May 6, 2015

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - May 06, 2015) - Out of approximately 300,000 handwriting entries, 18 students, from private and public schools, emerged to represent their grade level as the very best in handwriting. Today, Zaner-Bloser announced both the National Semifinalists as well as those students who advanced as Grand National Grade-Level Champions in the 2015 National Handwriting Contest . Public and private schools first held their own handwriting contests, and entered each winning student, grades kindergarten through eighth, into the national contest. Kindergarten through second grade students submitted manuscript (or print) entries, and those in third through eighth grade wrote in cursive. Judges then selected state winners in grades kindergarten through eighth for both public and private schools based on the Zaner-Bloser Keys to Legibility: Shape, Size, Spacing and Slant. The State Winners then competed to become National Grade-Level Semifinalists and Grand National Champions. "These talented students inspire us all and clearly demonstrate the links between handwriting and academic achievement," says Bob Page, president of Zaner-Bloser. "Research continues to show that students can benefit from putting pencil to paper as early as pre-K when it comes to developing literacy and fine motor skills. " Grand National Grade-Level Champions include: Grade K: Julius Rossowski - Lake Charles, LA - TS Cooley Elementary School Grade 1: Quade Wilson - Columbia, SC - St. Joseph's School Grade 2: Emilia Poczatek - Chicago, IL - St. Constance School Grade 3: Peyton Leigh Posadas - Raleigh, NC - Grace Christian School Grade 4: Colleen Osgood - Corpus Christi, TX - Seashore Learning Center Grade 5: Mallory Ann Gilberston - Hattiesburg, MS - Sacred Heart Catholic School Grade 6: Jack Edward Liberherr - White Bear Lake, MN - St. Anne Academy Grade 7: Addysen Hora - Longmont, CO - Flagstaff Academy Grade 8: Stephanie Geigel - Clifton, VA - St. Andrew The Apostle School Zaner-Bloser estimates that approximately 4 million students have participated in the contest throughout its 24-year history. Each Grand National Champion earns a trophy, a check for $1,000 and educational materials for their school valued at $1,000. In addition, the teacher of each Grand National Grade-Level Champion is awarded with a trip to the International Literacy Association (ILA) Annual Conference in St. Louis this July. During each year's contest, Zaner-Bloser awards a combined total of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes to the winning students, their teachers and schools. Congratulations to the following National Grade-Level Semifinalists: Grade K: Kira Luna - Corpus Christi, TX - Incarnate Word Elementary School Grade 1: Gracie James - Lehman, PA - Lehman Jackson Elementary School Grade 2: Audrey Brielle Hudson - Nashville, TN - Percy Priest Elementary School Grade 3: Bianca Farro - Lincroft, NJ - St. Leo The Great School Grade 4: Allie Cabiles - Santa Maria, CA - Valley Christian Academy Grade 5: Puja Patel - Ashwaubenon, WI - Valley View Elementary School Grade 6: Alexis Grace Dalton - Enid, OK - Pleasant Vale Elementary School Grade 7: Daniel Francis Lyman - Winchester, VA - Sacred Heart Academy Grade 8: Justin Menza - New Tazewell, TN - Midway Elementary School Many schools will honor all of the individual students for their national accomplishments. For more information on the 2015 National Handwriting Contest, visit https://www.zaner-bloser.com/national-handwriting-contest . About Zaner-Bloser Zaner-Bloser is an educational curricula and digital resources provider with over 125 years of experience in delivering foundational skills in handwriting, composition, language arts and literacy. Our flexible solutions support educators in their mission to help students learn. We provide dynamic, appealing and effective educational programs and services to inspire all students to become lifelong learners and partner with educators to improve results in the classroom. With an ever-growing number of digital technologies and evolving research shaping the education landscape, Zaner-Bloser is committed to meeting schools' needs today -- and in the future. For more information, visit www.zaner-bloser.com . Contact Information