High school students win writing awards

Three Hot Springs County High School juniors took top places in the Code of the West American Dream Essay Contest sponsored through the Boys and Girls Club of Wyoming.

Hannah Hu with her entry Forge Your Own Path, earned first place which comes with a $300 cash award and entry into the state level competition and a chance at $5,000.

Ashley McPhie and her Crooked Paths of Courage took second and a $200 award, and Tahja Hunt’s Taking the Long Road took third and a $100 award.

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.