The Catherine Vernon Court Reporting Scholarship
At Vernon Court Reporters, our story has always been deeply connected to Washington — to the attorneys we serve, the agencies we support, and the students who represent the future of our profession. Giving back to our community isn’t just something we do; it’s a reflection of the values that built our firm.
That’s why we’re proud to offer the Catherine Vernon Court Reporting Scholarship, an annual $2,500 award created in partnership with the Green River College Foundation. This scholarship supports students enrolled in Green River College’s highly respected court reporting and captioning programs — including remote attendees — and helps strengthen the pipeline of future stenographers here in Washington State.
Honoring a Living Legacy of Dedication and Craft
The scholarship is named after Cathy Vernon, who continues to work as a court reporter and remains an active force in the profession today. Cathy’s career began when she put herself through Green River Community College, discovering a passion for stenography that would shape her life.
After graduating in 1981, she built her own reporting practice from the ground up, serving solo attorneys with accuracy, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the legal record. Over the decades, her reputation — and her business — grew into the family-run company that Vernon Court Reporters is today.
Cathy’s journey is a model of perseverance, skill, and service. She is the living embodiment of what this scholarship stands for: investing in hard-working students who are ready to build meaningful, long-lasting careers in court reporting.
Supporting a Critical Profession in Washington
Washington is experiencing a growing need for qualified stenographic reporters. As courtrooms, agencies, and legal teams rely more than ever on real-time, accurate transcripts, the importance of nurturing new talent has never been clearer.
Green River College plays a unique role in this mission as one of the most reputable court reporting programs in the country — and the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. By supporting students enrolled in GRC’s programs, whether in-person or remote, we’re directly investing in the quality and sustainability of the profession statewide.
Our commitment is simple:
Help talented students begin their careers with support, encouragement, and a strong connection to the Washington reporting community.
About the Scholarship
The Catherine Vernon Court Reporting Scholarship provides a $2,500 annual award administered by the Green River College Foundation. Eligible students must be enrolled in GRC’s court reporting or captioning programs, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and submit a short biography, essay, unofficial transcript, and up to two letters of recommendation.
In addition to supporting tuition, the scholarship funds may also be used to purchase essential hardware, software, and other program-related equipment — such as stenographic machines, laptops, CAT software, or accessories that help students succeed in their training. This flexibility ensures that recipients can invest in the tools they need to advance confidently in their coursework and future careers.
A review committee — including faculty and a representative from Vernon Court Reporters — evaluates applicants and recommends a finalist to the Foundation, which makes the final award decision.
Investing in the Future of the Profession
Supporting GRC students is not just an act of giving — it’s an investment in the future of Washington’s legal system. Each student who receives training today becomes a future reporter capable of serving courts, agencies, attorneys, and the public with integrity and precision.
This scholarship reflects our belief that court reporting is a craft that thrives when skilled professionals are supported early, mentored well, and connected to a community that believes in their potential.
A Commitment to Community and Craft
Cathy Vernon’s dedication continues to shape our company and inspire the work we do every day. By offering this scholarship, we’re extending that legacy to the students who will become the next generation of stenographers in Washington.
Whether these students attend classes on campus or join the program remotely from across the state, they are part of something bigger — a profession built on accuracy, trust, and service. We’re honored to support them on their journey.
