Nick Warfle, 10, of Owego is one of six runners-up in the Subway "Every Sandwich Tells a Story" Summer Special contest. Nick's story is The Race to Red Onion Ranch.

 Although Nick may be a runner-up, what he did to tell his story, makes him a winner.

 Nick wrote his story in a most unique way; he used a special "speech generating" computer, a DynavoxMT4 that shows pictures/symbols in addition to words. 

 Why? Nick has Cerebral Palsy.

 The young boy's entry was one of some 1400 submitted by parents on behalf of their Pre-K to sixth grade children. His mother, Karen Warfle, who homeschools Nick, heard about the contest through her home school organization. The contest was sponsored by SUBWAY® and a leading publisher. 

 To view Nick's "The Race to Red Onion Ranch" story, go to  www.subwaykids.com/grownups/classroom/contestWinnerSummer.aspx#story1

 "I'm thrilled and very proud of Nick," Karen Warfle said. "He was so excited. He had a big smile on his face when he was told he won a prize. His face just lit up," Mrs. Warfle said.  

 Nick's mother explained that the Coburn Free Library in Owego, where they often visit, recently put his story in a binder and placed it at the front desk. She said the kids and adults who've read the story really enjoyed it.

 "Nick said when he gets his Subway gift card he's taking his father, Mark, his older sister, Emily, and me out to dinner to celebrate," Mrs. Warfle said.  

 This is only the second contest that Nick has entered, but in both cases he has won an award. The first time was for a local PBS Reading Rainbow contest. He won third place for his story, Emily Goes to the Park.

 In addition to writing, Nick enjoys swimming, horseback riding and hanging out with his friends. He's also involved in Challenger League baseball.  In fact, this past summer he played n the Challenger League World Series held in Rochester.  

 SUBWAY® partnered with a major children's publisher to hold the "Every Sandwich Tells A Story" Summer Special contest in order to encourage kids to write, read and also make conscious decisions to eat healthy and stay active. It was a chance to exercise their mind and body, said Heather Pastir, brand manager, SUBWAY® Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust (SFAFT).

 The Summer Special edition of the contest, which ran from July 1  until August 31, 2008, allowed parents to enter one entry for each child in the household. The contest was open to entrants in Pre-K to 6th Grade. 

 One of six runners up, Nick will receive a gift basket of Scholastic books for the home ($500 value) and a SUBWAY® gift card ($100). His and the five other runners up stories will appear on www.subwaykids.com. The grand prize winner, who was  announced in an Ad in Scholastic Parent & Child's December issue, which hits newsstands in late November, will receive athletic equipment to encourage healthy activities for kid ($5,000 value), a gift basket of Scholastic books for the home ($500 value), and a SUBWAY® gift card ($100). In addition, the story will be published on www.subwaykids.com.