Marks & Harrison announced its third annual Driver Safety Scholarship Contest, offering $4,200 in college scholarship funds to students who create original content about distracted driving prevention. The law firm, which has served Virginia and Washington DC communities for over a century, established the contest to raise awareness about distracted driving while supporting educational pursuits.
The competition will award $2,000 to the first-place winner, $1,200 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. Eligible participants include graduating high school seniors in Virginia and rising college freshmen enrolled in Virginia or Washington DC institutions, including those planning to attend two- or four-year schools. Students must submit entries by 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2026, with only one entry permitted per student.
Entries must address the question: "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?" Participants can choose between submitting a written essay of at least 1,000 words or a video essay lasting 5-6 minutes. The content can adopt either serious or light-hearted tones, provided it remains original, thoughtful, and well-researched.
A judging panel will evaluate entries based on originality and creativity. Marks & Harrison will announce winners on June 2, 2026, and publish the winning submissions on the firm's website and social media platforms. The contest represents a strategic approach to addressing what the firm identifies as "one of the nation's leading causes of traffic accidents" while investing in community education through student perspectives.
The scholarship program's importance extends beyond financial awards, creating opportunities for young community members to contribute solutions to a persistent public safety issue. By engaging students in developing educational approaches, the initiative may generate innovative strategies that could influence broader distracted driving prevention efforts. The contest also provides a platform for student voices on safety issues that affect their peers and communities directly.
For more information about the contest, visit https://www.marksandharrison.com.
