Sixth-grader's handwriting declared best in the nation

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In a time when most children prefer to clack away on keyboards, a sixth-grader at David Lipscomb Middle School has captured national honors for her handwriting. After winning first place in the state, Shelby Shacklett was selected as the Grand National Champion for her grade level in the 13th annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. Shacklett submitted a four-sentence sample of her handwriting in the contest. "This is a monumental honor because this is the first time Tennessee has ever had a winner on the national level," said Michael Jordan, principal of David Lipscomb Middle School and Shacklett's handwriting teacher. "We are very proud of Shelby and her work." "I am honored and excited that I won," said Shacklett. "Mr. Jordan has taught me for two years, and he has excellent penmanship himself." News of her national honors has many of Shacklett's friends and classmates anxious to see her award-winning handwriting. As a result, Shacklett has had several friends and classmates asking for her autograph since she won. David Lipscomb Middle School has had frequent winners at the state level of the contest, including five in the last four years. This year, Shacklett won first place in the state for the sixth grade and Samantha Hudson won first place for the seventh grade. National grade-level champions are awarded $500 savings bonds. The winners, along with their teachers and principals, receive an engraved desktop pen and holder. The champions and their classmates will also receive t-shirts from Zaner-Bloser. At the state level, champions and their teachers and principals receive an engraved pen, a framed certificate and a gift certificate for Zaner-Bloser materials. The Zaner-Bloser Company is based in Columbus, Ohio. It started the contest 13 years ago to recognize excellence in penmanship and to emphasize the importance of developing good handwriting early. In addition to being one of the nation's leading publishers of handwriting materials, the Zaner-Bloser Company also publishes reading, writing, spelling, and study skills programs. Shacklett is the daughter of Roger and Lisa Shacklett. Hudson is the daughter of Hank and Pam Hudson.