Local boy wins campaign for Cursive International Contest

MONROE — Duvy Burston is the winner of the second annual Campaign for Cursive International Cursive Writing Contest.

The contest, called “Cursive is Cool,” challenged students to write an essay in cursive, explaining why it is important to continue learning and teaching the skill of writing cursive.

Entrees were judges on both content as well as hand-writing.

Duvy, 12, was encouraged to enter the contest by his teacher, Mrs. Heidi Leonard of Washingtonville, who recognized his interest in learning cursive.

“It was exciting to win a big international contest,” Duvy said. “Now that I know how to write in cursive I use it all the time.”

In his essay Duvy wrote that “with a bit of practice, I mastered the uppercase and lowercase alphabets in a matter of just about a fortnight. I feel confident, and sign formal letters, all while appearing professional because of my mastery of script.”

Duvy is the son of Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston. He attends Cheder Chabad of Monsey and lives in Monroe. , He received an award certificate as well as a beautiful fountain pen as recognition for his achievement.

The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, creators and coordinators of the contest, had an overwhelming response with entries from eight states across the U.S. and this year from Canada as well.

“The contest was our way of getting kids to practice their cursive and to think about why they like it,” said Campaign for Cursive Chair Gayna Scott. “We received some great entries. It was nice to read the fun reasons kids like cursive and the wonderful samples they submitted of their best handwriting.”

Sponsors for the contest include Fahrney’s Pens, New American Cursive, Fundanoodle, ThinkBoard and the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation.

Campaign for Cursive is a grassroots, all-volunteer movement gaining support across the country and now across the world. National Handwriting Day events in January of this year promoting cursive handwriting took place in at least 16 states and five foreign countries affiliated with the Campaign for Cursive. In schools, public libraries, historical societies, radio and TV stations across the world, everyone was encouraged to pick up a pen and write.

More information is available at campaignforcursive.com and cursiveiscool.com.