Ayana Ellick was born with no hands. This does not stop her from winning writing competitions. She was in the third grade when she won two national awards for her exceptional skills in handwriting. That's pretty remarkable on its own and exceptional for a girl born without hands.
Hailing from Chesapeake, Virginia, Anaya was named the winner for the Nicholas Maxim Award, part of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. The award recognises special-needs students who develop a mastery over handwriting.
Even though she was born without hands on either arm she does not use prosthetics. She learned to hold a pencil between her arms to draw and write.
Two years ago, she made headlines across the world when she was named a winner in the contest's print category. And she won again for her mastery of cursive script.
To be eligible for the Nicholas Maxim Award, the entrant must have a cognitive delay or an intellectual, physical or developmental disability, and a team of therapists judges each entry.
Tracy Cox, the principal at Greenbrier Christian Academy, where Anaya is a student, said that it was her idea to enter the contest.
“She is a hard worker", Cox said “She is determined. She is independent. She is a vivacious and a no-excuses type of young lady.”
After her first win, the contest organisers said in a news release that Ellick was determined to practise her cursive and come back to win the award a second time.
“Anaya does not let anything stand in her way of reaching her goals,” Cox wrote after Anaya won the 2018 award. “She ... has some of the best handwriting in her class. Her determination is inspiring and contagious to all of us at Greenbrier Christian Academy.”
Anaya's teacher Sarah Cannaday said, “Anaya is a role model to other students. "Her classmates see her doing the same tasks they do and they are often amazed that she can do just as well as them sometimes even better.” s
Anaya’s mother Bianca said, “I’m proud because it encourages her ... for her to see that hard work does pay off.”
Gary Ellick, Anaya's father said, “Anaya has always been independent. It was always like ‘I can do it.’ So, that just carried on over the years.”
Anaya was honoured at the school assembly too. The school also shared photos of her with her new trophy and examples of her writing.
Another victory notch in her belt doesn't mean she's slowing down. "Winning the contest wasn’t really hard anyway," said Anaya. So what's next on her plate? "Sports," she said. So we await the next victory of brave young Anaya.
- Internet