What does being a Westerner mean to you, and why do you consider yourself one?

In 600 words, describe why your heart is at home in the American West. Is being a Westerner a physical state, a frame of mind, an emotional experience? Is it something you earned? Something you were born into? A title conferred on you, or one you adopted on your own?

The contest is open to all currently enrolled high school students and undergraduates at American schools, colleges and universities as well as 2012 graduates. Submissions must be original, unpublished work (the writing can have been published in a student publication). One entry per person, please.

Include your name, contact information, school name, and area of study with your submission.

The winning essay will appear in the upcoming HCN Books and Essays special issue and the writer will receive these backpacking essentials from MountainSmith: Lookout Backpack; Poncha 35 Degree Sleeping Bag; and Rhyolite Trekking Poles.

Send essays to studentwriters@hcn.org. ENTRY DEADLINE: Sept. 21, 2012

Visit hcn.org/edu for more information.