The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) is proud to introduce the opening of the NCRF Kim Dore-Hackbarth Memorial Student Scholarship, a tribute to a remarkable professional whose life and career left an enduring imprint on the court reporting community. Kim Dore-Hackbarth devoted more than 30 years to Buell Realtime Reporting, earning a reputation as a talented Realtime reporter, trusted colleague, and generous mentor. Applications for the scholarship opened on March 6, 2026, and will be accepted until May 8.
Established by Kim’s colleagues, family, and friends in partnership with the NCRF Trustees and Angel Gatherers Committee, this scholarship ensures that her legacy lives on in the next generation. Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to court reporting and captioning students who demonstrate excellence, passion, and financial need.
This scholarship honors Kim’s dedication, professionalism, and the generosity she shared throughout her career. By supporting students in her name, we celebrate her passion for excellence and ensure that her spirit continues to inspire the next generation of court reporters and captioners.
Lisa Buell, Buell Realtime Reporting
Applicants must be current NCRA student members enrolled in a stenographic court reporting program, have completed an internship within the past year in judicial reporting, freelance reporting, CART, or captioning, and have passed a qualifying 160 WPM writing test. With a required 3.5 GPA and transcript, a short essay, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or supervisor that reflects the applicant’s professional attitude, demeanor, and motivation as an aspiring, dedicated court reporter.
Full criteria and application details can be found here.
Lisa Buell of Buell Realtime Reporting reflected on Kim’s lasting influence, saying, “This scholarship honors Kim’s dedication, professionalism, and the generosity she shared throughout her career. By supporting students in her name, we celebrate her passion for excellence and ensure that her spirit continues to inspire the next generation of court reporters and captioners.”
Donations to this scholarship fund directly invest in students striving to uphold the integrity, precision, and service that defined Kim’s life’s work. Every donation ensures that her spirit of excellence continues to shape the future of the profession.
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