What is The American Dream: "What it means to me" Essay Contest?

The American Dream Essay Contest is an opportunity for you to communicate what is important to you.

This year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming introduces The American Dream Contest, formerly known as the Laws of Life. This essay contest challenges you to think about the ten principles to live by that are described in the Cowboy Ethics book by the author James P. Owen.

This is a unique contest that will be challenging but fun. The rewards are substantial. All of us are concerned about America and the future. We believe The American Dream Essay Contest is a way for you to get in touch with the internal guidance system within yourself and help you with the increasingly tough decisions you will face in the future.

So enter The American Dream contest! This will be one project that could turn out to be profitable for you in more ways than one.

Simply choose one principle from the Code of the West, then write an essay about when you had to use the Cowboy Ethic that you selected. Students are encouraged to write in a positive and uplifting manner. Essays will be judged on content.

 

What are the Prizes?

Winners from each school will receive $300 (1st place) $200 (2nd place) and $100 (3rd place). The first place winner from each school will be placed in a state competition and be honored at the awards luncheon.

The state winner will receive a $3,000 cash award and the second place winner will receive $2,000 and third will receive $1,000.

Sponsors of fifteen or more students and sponsors with full class participation will receive $300.00.

Sponsor of 1st place State winner receives $1000.00, 2nd place State sponsor receives $750.00, and 3rd place State sponsor receives $500.00

 

What Must I Do To Be Eligible?

1. You must be a high school student at a participating high school in grades 10 - 12.

2. Your original essay must be titled, be between 300 and 2000 words in length, and focus upon one trait inherent in the laws of life.

3. Your essay must be typewritten and double-spaced.

4. Your sponsoring teacher must receive and submit your essay to the website by the March 9, 2012 deadline.

5. School first place winners must submit a photograph of themselves along with their winning essay submission. The photograph will be published The American Dream Essay Contest booklet.

Contest Notes:
•You are eligible to win only one finalist prize per contest. State contest winners may not enter another contest. .
•Essays must be judged locally to determine winners from each high school. A Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming committee will then judge first place winners from each high school to select State Winners.
•Entries become the possession of the Laws of Life contest committee. The award-winning entries may be made available for publication in local newspapers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming
1701 East K Street
Casper WY 82601
PH :(307) 473-5553
Fax: (307) 234-2511