Fourth-grader wins through stroke of a pen

Brittney Desmond has a signature worth a second and third glance.

The St. Joseph Catholic School fourth-grader recently was named the 2008 State Handwriting Winner in the National Handwriting Contest. More than 1,500 students competed in the competition sponsored by Zaner-Bloser Educational Publishers, the nation’s largest leading publisher of handwriting programs for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Catholic schools have historically placed a strong emphasis on good handwriting skills,” St. Joseph principal Rose Tindall said. “We are excited Brittney received such a prestigious honor.”

Dennis Williams, national product manager for Zaner-Bloser, explained that students who follow structured handwriting curricula throughout elementary and middle school typically score higher on standardized tests.

Brittney will go on to complete at the national level.

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Come hear the music.

The Allen University Department of Music has launched its 2008 Spring Concert Series.

The next performance will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Allen University Student Center and will feature the Assembly Saxophone Quartet.

Other upcoming events include the Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the student center, and the University Choirs Springs Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bishops Memorial AME Church, 2221 Washington St., Columbia.

All events are free and open to the public.

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Tickets are on sale for The South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division’s second annual Justice Jam.

The event, which raises funds for the Bar’s Pro Bono Program, will be 7 p.m. April 26 at the Five Points Pub, 2020 Devine St. in Columbia.

Proceeds from the event will be used to pay court costs and filing fees for indigent residents whom South Carolina attorneys agree to represent at no charge.

Tickets to Justice Jam are $15. To purchase, contact Tara Smith at (803) 799-6653, ext. 146.