A Conference Through the Eyes of a Student

One thing you often don’t realize when starting college is the fantastic opportunities you’re granted during your stay. On April 5, I had the chance to attend the Sigma Tau Delta Centennial Convention in St. Louis! This convention is a “unique event that allows hundreds of members and sponsors from around the United States and beyond to gather, share experiences and expertise, be recognized for achievements, and participate in the official proceedings of the society” (englishconvention.org). This event and those like it are fantastic ways to educate yourself on the happenings of the English world, make connections, and become inspired. 

Upon entering the hotel with my friends where the conference was held, we noticed how everyone seemed well-dressed and eager to be there. Once we checked in, we headed to the central floor, where most of the conference occurred. In the main lobby, there were various booths set up where different chapters of STD sold all sorts of society and English-centered merchandise. I was shocked and pleased to see all the chapters together under one roof, conversing and finding common interests. My pleasure only increased when I spotted a small book fair set up in the far corner of the room by Left Bank Books, a St. Louis local bookstore.  

After pursuing the different booths and the book fair, my friends and I decided we should head over to the business meetings we were assigned to attend. The conference room where the meeting occurred was massive and completely packed with STD chapter members from all over the United States. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a business meeting, but countless rounds of applause were not it. Yet, that is exactly what I observed as multiple chapter members and advisors were recognized for celebrating their tenth, fifteenth, and twentieth years as active members of STD. 

The applause and recognition ended and gave way to a second meeting where different regions gathered in respective rooms to discuss student leadership, participation, and ways our chapter, among others, could raise money and become more active in our communities. My friends and I eagerly took notes and started discussing ideas for our chapter. This meeting wrapped up quickly as all the chapters dispersed for lunch. We followed suit and lunched in the lobby while watching all the chapters mingle. My friend, Breanna, was getting nervous as her presentation on Elizabeth Bishop and Otherness approached.  

Soon enough, all four of us were headed to the room where Breanna was scheduled to present alongside the professor she wrote the paper. Upon entering, we noticed that guests and chapter members were already waiting in the audience, as well as other panelists sitting in the front of the room. So, with words of encouragement and smiles, we ushered our dear friend toward her spot in front of the audience, and shortly after, the readings started. 

As I listened intently to all the papers presented, I found that each paper had a similar theme dealing with “otherness” or “the marginalized.” This cohesive theme made it much easier to flow from speaker to speaker and consider questions we, as the audience, may have for the speaker after everyone on the panel presented their essays. Once all readings ended, everyone gave a round of applause, and the Q&A began. This part was the one I most appreciated because it gave me and the rest of the audience a chance to hear the speakers’ thoughts on the content of their essays, questions surrounding their essays, and even questions relating to real-world issues that their essays inspired. The panelists all did very well and answered all questions gracefully. My friends, our professor, and I were all very proud of Breanna.  

Following Breanna’s presentation, we decided to attend a keynote. The speaker presenting was poet Carl Phillips. If I thought the earlier business meeting was full of people, I was shocked when I now saw the massive conference room. It was so full that there were only a handful of seats left here and there and people standing in the back. You could almost feel the excitement buzzing off everyone in attendance. Once the room settled down, a leader came forward to introduce Carl, who, upon introduction, immediately cracked jokes and took a selfie in front of the room with the large audience behind him. He began the keynote by sharing a little about himself and thanking STD for allowing him to participate in the convention. Next, Carl started by taking out his book and reading various poems aloud. He was charismatic and constantly made jokes or funny anecdotes between each poem, making the entire room chuckle. I found his poems wonderful, but how he presented himself to the room only made the experience that much better. To close his keynote, he took questions from the audience, following it with a book signing.  

Overall, attending the convention was a fantastic experience that offered so much knowledge and insight into the English world, a world that I love. Although attending a conference might sound boring or seem too much like a school-ordained field trip, it is quite the opposite. I feel like I learned and experienced quite a bit from attending the STD conference, but more importantly, I feel even more inspired to do something with my degree, to make something I’m proud of, and to keep honing my craft. My most extensive advice to anyone struggling and looking for some motivation or inspiration is to take those opportunities your college offers. Most of them are a one-time deal, and you never know what you might gain from simply accepting them.