapfel.

Professional Development Workshop: Jeanine Utell from the Modern Language Association discussing the usefullness of an English major.

Professional Development Workshop: Sophia Sarigianides discussing antiracism in the classroom.

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.

Friday afternoon featured the Business Meeting and Regional Caucuses where members of the Board of Directors share the state of the Society and members elect new leadership positions.

Sigma Tau Delta President Shannin Schroeder welcoming attendees to the Business Meeting.

Junior Student Advisor Autumn Koors Foltz reading the 2024 Convention Land Acknowledgement.

NEHS Director Chris Lockwood talking about the service work our high school program supports.

Julius Anthony of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, recipient of the 2024 NEHS Literacy Initiative Grant.

NEHS Director Chirs Lockwood and Director of Marketing and Communications Katie Mudd visited The Dr. Kashina Bell Believe 11 Literacy Lab at Jackson Park Elementary School, funded by the NEHS Literacy Grant in partnership with Build-A-Bear.

The Dr. Kashina Bell Believe 11 Literacy Lab at Jackson Park Elementary School.

Julius Anthony presents the English Honor Societies with a copy of the mural from Believe Lab 11.

Julius Anthony presents the English Honor Societies with artwork featuring the Believe Lab 11.

Convention Co-Chair and newly elected Secretary Ami Comeford addresses attendees at the Business Meeting.

Newly applointed Vice President Leigh Dillard addresses attendees at the Business Meeting.

William C. Johnson, Sigma Tau Delta Executive Director Emeritus, leading the popular roll call.

Executive Director Matt Hlinak wrapping up the Business Meeting.

Student Leaders preparing to usher members of their region to their Caucus.

Far Western Region Student Representatives Kelly Taylor and Charlotte Beale at the Far Western Caucus.

The St. Louis Convention was full of social events, in addition to the scholarly workshops, paper, and roundtable presentations, the highlight of which was the Literary Trivia Pub Night, this year sponsored by National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).