Morris King & Hodge Driver Safety Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Morris King & Hodge

Description

**Purpose and sponsor**
The Driver Safety Scholarship, now in its 12th year, is sponsored by Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. The program aims to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving and to encourage practical, community-focused solutions. It invites students to create original written or video essays that explain the risks and propose ways to reduce distracted-driving accidents. The scholarship also supports students’ college education as part of the firm’s broader safety and community commitments.

Key takeaways:
- Sponsored by Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.; focused on distracted-driving prevention.
- Seeks original essays (written or video) offering practical solutions.
- Supports students’ pursuit of higher education while promoting road safety.

Eligibility

**Who can apply**
The scholarship is open to 2026 high school graduating seniors and rising freshmen enrolled in Alabama colleges or universities who reside in Dekalb, Franklin, Lawrence, Colbert, Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, or Morgan counties. Applicants must verify residency and current academic status as part of the application. Students outside these counties or outside the specified academic standing are not eligible.

Key takeaways:
- Applicants: 2026 high school seniors and Alabama college/university freshmen.
- Eligible counties: Dekalb, Franklin, Lawrence, Colbert, Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan.
- Residency and enrollment verification required.

Essay Topic

**Prompt and tone**
The central prompt asks: How can we educate our community about the dangers of distracted driving, and what practical methods can drastically reduce distracted-driving–related accidents? Submissions may be serious or light-hearted in tone but must remain informative, original, and actionable. Judges will value essays that combine clear explanation of the problem with realistic, evidence-based solutions.

Key takeaways:
- Prompt focuses on education and practical reduction strategies for distracted driving.
- Tone may vary (serious or light-hearted) provided the entry is informative and original.
- Judges expect actionable, well-supported proposals.

Submission Requirements

**Materials to include**
All entries must include a complete essay (written or video) and supporting documents. Written essays must be at least 1,000 words; video essays must run between 5–6 minutes. Required supporting materials are proof of enrollment (unofficial transcript or recent grades/report card) and a headshot.

Key takeaways:
- Written essays: minimum 1,000 words; video essays: 5–6 minutes.
- Required supporting documents: proof of enrollment and a headshot.
- Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.

Helpful Ideas

**Suggested approaches**
Applicants are encouraged to explore creative and well-researched angles. Suggested approaches include interviewing someone affected by a distracted-driving incident, investigating untried technological solutions, and presenting a novel public-awareness campaign. Creativity is welcome as long as ideas are credible and appropriately supported.

Key takeaways:
- Consider first-hand interviews to humanize the issue.
- Explore technological or policy innovations that haven’t been widely implemented.
- Emphasize originality and evidence-based reasoning.

Judging Criteria

**How entries are evaluated**
A panel from Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., and associated parties will judge submissions. Evaluation criteria include content quality, factual accuracy, grammar and style, originality, and logical organization. Judges will favor entries that are clear, well-supported, and effectively communicate practical solutions.

Key takeaways:
- Judging panel comprises firm members and associated evaluators.
- Criteria: content, facts, grammar/style, originality, organization.
- Clear, well-supported proposals score highest.

Award Value

**Scholarship awards**
Three scholarships will be awarded to the top entries, with finalists selected by the judging panel. Specific award amounts are not listed in the posted materials; applicants should consult the online application or contact the firm for current prize details. The scholarship recognition includes both monetary support and public acknowledgment of the winners’ work.

Key takeaways:
- Three scholarships will be awarded to top entries.
- Monetary amounts are not specified in the provided materials.
- Winners receive financial support and public recognition.

Winner Notification

**How winners are informed**
The top three finalists will be contacted using the information provided on their applications and winners will be publicly announced. Applicants should ensure their contact details are accurate and monitor the channel they used to submit the application for notifications. Public announcements will follow the firm’s notification to finalists.

Key takeaways:
- Finalists contacted via application contact information.
- Winners announced publicly after finalist notification.
- Keep contact information current and check submission channels.

How to Apply

**Application process**
Applications are submitted via the scholarship’s online form. Before submitting, confirm your essay is complete and that you have uploaded or can provide the required supporting documents. Follow any file-format instructions on the online form and submit only once all materials are prepared.

Key takeaways:
- Apply using the online application form.
- Verify completeness of essay and supporting documents before submitting.
- Follow any formatting or upload instructions on the application page.

Application Timeline

**Deadlines and announcements**
Specific submission deadlines and announcement dates are not provided in the materials above; they are posted on the scholarship’s online application page. Applicants should review the application page for current deadlines, timeline updates, and any changes to eligibility or requirements. Allow time for document collection and review before the posted deadline.

Key takeaways:
- Check the online application page for exact deadlines and timeline details.
- Plan ahead to gather required documents and finalize your essay or video.
- Monitor the application page for updates or deadline changes.

History of the Award

**Background and purpose**
This is the 12th Annual Driver Safety Scholarship from Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. The award was created to reduce distracted driving by engaging young people in prevention strategies and supporting their continuing education. Over its history, the program has aimed to combine public education, community involvement, and scholarship support to make Alabama roads safer.

Key takeaways:
- Now in its 12th year, the program blends education and scholarship.
- Created to engage youth in distracted-driving prevention and solutions.
- Reflects the sponsoring firm’s commitment to community safety and education.

For more details or to begin an application, visit the scholarship’s online application page or contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. directly.