Alana R. Blackledge, CSR Court reporter Lamar County, MS County and Youth Court Judge William E. Andrews, III Purvis, Mississippi Court Reporting School:  Prince Institute, October 2004-2007 Experience: County Court and Youth Court for Lamar County • Criminal and Civil Trials • Commitments • Juvenile Trials and Hearings • Dept. of Human Services matters (Shelter and Permanency hearings) • Justice Court Appeals • Circuit Court Arraignments Currently: I am employed by Lamar County, Mississippi as an Official Court Reporter for County and Youth Court. I finished school in October of 2007 and got my CSR in November of 2007. Upon finishing school I sent my resume out to seven different court reporting firms throughout Mississippi and to my Judge I work for now. I was offered four out of the eight jobs I applied for. I accepted the officialship because I love the courtroom. I was sworn in with the other officials on January 2, 2008, and had my first court day on January 7, 2008. I am required to keep office hours, but I usually can go and do if need be. Typical Week: We have Youth Court scheduled every Tuesday of every month. We have detention hearings 48 hours after a juvenile has been picked up for an offense all during the week. Our court term for County Court, which is a smaller Circuit Court, runs every other month. We have docket call on the second Monday of such month with a jury week to follow and then a civil week. I also take down Circuit Court Arraignments for my county’s part of the district. Personal Life: I have been really blessed with amazing friends and family. I recently got married to my high school sweetheart. We are currently living in Hattiesburg, MS and are looking at houses to buy. I could not be happier in my life or my career.   Advice: Court Reporting school is Hard, YES! But it is so rewarding in the end. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Set yourself goals and time limits and do everything you can to achieve them, and you will succeed. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!