When it comes to handwriting, 5th grader Jennifer Fata has the “write stuff.”
The 11-year-old from Sacred Heart School in Cullman, Ala., is the grand champion of the National Handwriting Contest, sponsored by Zaner-Bloser, a publisher of handwriting textbooks, and the Parker Pen company, a subsidiary of the Gillette Co.
Jennifer’s perfect penmanship was chosen last month as the best from more than 90,000 samples entered by students in grades 1-6 nationwide. As the national handwriting champ, she received a $500 U.S. savings bond, a plaque, and a Parker pen.
Steven Reiman played along when friends submitted his name as a part of a Cosmopolitan magazine search for eligible bachelors last December. The Fort Pierre, S.D., math teacher agreed to a half-hour interview by the magazine, sent in a picture of himself, then promptly forgot about it. Until last month.
The magazine’s “All About Men,” issue picked the 25-year-old teacher as one the country’s most eligible bachelors. Mr. Reiman didn’t even know of his selection until one of his female students, a senior, at Stanley County Middle and High School brought the magazine to class.
“It was fun for a while,” Mr. Reiman said.
A few personal tidbits about Mr. Reiman are included in the 2.2 million-circulation monthly women’s magazine--his life in a small town and his astrological sign (Virgo)--along with his picture and address. Mr. Reiman has received about 100 letters from women across the country. He said he’ll take some time to respond during the summer.
The Washington County, Utah, school district has named Kolene F. Granger its superintendent. Ms. Granger, an assistant superintendent of the Alpine district in American Fork, Utah, will replace Steven Peterson, who is retiring after 12 years in the 17,396-student system in St. George, Utah. Ms. Granger will start her new job next month with a salary of $77,000. ... The American Vocational Association has elected Brenda Hurst its 1997-98 president. Ms. Hurst is the assistant director for adult programs for the Kingsport, Tenn., schools. The Alexandria, Va.-based organization is a professional association of teachers, school administrators, and teacher educators.
--Adrienne D. Coles
e-mail: acoles@epe.org
