Virginia State Reading Association 2002 Conference


The convention hall is ready and waiting for the over 2,000 conferees who attended.	Dr. Bob Kann, Professional Storyteller from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, creatively shared his experiences and techniques in his institute on “Using Storytelling to Teach Reading or How to Avoid Having ‘A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.’”

Dr. Betty Yarborough (left, wearing sunglasses) and Dr. Carmelita Williams (right), both VSRA Past Presidents and much-appreciated supporters of VSRA, participating in the Governing Council Luncheon Meeting at the Holiday Inn SunSpree, on the oceanfront.	VSRA President, Nancy King, and General Session Speaker Cathy French, as Cathy prepares to present her remarks on Benchmark Education to a packed house in the First General Session.

Lively speaker Joe Ferguson shared stories and provided tips to make learning lasting and fun, in his session “Storytelling – What a Way to Teach.”	Gregg Kurek, IRA Board Member, welcomed participants to the Conference during the First General Session on the afternoon of March 7.

The ribbon is ready, and the exhibitors and conferees are waiting for the Ribbon Cutting to open the Exhibit Hall! The exhibitors sponsored a wonderful reception for all who attended, and everyone was treated to a fabulous exhibit with XXX exhibitors. A wide variety of musical entertainment was provided by local students and musicians during each of the three days, including a nautical combo, a steel drum band, and strolling minstrels!

These resourceful conferees have discovered the free reception provided by the exhibitors on the opening day of the Conference.	Donna Moody (VSRA Past President), Nancy King (VSRA President) and Reed O’Brien of O’Brien Associates are ready for the Exhibits to open, so they can see what new and intriguing resources are available.

As soon as the Ribbon Cutting for the Exhibits was complete, hundreds of conferees quickly made their way to the exhibit hall to enjoy the reception and explore the many tools and resources made available by over 100 exhibitors.	Hundreds of conferees flocked to the exhibit hall, filling the aisles as they evaluated new materials, engaged in lively discussions with exhibitors and other conferees, and….went shopping!