Marks & Harrison, a law firm with over a century of service in Virginia and Washington DC, has opened submissions for its third annual Driver Safety Scholarship Contest. The contest aims to raise awareness about distracted driving, a leading cause of traffic accidents, while supporting students pursuing higher education. A total of $4,200 in scholarship funds will be awarded to the top three entries.
First-place winner will receive $2,000, second place $1,200, and third place $1,000. The contest is open to graduating high school seniors in Virginia and rising college freshmen enrolled in any college or university in Virginia or Washington DC, including those planning to attend two- or four-year institutions.
To enter, students must submit an original essay of at least 1,000 words or a video essay of 5-6 minutes addressing: "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?" The tone can be serious or light-hearted, but entries must be original, thoughtful, and well-researched. Only one entry per student is allowed, and submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2026.
A panel will judge entries based on originality and creativity. Winners will be announced on June 2, 2026, and their entries will be published on the firm's website and social media platforms. Marks & Harrison emphasizes that the contest reflects its commitment to community safety, particularly in addressing distracted driving, which remains a critical issue on the nation's roads.
