Annie Clark, a 7-year-old born without hands, has won a national award for penmanship! The amazing little girl is a first grader at Wilson Christian Academy in the Pittsburgh-area, and has become an inspiration to the entire school and community.
She was awarded the Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellent Penmanship during a surprise assembly at her school on Wednesday, where she was given a trophy and a $1,000 prize from Zaner-Bloser, the textbook publishing company that sponsors the contest.
After accepting the award, Annie showed the audience how she writes, gripping the pencil steadily between her forearms. Despite her disability, Annie can use scissors and glue in class, has learned how to dress herself, feed herself, swim and ride a bike, and even tutors other students in penmanship!
“She is a studious and conscientious student who really strives for perfection,” her teacher Laura Erb said. “She is very determined to get it right. When she does any kind of writing, she wants to make sure that it’s clear and concise and she really takes pride in her work.”
“We don’t consider her a special ed [student], she’s just Annie, She picks up on things very quickly. She keeps pace with the classroom and the curriculum. This has been a very natural thing for her. She just did it, she wrote just like this. She didn’t have therapy.”
Annie’s mother Mary Ellen Clark talked about what it was like watching Annie accept the award in front of the whole school. She told GMA:
“She went up to receive the trophy and I could tell she was overwhelmed, but she was poised. Then I would say it started to sink in and I saw her smile and I could tell she was enjoying the moment.”
“This has given her a real sense of confidence. She is just proud to be her and as a parent, I’m just thrilled with that.”
What an inspirational story! Congratulation Annie!
