The Ruth Institute, a project of the National Organization for Marriage Education Fund, announces Amy Flammanio as the winner of the Early Bird Contest of its first annual Reel Love Challenge, a video contest for young adults around the country inviting them to share what lasting love in marriage looks like to them.

The winning entry, called “Joy and Sacrifice,” was created by 23 year old Flamminio, a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska. As the winner, Mrs. Flammanio will receive a Flip camera as well as the $100 participation prize awarded to early entrants. The Reel Love Challenge inspires young adults ages 18-30 to ask: Is lifelong love possible? What makes it possible? Why is it worth the effort?

Five other young adults will also receive $100 for their participation in the Early Bird portion of the Reel Love Challenge.

These winners include:

• Kendel Christensen, 25, from Brigham Young University
• Emily Deady, from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego
• Daniela McClintock, 21, a newly married Army wife from Texas
• Clarence Say, 19, from the University of California at San Diego
• Tara Stone, 25, from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, President of the Ruth Institute, stated, “I am inspired to see students and young adults taking marriage seriously. This lovely video, ‘Joy and Sacrifice,’ shows that young adults are engaging the question of what makes lifelong love possible. The next generation embraces marriage as a lifelong sexually exclusive union, and not just a contract of convenience. I urge young adults to contribute to this ongoing dialogue by submitting their own videos.”

Entries remain open for the contest until February 1, 2011. The grand prize will be $2,000, with runner up prizes of $1,500 and $1,000. The prizes will be partially based on “People’s Choice” voting. The public is encouraged to wach all the submissions and vote for their favorite video here.