A Forsyth County student is in the running for a $10,000 college savings plan.

Caitlin Shelby, who just finished eighth grade at North Forsyth Middle School, is one of 10 finalists in the Rand McNally “America the Beautiful” Essay Contest.

According to a news release from Rand McNally, the contest asked students to write about the one place in America that inspired them.

Shelby, who will be a freshman next year at North Forsyth High, won a NOOK tablet, as did the teacher who submitted her essay, McCall Hoyle.

Shelby will also have her essay published alongside the other finalists in a free e-book, “America the Beautiful.”

As a finalist, she will be also be traveling to Washington, D.C., this week with a parent or guest for a ceremony announcing two grand prize winners.

During the three-day trip, the finalists will visit the newly dedicated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the U.S. Supreme Court and Capitol Building.

They will also experience Mount Vernon and go to the Air Force Memorial, where the ceremony will take place.

One winner from the seventh- to ninth-grade division and one from 10th- to 12th-grade division will receive a $10,000 college savings plan.

If Shelby prevails, North Forsyth Middle would also receive $5,000 worth of classroom products from Rand McNally, a maps, directions and travel content company.