Qualifying Article in The News Journal

Here is another well-written, qualifying article I found in the The News Journal (Wilmington, DE), titled, “Teens live for faith, prayer, rock 'n' roll.”

Dan Shortridge writes:

Four thousand heads simultaneously bowed in prayer. Eight thousand clasped hands rose high.

But the solemn silence filling the cavernous room was the exception Saturday, as this resort town played host to a gathering of thousands of United Methodist youths and adults from across the region, whipping them into a frenzy of faith.

The event's message was one of good works and religion in action: "No matter how old you are, God can use you," the Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball told the teens. "God can work through you, too."

Yet make no mistake: Teenagers being teenagers, the big draw for many was the music.
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Later in the story, Shortridge tells how the organizers arrived at the conference’s “whatever” theme:

The theme for the event, "Whatever," was not a slogan for the slacker generation, but instead an exhortation from Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

This clear scripture citation qualifies the article for the Amy Writing Awards. I know it’s early, but I have a good feeling about 2008 in terms of finding good stories like Shortridge’s on the internet.

Keep up the good work, Dan!