The Ray Outstanding Student Endowment (ROSE) Award was established in 1989 in memory of Dale Ray, a Federal reporter, who passed away in 1988. During his lifetime, Dale Ray served as a board member, vice-president, and president of the Oregon Shorthand Reporters Association, now known as the Oregon Court Reporters Association. The award is given each year to a court reporting student who resides in Oregon, which includes $500 cash, OCRA fall convention seminar fee, two nights’ lodging at the OCRA fall convention, a one-year student membership to OCRA, and a ROSE Award commemorative plaque.

Students entering the competition must have a speed level of at least 140 words per minute. They will write a 500-word essay explaining why they chose to become a reporter, what their career goals are, or another related topic. Essays will be evaluated by the ROSE Award Committee, and the presentation of the award will occur at the fall convention banquet.