Awards Luncheon

The Prestigious Award

As always, this year’s Awards Luncheon provided many memorable moments as we took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and express our appreciation to those in our profession who exemplify excellence.  This year, we recognized a trail-blazing stenographer and firm owner who forged a path for future court reporters with her industry knowledge, diligence, and expertise.  No one is more worthy of our respect than Donna Urlaub, a court reporter who has served our profession with utmost dedication for 55 years.  Thus we honored Donna by bestowing upon her the Prestigious Award in appreciation for her significant achievements, fierce work ethic, and commitment to our profession for five-plus decades.

Congratulations, Donna.  Well done!

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

We also honored Mark Kislinbury, the innovator of Magnum Steno, with the “Steno in the City” 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.  Mark’s impact on the court reporting profession is characterized by brilliant innovation, utmost achievement, and longevity.  As the brain and powerhouse behind Magnum Steno and his namesake Mark Kislingbury School of Court Reporting, Mark has inspired thousands of students and professionals to study and adopt his mind-blowing stenographic theory and shorten their writing, thus enabling them to become more efficient writers.  He has had an indelible and profound impact on our profession.  Though Mark continues to be a stellar stenographer, business owner, and pillar of our profession, his generosity extends far beyond his gifts to the world of stenography.

Congratulations on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Mark.  We honor and appreciate your amazing accomplishments and contributions to our profession!

 

Philanthropy Award Recipient

The 2024 Philanthropy Award Recipient was none other than Kensie Benoit.  From the very start of her career in 2014, Kensie has served the court reporting and captioning profession exceedingly well on many levels.  Her impressive resume highlights her fierce dedication to giving back to the profession, including serving on multiple boards and committees at both the state and national levels.  Beyond her committee and board work, Kensie found time to teach steno, creating dictations that are still remembered and utilized today.  She has also been involved in nearly every Steno in the City (SITC) event, contributing both at the forefront and quietly behind the scenes.

Kensie’s commitment to the profession is evidenced by her wide-ranging contributions, to include recording a video at the first SITC networking event in Washington, D.C., which showcased her court work experiences, as well as appearing on the popular podcast “Confessions of a Stenographer” with her steno bestie Candice Andino.  Selflessly promoting the profession, Kensie teaches and hosts the A to Z program and also spearheaded the Modern Steno Movement, a brilliant initiative to elevate the visibility and understanding of the profession.  In case you’re wondering how the litany of program participants obtain their equipment, Kensie also provides loaner machines to prospective students.  Thus she wears many hats in terms of serving our profession.

Kensie’s service extends well beyond the scope of the steno profession.  For example, when Founder Shaunise Day had to step back due to surgery, Kensie, alongside the team, ensured that the Long Beach conference was a resounding success.  Thus Kensie’s heartfelt dedication and tireless efforts qualify her as a deserving recipient of the 2024 Philanthropy Award.

Please join me in celebrating Kensie for her remarkable contributions and unwavering support to the profession and Steno in the City!

 

People’s Choice Award

Next up, the 2024 People’s Choice Award was granted to Desiree Cooks, CSR of California.  Desiree has actively promoted the court reporting profession over the years in countless ways via her various social media platforms, where she offers in her own inimitable way a rare glimpse into a day in the life of a professional court reporter.

Congratulations, Desiree!

Please note that we identified a host of court reporters and captioners for nominees for the award.  We wish to thank all contestants who submitted their videos as part of the entry process.  Please continue making an impact and promoting our profession.

Impact Award

We decided this year to honor another reporter who uses her online platform in a meaningful way.  Those of you who follow Anna Mar-Lazo, TX CSR, RPR, understand that she takes time out of her busy reporting life to share behind-the-scenes details of her on-the-job experiences.  Anna’s platform is always interesting and informative, and she continues to make an impact within our community.  Whether brand-new students, new professionals or veteran reporters, we all know that our profession provides ample ongoing opportunities to learn from and help one another to become better reporters.

Congratulations, Anna, on receiving this year’s Impact Award!