Celebrate the West is a program established by the Western Governors’ Association to support high school students who are interested in learning more about the Western United States and its unique heritage, history, and culture. The program includes an essay contest and a scholarship opportunity.
The essay contest is open to high school students who are residents of one of the 19 Western states. Students are asked to write a 500-700 word essay on a topic related to the Western United States, such as its history, geography, culture, or current issues. The top three essay winners receive a scholarship prize of $1,000, $750, and $500, respectively.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to cover tuition, fees, books, and other related expenses. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the available funds and the number of qualified applicants. The application period for Celebrate the West typically opens in the fall and closes in the winter. Interested applicants can visit the Western Governors’ Association website for more information and to apply.
