At the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, I felt that I wasn’t taking complete advantage of my college education. I wasn’t putting myself out there, and my resume was extremely sparse. My fears eventually led me to join Sigma Tau Delta (late into the fall semester, might I add). Even then, it still felt like it was too late to join the Society and build my resume. My wonderful Chapter Advisor showed me that everything was okay, that I wasn’t behind, and that there were many opportunities waiting for me. I came to realize the extent of these opportunities and my own capabilities during the Sigma Tau Delta 2024 Centennial Convention.
Simply put, my experiences at the Centennial Convention changed my life. Outside of the many papers and presentations that inspired my own writing, I was able to connect with fellow Society members in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without attending the convention. My chapter member colleagues went from acquaintances to friends I love and know I can rely on. We explored St. Louis, ate every meal together, and laughed the entire week. One of the best things about convention is that you aren’t limited to making friends within your chapter—you meet so many people from different chapters around the globe! It’s difficult to find that sort of community in everyday life.
Going to convention also provides many opportunities to network and build your resume. At last year’s convention, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never attended before, and I had no idea how to present at a roundtable or talk to strangers. As the week went on, I watched other Society members read their pieces at panels and even gave my own presentation as part of a roundtable. This personal presentation provided experience to include on my CV, and the pieces I listened to inspired me to want to continue to develop my skills and to put my work out into the world. The author of the Common Reader, Carl Phillips, read some of his work and answered questions for Society members, which was inspiring as well.
Near the end of the convention, there was a meeting to discuss membership opportunities within the Society. That meeting, more than anything else, is what changed my life. It gave me the confidence and courage to apply to be a Student Leader for the Society. That decision has provided me with valuable experience and allowed me to build my resume beyond anything I would have imagined possible this time last year.
If you’re considering attending the 2025 Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 19 – 22, but aren’t sure if you have the skills to attend, trust me when I say convention is all about learning and growing. You should absolutely attend and put yourself out there in every way possible, and now is the perfect time to start preparing. To begin to prepare for the wonderful experience that is convention, you should read our Common Reader (Natalie Diaz’s When My Brother Was an Aztec) and Spotlight Author text (Willa Cather’s One of Ours) and allow yourself to be inspired by them. I can’t wait to see you all there!
Kaylee Jo Stocks
Associate Student Representative, Far Western Region, 2024-2025
Rho Tau Chapter
Utah State University, Logan, Logan, UT
2025 Convention Submissions
Submissions for the 2025 Convention will be open through October 30, 2024, 11:00 p.m CT.
What can you submit?
Students
Eligible students include: Sigma Tau Delta active members in good standing, Sigma Kappa Delta members, and Transfer Students as Provisional Members of Sigma Tau Delta.
- one (1) paper in any of these categories: original critical essay, creative nonfiction, poetry collection, original prose (short story, flash fiction, drama, or screenplay);
- one (1) additional paper submission on the Common Reader: When My Brother Was an Aztec, by Natalie Diaz;
- one (1) additional submission for a roundtable presentation session; and
- one (1) additional submission for a Research in the Round table host.
Alumni Members
Alumni members are members of Sigma Tau Delta who have an undergraduate degree and are not currently pursuing an advanced degree in English or a related field at a school with an active Sigma Tau Delta chapter.
- one (1) paper in any of these categories: original critical essay, creative nonfiction, poetry collection, original prose (short story, flash fiction, drama, or screenplay);
- one (1) additional paper submission on the Common Reader: When My Brother Was an Aztec, by Natalie Diaz; and
- one (1) additional submission for a roundtable presentation session.
Faculty Members
Roundtables are the only type of presentation works faculty members may submit.
Check out our Hints for a Successful Paper Submission to help you submit your very best work.
Great post! I am recommending Diaz’s poems too.