UWs Destination: Cowboy Contest Brings the World to Wyoming Students

The University of Wyoming is introducing a program that creates opportunities for the state’s young people to make global connections.

UW’s “Destination: Cowboy” contest will award a team from a Wyoming high school with full participation in a first-year seminar abroad in Iceland. Directed by a UW faculty member, the program will take place in August 2020 and allows participants to explore Iceland and its rich history.

The contest is for current high school sophomores and juniors and a school representative who will act as a sponsor. This person must be an administrator, counselor, teacher or coach employed by the school district. The prize includes airfare and program fees, such as accommodations, entrance fees, in-country transportation and some meals.

Contest entries can be submitted starting Friday, Nov. 15, (today) through Feb. 29, 2020.

Attendees will spend about 10 days in Iceland to learn about the country’s heritage; visit museums; explore Viking history; and go on sightseeing tours of the nation’s impressive glacier formations. The winning team also will document the full experience, including video, photos and social media posts. Event organizers believe the experience will positively impact the winning team’s school community upon return, while providing a school administrator the chance to see the value of international experiences and engagement.

“Destination: Cowboy” entries each will consist of two current Wyoming high school students -- members of either sophomore or junior class -- in good academic and disciplinary standing with their school. Entrants also must receive approval from their school district to participate, as the dates of the program could overlap with the school district calendar. A UW committee will select the winning team, while runners-up will be awarded with vouchers to apply for their own U.S. passports.

“We’re thrilled to share this amazing experience with Wyoming high schools,” UW Associate Vice Provost Anne Alexander says. “We will learn together about the economic drivers of the traders, settlers and explorers known as the Vikings as we explore the cultural and geological wonder that is Iceland. As we travel, we will discover how the history of the world was impacted by the Vikings. In Iceland, we will see what a special case the Vikings had on their hands. Iceland had no indigenous peoples to displace, extremely few native species to exploit and no colonial mandate from a king to settle. Its evolution to the thriving society it is today is an exploration in grit and resilience.”

To enter, the student team must submit a video essay -- no longer than two minutes -- that answers the following questions:

-- What does it mean to be a Wyoming Cowboy?

-- Why do you think it is important for Wyoming students to experience the world, and what impact would an experience like this have on you personally?

The sponsor must submit a letter answering:

-- How will the experience help you better serve your community?

-- How will this experience help you grow as an educator?

The winning team members will be admitted to UW as non-degree-seeking students and enrolled in a one-credit-hour class in order to participate in the study-abroad program. Upon selection, a UW Prize Patrol team will visit the winner’s high school to celebrate the accomplishment.

For full contest details, rules and procedures, visit www.destinationcowboy.com.