Winners of 2008 Christian Worldview Essay Contest

The First Prize of $3000 plus 15 books goes to Jeremy Mills of Tullahoma, Tennessee, for his essay "Under God?"

The Second Prize of $2000 plus 10 books goes to Devra Dato-On of Richardson, Texas, for her essay "Unless the Lord Build the House."

The Third Prize of $1000 plus five books goes to Jesse Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for his essay "Foundations for a Free Capitalistic Republic."

Congratulations to our three winners, and thanks to all those who entered the Contest. All entrants had to read the book "Freedom and Capitalism: Essays on Christian Politics and Economics" by Dr. John W. Robbins and write an essay about the book.



The First Prize winner is Jeremy Mills.

Biography:  Prior to college, I was homeschooled K-12 and graduated through Gateway Christian Schools. During my high school career, I was very active in the Tennessee 4-H program where I held numerous leadership positions. These included 2005-2006 4-H Speaker of the Senate and 2007 Tennessee 4-H State Council President. On the national level, I was privileged to serve as a member of the 2007 National 4-H Congress Youth Leadership Team. I also participated in 4-H Public Speaking and on several 4-H Judging Teams. I was also an active member of the Boy Scouts of America where I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I am currently enrolled at Motlow State Community College in southern middle Tennessee. I am in my sophomore year of the college’s two-year university parallel program and plan to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University in the fall of 2009. My major is Business Administration; however, political science is a subject very near and dear to me, and I am giving consideration to changing my major. I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges and currently serve as the Vice-President of the Motlow Student Government Association. When school is not keeping me busy, I enjoy working out and am also an avid fan of the sport of paintball, and I enjoy playing it as often as I can.

I would like to thank both my family and my pastor for all the love, help, and encouragement they have given to me. I thank the Lord for the blessing of having them in my life. I also thank Him for using this opportunity to further develop my mind and worldview in a manner that is pleasing to Him. I highly value the concepts in Freedom and Capitalism by John W. Robbins, which have been engrained into my mentality, and I consider it one of the most influential books I have read.

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The Second Prize winner is Devra Dato-On.

Biography: I am a resident of Texas and a member of Dallas Reformed Baptist Church. I was homeschooled from my primary years through high school and now am a college sophomore enrolled at Collin County Community College. I am also taking correspondence courses at Judson College (AL) where I will complete my degrees in Music and English. I have studied Classical piano for 11 years and have loved reading and writing, particularly on the subject of American history. Studying about our country’s history and government has always been a particular enjoyment, which prompted me to enter various essay contests. It was a privilege to receive awards in contests sponsored by the Texas Sons of American Revolution, the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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The Third Prize winner is Jesse Smith.

Biography: Jesse Smith grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where he majored in philosophy. Shortly after returning to Colorado Springs upon graduation, he ended up on the Trinity Foundation website where he discovered the works of Gordon H. Clark and John W. Robbins. God directed him to Trinity Covenant Reformed Church where he and his wife, Cathy, are currently going through the membership process. Jesse works as a high school special education paraprofessional, and he is considering becoming a special education teacher. When he is not reading and thinking about theology, politics, and economics, he takes long walks with his wife. 

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