Lucy Uher loves learning about the world around her.

From princess parties and sports to science projects and school, the 7-year-old Coaldale girl likes to dabble in a little bit of everything.

Recently, Lucy added another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments — winning the first-grade division of PBS’ Kids Young Writers Competition.

“I was not expecting to win,” she said. “I felt really, really surprised and happy.”

The inspiration for her story, titled “Go Fetch Win,” was her first best friend, her beloved dog Sophie.

At the time, the Uhers were going through a rough time because Sophie was sick and would soon cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

“I loved Sophie,” Lucy said.

Lucy wrote a beautiful piece about entering a fetch competition with Sophie as a way to help her in the grieving process.

“Lucy wanted to do something her dog loved because she knew Sophie was sick,” an excerpt of her story said. “Lucy wanted to lift her dog’s spirit.”

The duo entered the competition and Sophie won.

Lucy’s last page showed the pair, sitting beneath a rainbow.

“I put all my sadness into the drawings,” Lucy said as she paged through the story.

It took her a few weeks to illustrate and write “Go Fetch Win,” because of school, but Lucy’s entry was enough to garner recognition.

On July 2, Lucy and her family traveled to the WVIA studios to receive her plaque and tour the company.

“This was an incredible honor for Lucy, not only because she didn’t ever think she was going to win it, but more importantly because she wrote this book about our dog, Sophie, literally as she was dying,” her mother, Kerry, posted on Facebook. “Writing allowed Lucy to process, grieve and keep her beloved pup’s memory alive through her testament to her.”

Lucy plans to continue writing and drawing, showing off the many pictures and stories she created in her journals and is looking forward to beginning second grade at Panther Valley Elementary later this month.

“I love school,” she said, noting that some of her favorite subjects are gym, art, reading, music, science, writing and math. “Pretty much everything.”

When she’s not learning at school, Lucy can be found either playing volleyball, softball or soccer; perfecting her culinary skills in the kitchen with mom; using her imagination with her sister, Violet, and brother, John; or making memories with her family and friends.

Lucy is the daughter of John and Kerry Uher of Coaldale and the granddaughter of John and Josie Uher of Coaldale and Don and Sally Jones of Lansford.