A Natrona County High School Senior has the winning entry for the American Dream Essay Contest. Lily Lower received a total of $5,300 for her essay titled “Let Life Be”. It was chosen as the top entry out of more than 600 essays submitted in the statewide competition.

 

 

Calbi Ausmann from Newcastle received $3,300 for her second place essay and Brianna Reeves from Torrington won $1,800 for her third place essay. The awards were handed out Sunday in Casper. Senator John Barrasso addressed the crowd with wisdom from his own parents including what his mother always told him “This is the most important year of your life!” He also encouraged the students to “Aim so high that you will never get bored.”

 

The American Dream Essay Contest is centered on bestselling author, Jim Owen’s “Ten Principles to Live By,” as highlighted in his book Cowboy Ethics. Every high school and homeschool student is invited to participate by asking students in grades 9-12, to reflect on the ten principles and write an essay based on their own personal beliefs or guiding forces.

 

A total of 664 students, representing 25 schools, participated in this year’s contest. Monetary awards are given for first, second, and third place winners on the local level. The first place winner from each school is forwarded to the state competition where their essay was evaluated by a separate panel of judges to determine the state winner. The top essay wins $5,000 cash, second place receives $3,000 and third $1,500. Sponsoring teachers also receive monetary incentives for participation and a prize if their student’s essay wins at the state level. A total of $35,000 was awarded in prize money.

 

The American Dream Essay contest is sponsored by the Templeton Foundation, Zimmerman Family Foundation, Robert P. Schuster, Larry and Margo Bean, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming.