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Seven University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) students and five alumni presented at the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society's convention this spring in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and two of them won awards. ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's presenters are part of the Alpha Upsilon Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Gainesville Campus.

This marked the ÌìÃÀÉçÇø chapter's 11th consecutive trip to this annual conference. Faculty co-advisors Dr. Macklin Cowart and Dr. Leigh Dillard joined the students at the event. Dillard was also one of the convention co-chairs and serves as vice president of the board.

First-time presenter Theodore Lopata, who is pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in literature, earned an honorable mention award for his essay, "Nature's Infidel and Industry's Thrall: Social Commentaries in Orlando's Narrative Structure," a paper that emerged in Dr. Cameron Crawford's gender and literature class.

William Saccavino '24, who earned a degree in English with a concentration in literature and works as one of ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Supplemental Instruction mentors, added to the award tally with an honorable mention accolade for his paper, "Literal Consumerism: Barthesian Mythology in Tender is the Flesh."

With their honors, Lopata and Saccavino join the chapter's growing list of convention paper award winners, bringing the all-time total to 10 awardees earning $2,400 since 2016.

"Attending the Sigma Tau Delta convention was an incredible opportunity for which I am deeply grateful," Lopata said. "Getting to attend diverse panels, chair for fellow presenters and share my own research was phenomenal. I loved every moment. I am very honored to help represent my chapter and continue to support Sigma Tau Delta's wonderful mission."

The chapter was also well represented by members in leadership positions for the Society. Sophia Jockell completed her final term as the student representative for the Southern Region, and Saccavino served an interim term as one of two alumni representatives for the society. The other alumni representative is Tiffany Montgomery Nolde '20, who graduated from ÌìÃÀÉçÇø with a degree in English with a concentration in writing and publication. 

Nearing graduation in May, Jockell, chapter president who is pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in writing and publication, also expressed appreciation for the opportunity.

"I had such an amazing time at this conference. I was not only overjoyed to serve as the Southern student representative for my senior year and fourth convention, but also the ability to present a paper I loved writing, engage in multiple student events and speaking engagements, and the honor of introducing Benjamin Alire Sáenz before his keynote speech," Jockell said.

Dillard was glad to see the opportunities provided to students at the conference.

"Every year, I'm impressed by the quality of work our students are putting forward, both critically and creatively," Dillard said. "It's encouraging to see the way they prepare for this event — revising essays, practicing presentation strategies and the like — and how they support each other when they get there. They're not only sharing their ideas at convention but are also carrying the sense of community they embody on campus to this event."