All photos via: WTKR
Do you remember Anaya Ellick? Back in 2016, the then 7-year-old, who was born without hands, won a Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellence in Manuscript Penmanship for her print writing. Now, two years later, 9-year-old Anaya has won the prestigious award again- this time for her cursive writing.
"I’m proud because it encourages her," said Anaya’s mother Bianca Middleton. "For her to see that hard work does pay off."
A third grade student at Virginia's Greenbrier Christian Academy, Anaya uses her forearms to write, a skill she learned from her grandmother. As her mother explains, the prosthetics "actually started to hinder her rather than help her. (Anaya) didn't want them anymore. She had already started learning how to do different things without them. She learned to write and draw without them."
After winning the award for her print writing, Anaya made it her mission to learn cursive to compete in this year's competition. Tracy Cox, a principal at her school said, "Anaya does not let anything stand in her way of reaching her goals. She is a hard worker and has some of the best handwriting in her class. Her determination is inspiring and contagious to all of us at Greenbrier Christian Academy."
It's inspiring to us all! Congratulations, Anaya on your second win!