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                  NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:  May 2009

www.amyfound.org

Contact:           James Russell, President  (517) 323-6233 or

                         Mary Spagnuolo

                         The Amy Foundation

                         P.O. Box 16091

                         Lansing, MI  48901

The Amy Foundation Awards $34,000 to 15 Writers — First Prize of $10,000 to Tony Woodlief for article in The Wall Street Journal

LANSING, MI—Tony Woodlief is the $10,000 first-prize winner of the 24th annual 2008 Amy Writing Award.  Tony received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina in Political Science (1990) and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Dept. of Political Science (2002).  His background is in non-profit management, policy analysis, business consulting, education, and corporate training, with strong presentation and writing skills.  His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, National Review, and WORLD Magazine, where he is a regular contributor. His short stories have appeared in Ruminate and Image, and his spiritual memoir, Somewhere More Holy, will be published by Zondervan in 2010.

His winning article, “OK, Virginia, There's No Santa Claus. But There Is God” thoughtfully revolves around a conversation with his 8-year old son Caleb, who says “I know there’s no Santa Claus.”  Acknowledging that “Caleb and his brothers will figure out the Santa secret eventually,” Woodlief resists “the elevation of science and reason to the exclusion of magic, of mystery, of faith.” 

As winner of the Amy Writing Awards $10,000 first prize, Tony Woodlief joins a growing list of authors who for 24 years have shown how a compelling presentation of biblical truth applied to the serious issues of life earns a legitimate place in mainstream print journalism.

The Amy Foundation will present the $10,000 first prize to Mr. Woodlief at the 2009 annual Michigan Prayer Breakfast, Wednesday, May 6, in Lansing.  This first prize presentation will be the Amy Foundation’s celebration of the 24th anniversary of the Amy Writing Awards.

The Amy Writing Awards program encourages writers to apply biblical principles to contemporary issues. Articles considered for awards must appear in mainstream print or online news publications and include at least one Bible quotation. The 2008 winning entries were selected from nearly 700 submissions published in the mainstream media (print and online) last year.

Other 2008 award winners are:

Business Unusual by Cal Thomas (The Citizen;  Fayetteville, GA) $5,000 Second Prize

 

We are the RV Care-A-Vanners by Nancy Hoag (The Pagosa Springs SUN;  Pagosa Springs, CO) $4,000 Third Prize

 

Life is always most beautiful choice by Jan White (Andalusia Star-News; Andalusia, AL) $3,000 Fourth Prize

 

An unforgettable Christmas aeromedical evaluation by Robert Robeson (Valentine Midland News; Valentine, NE)  $2,000 Fifth Prize

 

Soldier’s Sacrifice Can’t Be Ignored by Derek Maul (The Tampa Tribune;  Tampa, FL) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

What’s on your bucket list? by Dr. Michael Helms (The Moultrie Observer;  Moultrie, GA) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Investing in your spiritual wealth by David Marotta (The Daily Progress;  Charlottesville, VA) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

A love we can live with by Dr. Delvyn Case, Jr. (Portland Press Herald;  Portland, ME) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Letting go of hatred, moving on with forgiveness by Paul Pinkham (The Florida Times-Union) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

The challenge of affluence by Mark Hendrickson (The Washington Times) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Pastor Father is God’s love personified by Brenda Norris (Bangor Daily News;  Bangor, ME) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Bible shows the way out of sin and addiction by John B. Freeman (The Philadelphia Daily News;  Philadelphia, PA) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Oprah’s Church:  Celebrating all beliefs by Rev. Steve Cornell (The Morning Call;  Allentown, PA) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

 

Thanksgiving for my country and my God! by Doris Mataya (The Roseburg Beacon;  Roseburg, OR) $1,000 Award of Outstanding Merit

Copies of the winning entries are available upon request or can be reviewed on our website (www.amyfound.org).  Entries for the 2009 Amy Awards competition should be submitted to the Amy Writing Awards, P.O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901, and be postmarked by January 31, 2010.

The Amy Foundation believes the historic value system of Western Civilization springs from the Judeo-Christian ethic and must be preserved to ensure a strong America. In addition to the Amy Writing Awards, the Foundation sponsors the Amy Syndicate (www.amyfound.org) and the Church Writing Group Ministry. It also publishes and distributes the Discipled Nation Plan Curriculum.

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