5th Grader  Madeline Launstein named a National Winner in the 20th Annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest

Madeline Launstein, a fifth grade student at Big Pine Academy, is one of 16 students from across the country that have displayed excellent handwriting skills to become national winners in its 20th annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. This year, more than 220,000 students participated in the annual contest. Zaner-Bloser estimates that more than 2.5 million students have participated in the contest during its 20-year history.  Madeline is the daughter of Jodie and David Launstein of Ramrod Key.

Big Pine Academy was proud to submit Madeline’s entry into the contest. She represented the best handwriting from our school. Her entry was judged according to the Zaner-Bloser Keys to Legibility: Size, Shape, Spacing and Slant.

“I am very proud of Madeline,” said Principal Cathy Hoffman.   “We believe that handwriting is an invaluable skill that is critical to developing literacy and leads to academic and career success.”

Judges selected state winners in Grades 1-8 for both public and private schools. State winners competed against each other to become one of the 16 public and private National Grade Level Winners. The National Grade Level Winners then competed to be chosen as one of eight Grand National Champions. 

The annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest encourages legible handwriting by testing the abilities of students in Grades 1-8 in both Public and Private Schools who use the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting program.

As a National Winner, Madeline Launstein won a trophy and a $250.00 cash prize, Her teacher, Mrs. Kim Thompson, won a $500.00 Zaner-Bloser Gift Certificate, and Big Pine Academy won a Handcrafted Certificate by Zaner-Bloser Master Penman Michael Sull.

Zaner-Bloser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highlights for Children with more than 120 years of experience in education, is one of the premier publishers of research-based reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting programs. The Zaner-Bloser mission is to create dynamic, appealing and effective educational programs and services. Zaner-Bloser focuses on distinctive programs that inspire all students to become engaged, literate participants in the global society.