Handwriting for Humanity
MISSION STATEMENT
It shall be the purpose of Handwriting For Humanity to foster the study and use of hand-written communications.
The organization shall carry out this purpose through activities such as:
CREED:
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the soulful heart. It gives ideas tangible form through letters, pictographs, symbols, and signs. Handwriting forges a bond across millennia and generations that not only ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears, but also serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. Neither machines nor technology can replace or equal the contribution or continuing importance of this inexpensive portable skill. Necessary in every age, handwriting remains just as vital to the enduring saga of civilization as our next breath.
MOTTO:
EVERY HUMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO WRITE WELL.
the late John Schmits
The "BESSIE'S PEACE" Fund established by Thomas Hutson of Consultimate
and ...
an anonymous donor
Corporate Address:
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o
Kate Gladstone -
Handwriting Repair
NEW ADDRESS:
6-B Weis Road
Albany, New York 12208-1942
United States of America
PAST SPONSORS (not including any who continue as current sponsors):
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WHEN DOES THE CONTEST BEGIN AND END?
The World Handwriting Contest accepts entries each year from January 1 until June 30. To qualify for prizes in a given year, an entry must arrive on or before June 30 of that year.
The Contest judges and director will select winners each year, beginning in July and continuing if necessary through September.
Prize-winners' names and writing-samples typically appear on this web-page as soon as possible after the judging - in other words, July or August when possible (but, if necessary, beginning in September or October) and remain on display here for a full year (until after the judging of the next year's contest), after which the new prize-winners' names and writing-samples will replace them.
WHC distributes prizes to the contest-winners each year, distributing all prizes by December.
Mail your entry as early as possible. Postal systems can take several days or weeks to deliver an envelope, particularly when the mail must travel between countries. We cannot accept any facsimile (fax) or electronic submissions.
PLEASE NOTE: We ask each writer to submit only one entry each year. An individual who has written more than one entry must select only one entry to send. In order to avoid overwork for our judges, beginning in 2008 the World Handwriting Contest will disqualify writers who send more than one entry.
WHO MAY ENTER ?
Anyone in the world, of any age, may enter the World Handwriting Contest. (Due to numerous requests, for 2007 we have decided to open the contest to all age groups.) Our team of judges will evaluate your entry within ONE of the following age groups.
1. Children (age 7 and under)
2. Pre-Teens (ages 8 through 12)
3. Teens (ages 13 through 19)
4. Adults (ages 20 through 64)
5. Seniors (age 65 and over)
(PLEASE NOTE that the term "Children" now designates entrants age 7 and under. To establish a contest division for the youngest entrants, for 2007 and subsequent years we have re-named the division for ages 8 through 12 the "Pre-Teen" group instead of "Children" as in 2006 and previous years.)
Within each age group, the judges will sort submissions into two categories of handwriting:
WHC will award first and second prizes in each of these categories and subcategories.
PLEASE NOTE: the judges - not the contest entrants - determine the category and subcategory in which each entry belongs.
Use either lined or unlined paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches or A4 size.
Use any of the following writing instruments: ballpoint pen, fountain pen, felt/fiber tip marker, or calligraphy pen/brush. (Use the same writing instrument throughout the entry). Because we scan winning entries for display, please use only black ink and white or light-colored paper (plain or lined) with no pre-printed pictures or decorations.
The written quote must fit on the front side of ONE sheet of paper. Allow at least a 1/2-inch margin on all sides of the quote.
On the backside of your entry (not on the front), write in English your full name, your full address, your age on July 1 of the year in which you enter, your phone number, and your e-mail address (if any). Please do not use a separate piece of paper for this information, and please do not write this information on the front of the entry. The back of each entry must contain that entry's own identifying information.)
Students: If you wish your school to receive notification of a win, give the school's name and address along with your own name and address.. All personal information will remain confidential. The World Handwriting Contest will use student information only to notify winners and, in an aggregate manner, for research purposes.
You do not have to send your first attempt; in fact, we expect that you will not send your first attempt. Remember that the allotted time runs from January 1st through June 30th, so take all the time you need to practice and send your best effort.
DO NOT cross out or make erasures. Do NOT send "rough drafts." If you make a mistake, start over: do NOT erase, cross out, "white out," or cover up your errors. Visible erasures/cross-outs/cover-ups/"whiting out" will count more heavily against your work than the original errors themselves.
Contest judges will evaluate entries based on each entry's demonstrated
LEGIBILITY (how easily we can read the writing),
FLUENCY (the smoothness, grace, and flow of the writing),
and
COMPETENCE (choice of layout and margins; spacing between letters, words, and lines; consistency of letter size and forms; accuracy of the quote; neatness and general appearance; spelling; and whether the entrant strove to follow the letter and spirit of the Contest rules).
All entries become the property of the Contest. The World Handwriting Contest will not return submitted entries.
WHEN MUST I ENTER?
Mail or hand-deliver your entries (to the "Handwriting for Humanity/World Handwriting Contest" address below) in time to arrive on or before June 30th.
(Please note: until the first day of judging (July 1st), all material marked "World Handwriting Contest" or "Handwriting For Humanity" will remain unopened. If you have general inquiries about the contest and need a response before the judging begins, do not put the words "Handwriting for Humanity/World Handwriting Contest" onto the envelope.)
Do NOT mail your entries before January 1. We cannot accept entries with postmark-dates from the previous year.
FOR CHILDREN THROUGH AGE 12
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the heart. Handwriting ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears and serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. No machine or technology can replace the contribution or continuing importance of this skill. It has been necessary in every age and is just as vital to civilization as our next breath.
-Michael R. Sull-
FOR AGES 13 AND OVER
HANDWRITING: that action of emotion, of thought, and of decision that has recorded the history of mankind, revealed the genius of invention, and disclosed the inmost depths of the soulful heart. It gives ideas tangible form through written letters, pictographs, symbols, and signs. Handwriting forms a bond across millennia and generations that not only ties us to the thoughts and deeds of our forebears, but also serves as an irrevocable link to our humanity. Neither machines nor technology can replace the contribution or continuing importance of this inexpensive portable skill. Necessary in every age, handwriting remains just as vital to the enduring saga of civilization as our next breath.
-Michael R. Sull-
WHERE DO I MAIL MY ENTRY ?
All entries (handwritten copy-quotes in your handwriting) must go directly to this new address for 2008 and future years:
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o Kate Gladstone - Handwriting Repair
6-B Weis Road
Albany, New York 12208-1942
United States of America
| Ann Alaia Woods - Columbus, Ohio, USA:
OUR REIGNING PEN-CHAMP! |
Ann Alaia Woods has achieved the honor of the WHC World Champ-PEN-Ship for 2007, becoming World PEN-Champ through her excellence in the World Handwriting Contest for 2007 [See below - age 65 and above, Artistic Handwriting, first place.] She previously reigned as World PEN-Champ in 2005 and 2006.
In the Contest's World Champ-PEN-Ship round each year, we compare first-prize entries in the World Handwriting Contest with first-prize entries in one or more other handwriting contests that have asked to take part in the World Champ-PEN-Ship.
In the Champ-PEN-Ship for 2007, five other handwriting contests took part along with the World Handwriting Contest — click here for details on these other participating contests.
From this international, inter-contest comparison, World Handwriting Contest participant Ann Alaia Woods has emerged victorious as World PEN-Champ of 2007. Her sample also appears below within its age/division ranking in the Contest.
| first place: | Janet H. Manerud |
| Moraga, California |
|
| USA |
| second place: | Frank E. Rutkowski |
| Rochester, New York | |
| USA | |
| first place: | Judyth Ann Smith |
| Tyler, Texas | |
| USA | |
| second place: | (no winner in this subcategory this year) |
| first place: | Ann Alaia Woods |
| Columbus, Ohio | |
| USA |
THREE-TIME WINNER: in two earlier World Handwriting Contests (2005 and 2006), Ann Alaia Woods won first prizes in the Senior Division for Functional Handwriting (Cursive — 2005; Artistic — 2006) in the Senior Division. Ann Alaia Woods has also (see above) become World PEN-Champ for 2007, an honor she previously held in 2005 and 2006. This contest has now become a THREE-TIME WINNER, whose name appears in perpetuity on the TRIPLE CROWN LIFETIME WINNERS page. To keep the field open for new contestants, LIFETIME WINNERS do not enter future World Handwriting Contests after receiving the LIFETIME WINNER title. Will YOU become our next LIFETIME WINNER?
| second place: | Manohar Vishnu Dharphale |
| Indore, Madhya Pradesh | |
| India | |
| first place: | Christine
Duffy |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | |
| UK |
| second place: | Tracey J. Schaal |
| Boston, Massachusetts | |
| USA | |
TWO-TIME WINNER: in an earlier (2006) World Handwriting Contest, Tracey J. Schaal won a first prize for functional Handwriting (Manuscript) in the Adult Division.
| first place: | Kathryn G. Bougie |
| Plymouth, Minnesota | |
| USA |
| second place: | Radoslaw Olkowicz |
| Andrespol | |
| Poland | |
| first place: | Hana Ihaya |
| Lake Forest, California | |
| USA |
| second place: | David M. Price |
| Wakefield,
West Yorkshire |
|
| UK | |
| first place: | Sarah Maria Smith |
| Hankins,
New York |
|
| USA | |
| second place: | Xavier Robles |
| Burbank, Illinois | |
| USA | |
| first place: | Kyna Xu |
| Westmont, Illinois | |
| USA | |
| second place: | Nancy Nguyen |
| Lawrence, Massachusetts | |
| USA | |
| first place: | Gabriel Ruaro |
|
Pasig, Metro Manila |
|
| Philippines | |
| second place: | (no entrants in this category this year) |
| first place: | Thomas Michael Stein |
| Hankins, New York | |
| USA | |
| second place: | Kelly Anderson |
| Hankins, New York | |
| USA | |
| first place: | Anish Jain |
| Baldwin,
New York |
|
| USA | |
| second place: | No prize was awarded in this subcatigory |
| First place: | (no entrants in this subcategory this year) |
| second place: | (no entrants in this subcategory this year) |
| first place: | Britney de Silva |
| New Barnet, Herts | |
| UK | |
| second place: | no winner in this subcategory |
| first place: | Raymond Anderson |
| Hankins, New York | |
| USA | |
CLICK HERE to see this writer's prize-winning sample!
second place: Theodre Feldman Hankins, New York USA
| first place: |
|
| second place: | (no entrants in this subcategory this year) |
WHC evaluates handwriting quality on these factors:
World Handwriting Contest winners for future years probably will write this well or better, too.
However, these handwritings (below) do not come up to the expected level of quality.
Writings like these do not tend to do well in the World Handwriting Contest.
Generally, WHC does not require or prefer handwriting to adhere to this or that specific style of writing. An entry that follows a given handwriting-method does not receive "extra credit" from WHAC over an equally high-quality entry which shows a "mixed" influence, and/or which otherwise departs from one or more particulars of a taught system of penmanship.
WHC will distribute its prizes for this year's Contest before the conclusion of the current calendar year. (Distribution of prizes may begin as late as mid-October). Additionally, the management of the WHC has already begun arranging to obtain prizes and sponsorship for the next year's Contest. (Want to help? Let us know!)
Each winning entrant
will receive at least one prize.
WHC will award at least two prizes in each of its age-divisions (a first prize and a second prize).
For the current year, each winner will receive one or more fine writing instruments or other writing-related products donated by one or more of our sponsors. Prizes this year may include fountain pens, calligraphy kits, books on calligraphy or fine handwriting, stationery sets, and/or other items as availability permits.
What does WHC's future hold?
/1/ First and foremost, for 2007 and future years writers of ALL ages may enter the contest. Our previous limitation of entry to those aged 8 and above came from a concern among some judges that younger entrants might lack the skill or the desire to compete against others. However, we have learned better: thanks to numerous requests from parents, teachers, entrants, and (most of all) from those aged 7 and under who wished to enter but who could not enter under the old rules. For 2007 and thereafter, we have therefore established a "Children" group for these youngest entrants. Accordingly, we have re-named the previous "Children" group (entrants 8 through 12) the "Pre-Teen" group for 2007 and future years.
/2/ As always, in the current year and future years we plan to continue encouraging the ever-increasing participation in this worldwide contest, through media outreach and other means. This will depend on support from our sponsors (and any other interested individuals) in the coming year and future years.
/2/
In addition, we plan to continue expanding our top-level "World Champ-PEN-Ship" round of inter-contest competition, which provides WHC first-prize winners with the opportunity to test their skills against the first-prize winners of other handwriting contests (such as the PEN WORLD Handwriting Contest in years when this operates separately from the WHC, the Handwriting Contest of the Society for Italic Handwriting, and other contests which come to our attention and which would like to participate) for the ultimate prize of "World PEN-Champ.") In previous years, participating contests have included the Handwriting Contest of PEN WORLD INTERNATIONAL magazine, the Handwriting Contest of the Society for Italic Handwriting, the Young Innovators' Club Handwriting Contest established by Indian businesswoman Maya Balani, and the CHAMBER Handwriting Contest established by Akron, Ohio community leader Jane A. Polk. We hope to continue adding more international, national, and local/regional contests each year to our World Champ-PEN-Ship roster.
CONTESTS CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN THE WORLD HANDWRITING CONTEST'S
WORLD CHAMP-PEN-SHIP ROUND:
/1/ the World Handwriting Contest itself
/2/ since 2000, the worldwide handwriting contest of the Society for Italic Handwriting (SIH) - for information, e-mail SIH Secretary Nick Caulkin.
/3/ since 2005, the India-wide handwriting contest of the Young Innovators Club (For information, e-mail Young Innovators founder Maya Balani.)
/4/ in 2007, the "Cursive Connections" contest established at the ROCHESTER [New York] DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE newspaper by senior editor Jim Memmott
and
/5/ also in 2007, the school-wide contest of the Al Ebdaa Model School (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
We believe that top-flight competition among established prize-winners in penmanship greatly encourages public interest in handwriting.
If you - or some person/organization you know - runs or promotes a handwriting contest of any sort (local, state-level, regional, national, or other), we would like to work along with you to create future top-level prize/publicity/other opportunities for your penmanship champions and ours.
We would take particular interest in working along with handwriting contests run by:
HANDWRITING FOR HUMANITY
World Handwriting Contest
c/o Kate Gladstone - Handwriting Repair
6-B Weis Road
Albany, New York 12208-1942
United States of America
ATTENTION: Champ-PEN-Ship/
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
/2/
WHC's future plans also include conducting handwriting-surveys and other data-collection/research/publication to document the current state of handwriting in the USA and other nations, and to make the public aware of the state of our handwriting.
Using handwriting-contest entries and other data on the state of handwriting worldwide, over the coming years WHC hopes to provide the public with listings of which nations/regions/cities show the most (and the least) legible handwriting.
(As opportunity offers, WHC may also conduct surveys/data-collection regarding other aspects of handwriting.)
Implementing these plans will depend on available funding, sponsorship, and public interest. Once WHC can implement these plans, we will post results to this site as they become available.
WHC (the World Handwriting Contest) wishes to thank its past sponsors for their provision of prizes and other support.
PAST SPONSORS
(not including those who continue as
current sponsors) —
Again - we wish you
Good Luck ...
... and Happy Writing!