Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest in the News
News for 2024
Star Tribune — Two Minnesota kids write their way to national recognition for cursive skills
Caden Baune and Zita Miller were named national champions in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
The Cullman Tribune — Sacred Heart 6th grader Azlynn Florence wins national award for handwriting
Local Sacred Heart student, Azlynn Florence, was recently named the 2024 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest Grand National Champion for grade six.
Scripps News — Is penmanship still important? Why kids should still practice writing
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that handwriting benefits functional brain development.
NJ.com — These 2 N.J. kids have the best penmanship in the region, contest says
A fourth grader in Hawthorne and a sixth grader in Jersey City are regional winners in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
WCCO-TV — 2 Minnesota students’ cursive handwriting skills get national recognition
Putting pen to paper is a passion for two Minnesota kids, and one that’s landed them national recognition.
WISH-TV — Carmel first-grader wins Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
Namuun Baasanbold, a first-grade student at Smoky Row Elementary in Carmel, has secured a national award for her excellent handwriting skills.
NBC News — Winners of national penmanship contest crowned as handwriting is “having a moment”
The Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest, regarded as the Super Bowl of penmanship tournaments, crowned its 2024 grand champions on Monday as a growing number of states are requiring cursive instruction in schools.
Temecula Valley News — Van Avery Prep student wins regional Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
Arjan Sandhu, a first grader at Van Avery Preparatory School, was named one of 28 Regional Winners out of thousands of submissions.
KBYI-FM — Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest picks a Rexburg student as a regional winner
Ruby Waldron, a fourth-grade student at Lincoln Elementary in Rexburg, was picked as a regional winner in the 33rd annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Rexburg Standard Journal — Lincoln Elementary 4th-grader wins district writing contest; on to nationals next
Laryssa Waldron learned that her 10-year-old daughter, Ruby, was named a Regional Winner in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
WXPI-TV — Local fourth grader deemed best in the west for handwriting competition
Ruby Waldron is the Western region winner of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest for all fourth graders. She is a student in Mrs. Hayes’s class at Lincoln Elementary School.
Marshall Radio — Red Rock Central 4th grader named Regional Winner in Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
Caden Baune and 27 other students from across the nation were recognized as Regional Winners of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. Winners come from 19 states and represent grades K–6.
KPLC-TV — Lake Area 4th-grader wins big in penmanship competition
Lakelyn Hartman, a fourth-grader at T.S. Cooley Magnet School in Lake Charles, has won a regional placement in the Zaner-Bloser handwriting competition.
WAGM-TV — Woodland kindergartener wins regional handwriting contest
Azaelea Therrien of Woodland Consolidated School is being recognized for her exceptional handwriting in a national contest.
News for 2023
Catholic News Agency — Virginia Catholic school student wins national cursive handwriting contest
“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” is the sentence that won Daisy Almaraz, a Catholic school seventh grader in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, a national competition.
TDPel Media — Catholic school student Daisy Almaraz wins national handwriting contest with flawless cursive skills
Students like seventh grader Daisy Almaraz serve as a reminder of the enduring value and significance of cursive handwriting skills in written communication and historical literacy.
The Winchester Star — Perfect penmanship garners national win for Sacred Heart Academy student
One sentence that contains every letter of the alphabet, written in perfect cursive, won Sacred Heart Academy student Daisy Almaraz the title of best hand-writer in the nation among seventh graders this school year.
Catholic Herald — Sacred Heart student wins national handwriting contest
Daisy Almaraz, a seventh grader at Sacred Heart Academy, was recognized as grand national champion in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. She was a state champion in the annual contest as a sixth grader.
KSDK — St Louis student wins national handwriting contest
Evelyn Thompson from Kirk Day School was chosen as the winner of the Nicholas Maxim Award for cursive writing in the 2023 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
WZRV — Winchester student awarded for best handwriting in nation
Zaner-Bloser’s 32nd annual National Handwriting Contest has come to a close, and a student from Sacred Heart Academy in Winchester took home the top prize for seventh grade.
WMTV — Meet the kids with the best handwriting in the country
One student from each grade level—kindergarten through eighth grade—was selected as having the best handwriting among all entries from the United States in the 32ndannual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Southern Living — 80,000 students participate in this national cursive contest each year
There was a time when every American student was expected to learn how to write in cursive. One national contest is proof that it’s not only still being taught, but celebrated.
The Cullman Times — The write stuff: Sacred Heart student receives national recognition for penmanship
Azlynn Florence was recently named a semifinalist in the 32nd annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest, a popular competition that proves the art of penmanship is not lost. Now Florence has her eyes set on first place.
Baltimore Fishbowl — Precursive success: Maryland sixth grader wins national handwriting contest
Freya Mojica, 12, has entered the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest every year since she was in first grade and has always placed at some level. This year she was recognized as a Grand National Champion for the first time.
The Globe — MCC student a semifinalist in National Handwriting Contest
Nearly 80,000 students participate each year in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest, and Brielle Plotz of Murray County Central Elementary School is one of only 20 students who earned awards in 2023.
WTAE — Meet the girl who has best cursive handwriting among sixth-grade students across the country
Maryland sixth grader Freya Mojica received a national award for her handwriting and was honored during an assembly at St. Joseph School-Fullerton.
WBAL-TV — Maryland girl has best cursive handwriting among sixth graders across country
Freya Mojica was selected as champion for sixth grade in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. She and her teachers call cursive a necessary school subject.
CBS Baltimore — Baltimore sixth-grader claims national award for cursive handwriting: 'I had to practice a lot'
A student from St. Joseph School-Fullerton just took home a national title for her cursive handwriting. She describes it as a form of art that shows more emotion than typing.
WMAR — Turning calligraphy into cash
Smooth strokes earn Freya Mojica the top spot among sixth graders in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. She received an engraved trophy and a $500 check.
Fox Baltimore — Local 6th grader selected as grand champion in Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
Freya Mojica, a student at St. Joseph School-Fullerton, had the best cursive handwriting among all sixth-grade entries in 32nd annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Observer-Reporter — Perfect penmanship: Joe Walker Elementary celebrates handwriting champion
When Hunter Chappel carefully wrote “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” months ago, he never dreamed that neat, precise printing would earn him recognition as Kindergarten Grand Champion in the 32nd annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
St. Louis Post Dispatch — Local student writes her way to national handwriting award
Evelyn Thompson wins Nicholas Maxim Award for Cursive in Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. The fourth grader joins a legacy of national and state grade-level winners from Kirk Day School.
Wausau Pilot & Review — St. Peter student among semifinalists in national handwriting contest
Mason Kluck of St. Peter Lutheran School in Schofield was recently selected the fourth-grade semifinalist in the 32nd annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark — Cursive handwriting, a dying art, preserved through Catholic education
Handwriting instruction is a staple of Catholic education, and five Archdiocese of Newark Catholic school students received national recognition for it in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Daily Independent — Scottsdale student wins top honors in national handwriting contest
Braedyn Fehl, a student at Anasazi Elementary School in Scottsdale, has the best cursive handwriting among fourth graders across the country.
SCNOW — Delmae student wins handwriting competition for third straight year
For the third consecutive year, Alice Li, a second grader at Delmae Elementary, has earned the title of South Carolina Grade-Level Winner in the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest.
News for 2022
Santa Maria Times – Valley Christian Academy student wins national handwriting contest
Two Valley Christian Academy students were crowned among the best in the country at cursive handwriting during the annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Daily Independent – National handwriting awards go to 3 Scottsdale Unified students
Anasazi Elementary School students Braeden Fehl and Mckenna Vick along with Cochise Elementary School student Kennedy Nolan were named grade-level handwriting winners for Arizona.
Hawaii Catholic Herald – St. Anthony, Kailua, student has best in her grade-level handwriting in the country
Apollina Recupero made it past several other levels of competition to be judged the best fourth grade entrant across the country and that grade-level’s Grand National Champion.
KITV4 – Kailua 4th grader wins national championship in cursive writing contest
St. Anthony School Kailua 4th grader Apollina Recupero is the 4th grade Grand National Champion in the 31st annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
News for 2021
New York Times - At a small Maine school, cursive endures and wins national awards
Two students recognized in a national contest last week for their skills crossing T’s and dotting I’s with precise and legible shape, size, spacing and slant.
National Public Radio Morning Edition - Students Compete To See Who Has The Best Cursive Writing
Remember cursive writing? Well it fell out of favor but some schools are bringing it back and students are actually competing at mastering cursive writing.
Chicago Tribune - National kindergarten handwriting champ a 6-year-old student at Elgin's St. Thomas More School
Elgin student Rhys Acas has the best penmanship of any kindergartener in the nation and he has a trophy almost as big as he is to prove it.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Homewood student has the best 8th-grade handwriting in the country
At the Hill District’s St. Benedict the Moor School, they still teach handwriting, starting with printing in pre-kindergarten and quickly transitioning to cursive.
The Daily Herald - The write stuff: Elgin kindergarener wins national handwriting competition
America Magazine - Is cursive dead? Not for this Catholic school 5th grader
Fifth-grader Caitlyn Ngo wants to be a doctor when she grows up, and if she follows through with those plans, she may finally put to rest the idea that all physicians have terrible penmanship.
Bangor (Maine) Daily News - In the age of texting, 2 Maine students honored as the best cursive writers in the country
Teachers and staff at Woodland Consolidated School in Aroostook County have worked for years to keep the art of cursive writing alive.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Brooklyn fifth grader wins national handwriting contest
Caitlyn Ngo from St. Edmund catholic school wins top US handwriting prize
Kansas City Pitch - Oveland Park 7th grader crowned national penmanship queen
After entering the contest last year as well, Rayabarapu was elated to learn of her national victory in the 30th annual Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest.
Spectrum News 1 San Fernando Valley - La Crascenta 2nd Grade Wins National Handwriting Contest
KTAB/KRBC "Big Country Home" News - Abilene 5th grader wins state cursive handwriting competition
Jonathan Castereno, a student at St. John’s Episcopal School in Abilene, earned the distinction of having the best cursive handwriting among 5th graders in private schools across Texas.
Abilene Reporter News - St. John's Episcopal School student in Abilene makes his mark in handwriting competition
Congratulations to Abilene fifth-grader Jonathan Castereno. He has been recognized for his cursive handwriting skills by the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
KAIT (ABC/NBC) (Arkansas) - Sixth grader wins state handwriting competition
Trumann sixth-grader Ava Henley won the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting competition in the state. She’s competing on the national level.
Lowell (Mass.) Sun - Academy of Notre Dame boasts 4 state handwriting champs
Four students from the Academy of Notre Dame earned the distinction of having the best manuscript/cursive handwriting among students in their respective grade level in public/private schools across Massachusetts.
Duluth News Tribune - Moorhead 5th grader is ahead of the curve as state winner in national handwriting contest
Esther Hansen, a fifth-grade student at Park Christian School, was recently named a state winner in a national handwriting competition.
News for 2020
The Union - Chicago Park School nets 4 state handwriting awards
Four students at Chicago Park School have been selected as state grade-level winners of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Ozark Radio News - Two South Fork students named Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest state winners
South Fork Elementary students Abigail Yarber and Charlie Huddleston have been named Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest state winners.
Ironton Tribune - Fairland students win state cursive contest
Two students at Fairland West Elementary School have won a state honor.
The Herald Dispatch - Community News
Students entered the Zaner-Bloser Cursive Writing Contest sponsored by the Columbus-based publishing company.
The Frederick News-Post
Mother Seton student becomes two-time handwriting champion
News for 2019
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt - 10-year-old wins handwriting prize against all odds
10-year-old Sara Hinesley was born without hands, but takes a lot of pride in her perfect penmanship. Today, her hard work paid off when she was awarded a national prize for handwriting.
The Washington Post - This 10-year-old Maryland girl who was born without hands just won a national handwriting competition
Sara Hinesley is the first student from her Frederick school to win the award.
National Public Radio - National Handwriting Competition Won By Girl Without Hands
Sara Hinesley, who goes to school in Frederick, Md., says writing in cursive is "kind of easy." She told WJZ-TV in Baltimore, "I just try my hardest and put my mind to it, and this is what happens."
People - 'Amazing' 10-Year-Old Girl Born with No Hands Wins Handwriting Contest: 'I Just Try My Hardest'
Sara Hinesley, a third-grader who was born with no hands, recently won a national handwriting award for her impressive cursive skills
CNN - This 10-year-old girl was born with no hands. She just won a national handwriting competition
A 10-year-old girl who was born without hands has proven that she can complete tasks as well as anyone else -- if not better.
Time - Girl Born Without Hands Won National Handwriting Competition Because Nothing Can Stop Her
Parents and educators have been worrying about the “dying art” of handwriting for years, as smartphones and laptops have lead some classrooms to spend less and less time on teaching the fine art of writing in cursive.
National Handwriting Contest Grand National Champions
Insider - The 10 winners of the National Handwriting Contest will make you want to practice your penmanship
In an effort to celebrate the fine art of proper penmanship, the educational company Zaner-Bloser established a national handwriting contest.
Olean Times Herald - Olean kindergartener has best handwriting in country, says Zaner-Bloser contest
East View Elementary School kindergartener Aisha Aylin was recently named kindergarten grand national champion for the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Hilton Head Monthly - Bluffton First-Grader Wins National Handwriting Contest
Atticus Enfinger, a first-grader from Bluffton Elementary School, was the national grade-level champion in the 2019 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
The Tablet - It’s All in the ‘Fine Print’ for Holy Family Student
Philip Saffian, a second-grader at Holy Family Catholic Academy, Fresh Meadows, has the “write” stuff.
Santa Maria Times - Textbook perfect: Valley Christian Academy third grader has best handwriting in the country for her age
Eight-year-old Norah Mason has the best handwriting in the country for her age.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Neat: St. Charles County student wins national penmanship title
Maggie, a fourth-grader at Immaculate Conception of Dardenne in St. Charles County, won the national title for her grade in the 2019 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
The News & Observer - At a time when cursive handwriting is on the wane, she loves it. And excels at it.
Sage Collier, a sixth-grade student at Grace Christian School, was named a national champion in the 2019 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Capital Gazette - Gambrills eighth grader wins national handwriting competition
Joe Robuck, 14, smiles with a trophy he won after being named a Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest winner.
South Bend Tribune - Cursive champ: Student at South Bend's Corpus Christi wins national handwriting honor
Practice has paid off for Lauren, who was recently named the champion of her grade level in a national handwriting contest.
National Handwriting Contest Semifinalists
Michigan Live - Michigan first-grader prints her way to national handwriting prize
Plymouth Christian Elementary School recognized one of its own on Friday, May 31, with a surprise announcement at the school’s end-of-year awards assembly.
NJ Advance Media - This N.J. 4th grader has some of the best handwriting in the country
Jenny Xu, a fourth-grader from Cherry Hill Elementary School, was chosen as a semifinalist in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Newark Post - Newark sixth-grader recognized for perfect penmanship
Aoife McGurk, a sixth-grade student at Christ the Teacher Catholic School, was recognized for her perfect penmanship in a national handwriting competition.
Redwood Falls Gazette Red Rock Central student is handwriting contest semifinalist
Bragging rights have been awarded recently to 18 students across the U.S. for having the best handwriting in the country.
Norwalk Reflector - 8th grader wins national handwriting contest
Monroeville Junior High School eighth-grader recognized at school assembly friday morning.
News for 2018
CBS New York - North Bergen, N.J. Third Grader Wins National Cursive Writing Contest
9-Year-Old Edbert Aquino Does His School, Academy Of Our Lady Of Grace In Fairlawn, Proud
The Star Tribune - The write stuff: Hopkins kindergartner wins national handwriting contest
The Hopkins kindergartner's entry, judged the best from among roughly 18,000 others, won the annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest for her grade level.
East Valley Tribune - Mesa girl wins handwriting contest
Emma Laird, a second-grade student at Pilgrim Lutheran School in Mesa, won $500 and the Nicholas Maxim Award for special needs students in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
KPIX-TV, San Francisco - 9-Year-Old Girl With No Hands Wins National Handwriting Contest
The nine-year-old from Virginia just won the 2018 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest’s Nicholas Maxim Award. The third-grader’s cursive handwriting was chosen as the nation’s best among students with special needs.
Victoria Advocate - Area handwriting champions out-pen competition
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School seventh-grader Benjie Corpuz is well-written with the write stuff.
Yahoo News UK - 9-Year-Old Virginia Girl Born Without Hands Wins National Handwriting Contest
Anaya Ellick, 9, participated in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest under a special needs category and took out the penmanship prize on Wednesday.
The Miami Herald - Third-grader was born with no hands — and just won an award for her cursive writing
A Chesapeake, Virginia, third-grader has won two national awards for her exceptional skill in handwriting. That's pretty remarkable on its own — except there's also the fact she was born without hands.
WTKR-TV - Chesapeake child born without hands uses penmanship to overcome challenges
A Virginia third grader, who was born without hands, just won the national award for her impeccable cursive writing.
WXXV-TV - Good Cursive Wins Woolmarket Student State Title
Sixth grader Prince Warren was told he was the Mississippi grade-level winner of the contest during a special surprise.
Ozark Radio News - WPE student claims 2nd grade handwriting award
Luke Skeeters, a 2nd grader at West Plains Elementary School, has the best handwriting of 2nd graders in the state of Missouri.
The Town Lively - Yerkes Wins Handwriting Contest
Garrett Yerkes, a first-grade student at West Fallowfield Christian School, has been named Pennsylvania's first-grade winner for private schools in the 2018 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
The Dallas Post - Three Lehman-Jackson Elementary students among winners of handwriting contest
Three students found out they were among the winners of the state level Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest and will advance to the semi-final national round.
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise - St. John students recognized in handwriting contest
Six Bartlesville St. John Catholic students are state finalists in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. Their handwriting samples have been entered into the national competition.
WTAP-TV - Belmont student wins award in national handwriting contest
Elizabeth Gray is a first-grade state winner in the 2018 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. She will represent West Virginia and compete against other first-graders in the national competition.
KSDK-TV - Cursive won't become a lost art at this school
Kirk Day School in Town and County has a rich history of students being honored for handwriting. In the past five years, several students have been honored with state and national honors in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
News for 2017
Cornerstone Prep student wins first place in Handwriting Contest
Seventh grader Suzanne Whitney from Kennesaw, Georgia, won the state prize for her excellence in handwriting. This is the third year a student from Cornerstore Preparatory has won the state title in the National Handwriting Contest.
Hayes Elementary student national semifinalist in handwriting contest
Third-grader Emma Sullivan is named semi-finalist in the National Handwriting Contest for her superb cursive handwriting.
Mother Seton student wins national handwriting championship
Maryn Rajaski from Mother Seton School is considered a natural when it comes to handwriting. Maryn has won the state competition the past two years and now she has won the Grand National title.
Mother Seton School students earn national and state awards for handwriting
Maryn Rajaski's has worked hard to perfect her handwriting over the years. This year she won the third-grade level Grand National title in the Handwriting Contest.
National champion: Anasazi Elementary student honored for handwriting excellence
Paige Templet received distinction for her excellence in handwriting upon becoming the fourth-grade champion in the National Handwriting Contest.
Louisiana student earns top honors in national handwriting contest
Jakeya Duncan from Jonesville, LA, is one of two students nation-wide to be awarded the Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellence in cursive handwriting.
Reno kindergartner honored at Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest
Reno kindergartner, Priscilla Ton, recieved impressive distinction for her print manuscript in the 2017 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
First-grader awarded for excellence in print handwriting in national contest
First grade student, Julieta Brusco, from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas, was honored at school assembly for winning the National Handwriting Contest for her grade-level.
Forget texting: North St. Paul teen is national handwriting champ
Fifteen year-old, Jack Lieberherr, is a cursive king after winning the National Handwriting Contest two years in a row for his grade level.
First grader becomes national semi-finalist in handwriting competition
Mya Gauldin becomes semi-finalist in National Handwriting Competition for her excellent print manuscript.
The Write Stuff
Mya Gauldin, a first-grader from Dayton, Virginia, is the semi-finalist in the 2017 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest for the first grade level.
Woodland Student a Winner in National Handwriting Contest
Amanda Poulin, a seventh-grade student at Woodland Consolidated School in Woodland, Maine, won top honors for her superb handwriting skills.
Valley 1st grader becomes national semi-finalist in handwriting contest
First grade student, Mya Gauldin, from Ottobine Elementary School in Dayton, Virginia, proves she has what it takes to win after becoming semi-finalist in national handwriting contest.
Master of penmanship: Dover South’s Edy Baca Reynozo is grand national champ in handwriting
Edy Baca Reynozo, a second-grader from Dover South Elementary School in Dover, Ohio, won the National Handwriting Contest for his grade level. Reynozo began speaking english last year upon moving from Guatemala.
West Nashville Student Proves the Art of Handwriting May Not Have Been Lost
Second-grader, Emerson Darr, from Christ the King School in Nashville wins national award for her perfect print handwriting.
Schauman Wins Handwriting Award
Jace Schauman, a second grade student from Sleepy Eye Elementary School in Sleepy Eye, MN, is the state level winner for Minnesota in the 2017 Zaner Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Student's Penmanship Payoff
Helen Nguyen beats out seventh-graders from across the country to win 2017 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Competition.
Denver Third-Grader's Perfect Penmanship Wins Him a National $1,000 prize
Ben Myers, a third-grader in Denver, PA, wins Nicholas Maxim award for outstanding handwriting. The Nicholas Maxim award is given to two special needs students across the country each year.
Incarnate Word Academy Elementary Home of National Handwriting Champion
A first grade student at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi received a trophy and $1000 at a school assembly. Julieta Brusco represents the best in handwriting by winning the 2017 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest for her grade.
IWA First-Grader Earns National Penmanship Award
7-year-old student, Julieta Brusco, from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi wins the 2017 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
'Cool' for Monroeville to keep state handwriting championship going
Sixth-grade student Mallory Roeder, from Monroeville, OH, wins state handwriting contest for the third time in a row.