By Sherry Williamson (TX)

At the 52nd Conference of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the J.O. Sentell Award was presented to Laura Roy, retired Clerk of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Laura is the 47th recipient of the J.O. Sentell award, the organization’s highest award. Laura has been a faithful and dedicated member of NCACC since 2001. She has served as a member of the Executive Committee, Vice-President in 2017-2018, President-Elect in 2018-2019, President in 2020-2021, Past-President in 2020-2021, Chair of the Awards Committee numerous times, Chair of the Public Relations Committee, Chair of the Past Presidents’ Committee, and as a member on almost every other committee. Laura’s term as President took place during the COVID pandemic, and she demonstrated exceptional determination and leadership by successfully organizing the first ever virtual (“Zoom”) Annual Conference. Laura has always been a friendly face to new and long-time members and offers great insight during discussions at the conference. 

Laura has this to say about receiving this award: “I am deeply honored and very humbled to receive the J.O. Sentell Award. The NCACC has been a rock for me during many challenges throughout my 32 years of service to the Missouri judiciary. Your advice and guidance have been invaluable, and I am grateful that you allowed me to lean on you when I needed help. (And there were times I needed A LOT of help.) One of my favorite things is to see new members join the NCACC and get to know them. Last year was the first time in 24 years that I missed an annual conference, and my family and I felt what can only be described as a loss – we missed you terribly! I truly love this organization and consider the NCACC members as my second family. I intend to remain active and serve on committees during my retirement, and I do hope to see all of you soon.”

This award recognizes extraordinary devotion to the conference, support for the judicial system, and service to others. Laura is an excellent ambassador for the Conference and exemplifies all the above qualities we honor as appellate court clerks. It is truly an honor to recognize Laura’s outstanding contributions to NCACC.