newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Now in its 21st year, the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest is an annual event for grade school students that promotes better penmanship.

First-grader Annie Clark, who goes to Wilson Christian Academy in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, has worked extra hard to do well in this year’s contest.

She had to. Clark was born with no hands. But Clark won Zaner-Bloser’s first-ever Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellent Penmanship last week, receiving a trophy and $1,000 prize from the company.

ABC News reported that Clark holds a pencil steadily between her forearms to write the letters and capitalization. She is also capable of dressing herself, feeding herself, swimming and riding a bike.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Nicholas Maxim was a fifth-grader who entered the contest last year. Nicholas was born without hands or lower arms, but his work inspired the judges to create a new category for students with disabilities.

Annie's handwriting sample was selected as the Grade Level Winner for the first grade at her school. Wilson Christian Academy stressed good penmanship and handwriting.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Clark said, "I think about doing words and spelling. I have learned to go slow."

Annie’s father Tom Clark says, “She is just determined that there's nothing she can't do."