Sacred Heart student named finalist in contest
COSHOCTON – Lacey Richcreek wasn’t sure what to think when she was presented with her recent award.

Award: Sacred Heart fifth grade student Lacey Richcreek was chosen as a finalist in the Second Annual Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellent Penmanship Contest sponsored by the Zaner-Bloser publishing company. The winners will be announced by Saturday, April 20. Photo contributed to The Beacon
“It was April Fool’s day so I thought it was a joke,” she said.
Richcreek, a fifth grader at Sacred Heart School, soon realized that she was indeed a finalist in the second annual Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellent Penmanship contest sponsored by the Zaner-Bloser Publishing Company.
The 11-year-old was entered into the contest by Jan Kinder who teaches language arts to the schools fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
“I had to write my name and copy a sentence all in cursive,” Richcreek said.
She also explained why good penmanship is important.
“It’s important because other people need to be able to read your writing,” Richcreek said.
According to Kinder, the contest is for students who are faced with challenges.
“I have cerebral palsy,” Richcreek said. “It affects my handwriting because I can’t control my muscles exactly right.”
She works really hard on her handwriting and finding ways to not let her disability get in her way.
“I have a fat pencil that I like to write with,” Richcreek said. “I also normally use an iPad to type on.”
She received a certificate and wooden pen and case for her accomplishment. The winners of the contest will be announced by Saturday, April 20.
Kinder is glad she entered Richcreek in the contest, which helps show how important good handwriting is to our ability to communicate.
“I’ve written on the boards in cursive before at other schools and had kids tell me they couldn’t read it,” she said. “If you have the skill to write then that helps with the skill to read.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Education