“Voices of the Next Generation: An Issue Worth Addressing” Scholarship

Scholarship Update:

The application deadline for our 2026 Scholarship has officially passed. Thank you to everyone who applied!

HGD Law Firm Announces 2026 Scholarship Essay Contest Winners

At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, investing in the next generation is more than a commitment—it’s a responsibility we take seriously in the communities where we live and serve. That’s why each year, we invite local students to share their voices, their perspectives, and their vision for the future through our HGD Law Scholarship Essay Contest.

Now in its third year, the 2026 contest—titled “Voices of the Next Generation: An Issue Worth Addressing”—brought together some of the most thoughtful, driven, and insightful high school seniors across Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby counties. This year, we received more than 60 essay submissions, each offering a unique perspective on the challenges facing today’s generation and the changes students hope to see.

After careful review, we are proud to announce this year’s scholarship recipients:

First Place: Baileigh Rumage

Helena High School | Attending The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)

Baileigh Rumage stood out for her ability to clearly articulate an issue impacting her generation while offering meaningful reflection and thoughtful ideas for progress. Her essay demonstrated not only strong writing skills, but also a depth of awareness and a willingness to engage with complex challenges.

As the first-place recipient, Baileigh will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support her continued education at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. We are confident she will carry her insight and determination with her as she begins this next chapter.

Second Place: Libby Windsor

Evangel Christian School | Attending Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Libby Windsor earned second place for an essay that combined clarity, authenticity, and a strong sense of purpose. Her ability to connect personal perspective with broader societal issues made her submission both compelling and impactful.

Libby will receive a $1,000 scholarship as she prepares to attend Covenant College. We look forward to seeing how her voice continues to grow and influence others in the years ahead.

Third Place: Caleb King

Thompson High School | Attending Jacksonville State University

Caleb King was selected as our third-place winner for his thoughtful approach to the essay prompt and his ability to present ideas with clarity and intention. His work reflects the kind of forward-thinking mindset that this scholarship was created to encourage.

Caleb will receive a $500 scholarship as he begins his studies at Jacksonville State University this fall.

Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders

Each of this year’s winners represents what makes this scholarship program so meaningful. They are thoughtful, motivated, and willing to engage with the issues shaping their world. While their perspectives may differ, they share a common thread: a desire to better understand their generation and contribute to positive change.

At HGD, we believe those qualities matter.

As a firm, our work is centered on advocacy—standing up for individuals, guiding them through difficult moments, and helping them move forward. That same philosophy extends beyond the courtroom. Through this scholarship, we aim to create space for young people to think critically, express themselves, and feel confident that their voices matter.

Why HGD Invests in Local Students

Heninger Garrison Davis is proud to serve clients across Alabama with a team of 16 attorneys and 30 dedicated support staff, all committed to delivering a client-centered, results-driven experience. But our role in the community doesn’t stop there.

We believe that supporting education and encouraging thoughtful dialogue are essential to building stronger communities. The scholarship essay contest is one way we stay connected to the next generation—listening to their ideas, understanding their concerns, and supporting their goals.

By focusing the contest on students in Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby counties, we’re able to invest directly in the communities we know best. These are the neighborhoods where our clients live, where our team members raise their families, and where the future is being shaped every day.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on this year’s submissions, one thing is clear: the next generation is paying attention. They are asking important questions, challenging assumptions, and thinking deeply about the world they are inheriting.

That gives us a lot of confidence in what’s ahead.

To Baileigh, Libby, and Caleb—congratulations on this well-earned recognition. We are proud to support you and look forward to seeing where your paths lead.

And to every student who took the time to submit an essay this year, thank you. Your willingness to share your voice is exactly what this scholarship is all about.

Essay Prompt

Every generation faces challenges that shape how we live, learn, and interact with one another.

In a 750–1,000-word essay, identify one issue that affects your generation, explain why it matters to you, and describe what change you would like to see. Your response may be based on personal experience, observation, or reflection.

You do not need to have solved the problem—focus instead on insight, awareness, and thoughtful ideas for improvement.

Scholarship Awards

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

Be a high school senior.
Residency: Reside in Jefferson, St. Clair, or Shelby counties in Alabama.
Enrollment Status: Be enrolled in or accepted at an accredited college, university, or graduate school in the United States.
Agreement: Agree to the scholarship terms and conditions.
Originality: Submit an essay that has not been used for any other scholarship contest.
No AI Use: Essays must be entirely original and written by the applicant. We will check for AI-generated content, and any submission found to have used AI assistance will be disqualified.

Important Guidelines for Your Essay

Respect Privacy: Avoid using real names of other people in your essay, especially if the details could be incriminating or otherwise damaging.
Be Thoughtful: Focus on personal insight, lessons learned, and constructive ideas for positive change.

Scholarship Award & Use of Funds

All scholarship awards will be paid directly to the college or university the recipient is attending. Funds must be used exclusively for educational expenses, including tuition, books, and other required costs.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for “Voices of the Next Generation: An Issue Worth Addressing” Scholarship is March 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Following the deadline, the scholarship selection committee will take 1 month to review submissions. We are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding application status during this time.

For additional details, students and families should refer to the relevant scholarship page on the Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC website.

We look forward to reading insightful and impactful essays from students who are ready to turn awareness into action. Best of luck to all applicants!

How to Submit

Submit your completed essay at the following link:

First Name* This field is required.

Last Name* This field is required.

Phone* This field is required.

Email* This field is required.

County of Residence*

Current School Name* This field is required.

Name of College/University Attending or Accepted To* This field is required.

Upload Essay (750 - 1,000 Words) (Accepted file formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf)

This field is required.

Choose File*

This field is required.

I confirm that my essay is original, has not been used for any other scholarship contest, and was not generated using AI.*

This field is required.

By completing this form, you are giving us permission to follow-up by phone, email or text.*

This field is required.

Submit

Terms and Conditions

All applicants to this scholarship must meet the eligibility requirements as laid out on the scholarship application page, including:

Applicant must be enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school
Applicant must be at least 18 years old at the age of enrollment
Applicant must have residency in the United States
Applicant must be in good academic standing
Applicant must submit some personal information, including name, contact information, and proof of enrollment.
Applicant must author an original essay on the scholarship essay topic provided.
Applicant must submit response to prompt in a 750 to 1,000-word essay

Anyone who meets the following conditions is NOT eligible to apply:

Employees or children of employees of Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC
Past recipients of the “Beyond the Screen: Social Media’s Impact and Potential” or “A Second Chance: How My Accident Changed My Goals for the Future Scholarship”
Applicants who are unable/unwilling to be interviewed by a representative of Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, if they were to be awarded a scholarship.
Applicants who submit the same essay for multiple scholarships

Selection & Award Notification Process

Students must submit their applications for the “Voices of the Next Generation: An Issue Worth Addressing” by March 31, 2026, to have their essays read by the firm’s scholarship committee. The scholarship selection committee will not consider applications submitted without all of their relevant materials or after this deadline.

Once the submissions period closes, the firm’s scholarship selection committee will read through each student’s relevant essay. Age, race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, or other protected classes will have no influence on the committee’s choice of a winner.

Only the winning student should expect to hear from Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC’s scholarship selection committee. The committee will reach out via email once it selects a winner. Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC will then go on to announce the winner via blog post and press release.

The winning student and their family can expect Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC to communicate directly with a winning student’s college or university to arrange the delivery of the student’s scholarship award.

Privacy Statement

Your personal information will not be given, sold, or distributed to third parties.

We reserve the right to use the winners’ names and photos in any announcement or communication related to the Scholarships, on Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC’s website, in marketing materials, or in social media posts.

By submitting your application, you agree to our public use of your name and image.

“Voices of the Next Generation: An Issue Worth Addressing” Scholarship

Scholarship Update:

The application deadline for our 2026 Scholarship has officially passed. Thank you to everyone who applied!

HGD Law Firm Announces 2026 Scholarship Essay Contest Winners

First Place: Baileigh Rumage

Second Place: Libby Windsor

Third Place: Caleb King

Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders

Why HGD Invests in Local Students

Looking Ahead

Essay Prompt

Scholarship Awards

Eligibility Requirements

Important Guidelines for Your Essay

Scholarship Award & Use of Funds

Application Deadline

How to Submit

Terms and Conditions

Selection & Award Notification Process

Privacy Statement

Ready to take the first step?