2012 Convention Stories

    The "Awakening" in New Orleans

    by Shalicia Wilson
    Southwestern Associate Student Representative, 2012-2013
    Alpha Delta Pi Chapter
    Williams Baptist College, Walnut Ridge, AR

    Shalicia WilsonOur journey begins with six young women travelling nine hours in a so-called "church van" in order to attend the 2012 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention. Williams Baptist College was represented by three presenters and three members who had desperate hopes of returning with newly acquired knowledge and experience. The school-provided van was cozy and calm as the women began the journey of a lifetime. The ride was filled with insistent chatter and frequent pit stops.

    The women impatiently awaited their arrival at the New Orleans Marriott. That first glimpse of the swampy bayou only whetted their taste for reaching the city. Awe fell among the women when the skyline could first be seen; it was a mystical sight, more lovely than any of them could have imagined. None of the young women had ever been to such a magical city, and the temptation and beauty of it only drew them in further. Driving through the French Quarter only confirmed their hopes that this trip would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    The New Orleans Marriott stood boldly in the heart of the French Quarter, and promised to be a house filled with people of their own kind, fellow English lovers. The women could not wait to unpack their bags and venture out into the city to soak in all it had to offer. After all, this was the stuff dreams were made of, and dreams they did follow. Not only did the city call to the young women, with its tantalizing attractions and activities, but the prospect of fellowship did as well.

    It did not take long to realize that never had they seen or heard of so many brilliant minds being under one roof. The young women were captivated by the amount of talent within each session, the originality of the presentations, and the varying personalities of the presenters. As English majors at a small rural school, they had never witnessed hundreds of people coming together to celebrate the one thing they all loved—English.

    An "Awakening" took place among the women. They soon came to realize that not only did the city offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the convention did as well. All of the magic of the city seemed to fade when the magnitude of genius under that one roof was brought into perspective. The young women had awakened to a feeling of comradery, to a newfound passion, and to a sense of overwhelming pride.