A young student by the name of E’lon Hamilton at West Mound Elementary has taken the initiative to resurrect the fading art of cursive writing among his peers. With a club called Cursive for Kids, E’lon has set out to teach the skill to other children, starting with his fellow second and fourth graders. In a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools News, Principal Margaret Brown expressed her support for the initiative, posing only the question, "Can you write in cursive?" to which E’lon demonstrated his proficiency fluently.
Held every Wednesday during their lunch period, the club allows students to gradually master cursive at their own pace. Each session starts with E’lon explaining the objectives for the day, "I will let you do this on your own, but if you need help, just let me know," according to Columbus City Schools News. He consistently offers assistance. Despite being the leader, E’lon practices right alongside his peers, emphasizing the continuous need to finely hone the craft.
The club's beginnings were modest, with the first session dedicated primarily to team-building exercises, such as decorating binders. Soon after, students got down to practicing cursive writing, with E’lon providing feedback to encourage and refine their skills. His comments like "You're close, but you already get the hang of it," and "I can tell you are getting there," were noted in the interview by Columbus City Schools News.
E’lon began learning cursive at the tender age of four, thanks to his parents' tutelage. Noting that many of his classmates weren't able to read or write in cursive, E’lon felt compelled to share this essential skill. "One day I was thinking about cursive, and I thought, 'What if I taught other kids cursive and then they will learn cursive?'" According to Columbus City Schools News, E’lon remarked in the interview, viewing this assimilation of an almost bygone form of writing as a duty to educate and a legacy to pass down.
As well as a means of communication, E’lon sees cursive writing as a pathway to building character. "I am excited that a lot of other kids will know how to write in cursive, read cursive, and I believe that they're going to grow up to be very good people," he stated through Columbus City Schools News. Highlighting the practicality of cursive for tasks like signing checks, E’lon connects his teachings directly with everyday adult responsibilities. Principal Brown, too, has faith in the continuity of E’lon's endeavor and the potential for it to spark further innovation among the student body. This young leader is teaching more than just letterforms; he is imbuing his peers with a sense of confidence and agency.
