Marks & Harrison has opened submissions for its third annual Driver Safety Scholarship Contest, offering $4,200 in college scholarship funds to be distributed among three winning entries. The Virginia-based law firm, which has served communities for over a century and now maintains a presence in Washington DC, established this initiative to address distracted driving while supporting educational aspirations.
The contest structure awards $2,000 to the first-place winner, $1,200 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. Eligibility extends to graduating high school seniors in Virginia and rising college freshmen enrolled in institutions within Virginia or Washington DC, including those planning to attend two- or four-year schools. This targeted approach ensures the program benefits students within the firm's primary service regions.
Participants must submit either an original essay of at least 1,000 words or a video essay lasting five to six minutes by the May 1, 2026 deadline at 11:59 p.m. Each student may submit only one entry. The required prompt asks: "How can we educate our community about the dangers of distracted driving, and what are some practical ways we can drastically reduce distracted driving-related accidents?"
Entries may adopt either serious or light-hearted tones, provided they demonstrate originality, thoughtful consideration, and thorough research. A judging panel will evaluate submissions based on creativity and originality rather than production values. The firm will announce winners on June 2, 2026, and publish their entries on the firm's website and social media platforms, including their main site at https://www.marksandharrison.com.
This initiative represents a strategic intersection of corporate social responsibility and community engagement. By framing distracted driving prevention through student perspectives, Marks & Harrison leverages youth creativity to develop potentially innovative safety solutions. The financial awards provide tangible educational support while the publication of winning entries amplifies safety messaging across digital platforms.
The contest addresses distracted driving as one of the nation's leading causes of traffic accidents, positioning the scholarship as both an educational opportunity and a public safety intervention. For students, the program offers financial assistance alongside portfolio-building opportunities through published work. For the legal industry, it demonstrates how firms can contribute to prevention efforts beyond courtroom advocacy.
Community impact extends beyond the immediate participants, as winning entries may inspire broader safety initiatives or policy discussions. The requirement for practical reduction strategies ensures submissions have potential real-world applications. By investing in student-generated solutions, Marks & Harrison fosters a collaborative approach to a persistent public health challenge while reinforcing the firm's century-long commitment to community safety.
