Good writing is always in vogue. If you are a high school student, show us your writing style! Do you have a flair for the dramatic, even when writing a text? Do you put your heart and soul into those English papers? Do you dream of writing a screenplay or the Great American novel? Woman Around Town is sponsoring an essay contest and we want to hear from you. We have assembled a stellar panel of judges: Edes Gilbert, former headmistress of the prestigious Spence School; Jill Kargman, bestselling author; and Daryl Roth, Broadway producer. The winning entries (first, second, and third prizes, along with several honorable mentions) will be published on our site, along with feature stories on the writers.

Woman Around Town is all about good writing. For two years running, our site has won awards from the New York Press Club. We have become a platform for women—and men—who are as excited about living in New York and Washington, D.C. as we are, and want to write about their experiences. We want to encourage the next generation of writers. It doesn’t matter where you live in the U.S. If you are a high school student, you’re eligible to enter.

Here’s what you need to do: write an essay, no longer than 750 words, in answer to the following:

Lady Gaga’s song, “Born this Way,” is about seeking acceptance in yourself and accepting others. What does it mean to you?

If you email your entry, your essay should be a Word document and emailed as an attachment to entries@womanaroundtown.com. If you plan to mail your essay, it should be sent to: Woman Around Town, 954 Lexington Avenue, Suite 239, New York, N.Y. 10021. Please include your full name, high school, and contact information, either an email address or mailing address. Deadline for submission is May 18, 2012, and the winners will be announced on June 15. (Click here to read the full contest rules).

Imagine having your essay read by our outstanding panel of judges, all former Women Around Town (click on the name to read the full profile).

Edes Gilbert, who, for 22 years, served as the head of two independent schools. She has also served as chair/president of Lesley University Board, the New York State Association of Independent Schools, the Headmasters’ Association, and the Country Day School Headmasters Association. She chairs the development committee for the Theatre Development Fund and is on the New York board of Teach for America.

Jill Kargman, a graduate of Yale University, is the author of several bestsellers, including Momzillas, The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund, Wolves in Chic Clothing, Arm Candy, and Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut. She has written more than 100 articles that have appeared in many magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, and Interview.

Daryl Roth has produced six Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: August: Osage County, Proof, Wit, How I Learned to Drive, Anna in the Tropics and Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women. She has also produced the Tony Award winning plays The Normal Heart, Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? and War Horse. Future theater projects include A Time to Kill based on John Grishman’s bestselling novel, and the Broadway revival of the musical Annie. She also produced the film Albert Nobbs, starring Glenn Close, who received an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

Winning this contest could lead to other opportunities, whether enhancing that college application, landing that internship, or leading to a writing career.

If you know a high school student who loves to write, send her the link to this story. We want to encourage the writing stars of tomorrow by showcasing their work on Woman Around Town. Who knows where this first step will lead?