Updated 5/28/2021 6:36 AM
Even from behind a mask, the smile on Rhys Acas face was obvious when the St. Thomas More Catholic School kindergartner was called to the front of his class Thursday.
The Rev. Ryan Browning waited for him, holding the object that was making Rhys light up his trophy for being named the kindergarten-level winner of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
Held annually for the past 30 years, the contest is open to all students in kindergarten through eighth grade and attracts approximately 80,000 entries a year. Rhys was the only winner from Illinois this year. He s also the first student from St. Thomas More to win nationally in the nine years the school has participated in the contest.
Elgin school mourns loss of teacher who poured her heart and her soul into job
St. Thomas More Catholic School eighth-grade teacher Missy Craig died unexpectedly last weekend. She s pictured waving at students during a car parade in the school parking lot in April, 2020, so teachers could get a little face-time with their students during the early stages of the pandemic. Rick West | Staff Photographer
Andrea Rivera, a former student at St. Thomas More Catholic School, signs a memorial sign near the entrance of the Elgin school for eighth-grade teacher Missy Craig, who died unexpectedly last weekend. She definitely shaped me to be the student I am today, said Rivera, 17, a senior at St. Edward Central Catholic High School.