Jinks Crow Trial Lawyers Awards $7,000 in Scholarships to Local High School Seniors Through Second Annual "Safety First" Program

Fourteen high school seniors across Bullock and Montgomery counties are starting their college journeys with a little extra help this year, thanks to Jinks Crow Trial Lawyers' second annual Safety First Scholarship Program. The firm awarded a total of $7,000 — $500 to one student at each participating high school — continuing its commitment to supporting local students while promoting safe driving habits across the community.

Building on a Strong First Year

After a successful inaugural program, Jinks Crow brought the Safety First Scholarship back for 2026, once again pairing financial support for graduating seniors with a meaningful conversation about road safety. The goal wasn't just to help offset the rising cost of college — it was to get students thinking critically about how their choices behind the wheel affect everyone around them.

How Students Qualified

To apply, students had to meet a few key requirements:

• Be a graduating senior with at least a 2.5 GPA

• Plan to attend college starting in August 2026

• Be enrolled at a participating high school in Montgomery or Bullock County

From there, applicants submitted essays of 500 words or fewer exploring how driving decisions impact community safety and why responsible driving matters. Once the application window closed, the essays were opened up for public voting before final winners were selected.

Meet the 2026 Safety First Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to this year's winners, representing schools across the region:

• Cole Henry — Alabama Christian Academy

• Moriah Powe — Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

• Miles Williams — Brewtech Magnet High School

• Shameria Lewis — Bullock County High School

• Laura Lee Putnam — Conecuh Springs Christian School

• Jakeria Williams — JAG High School

• Joanna Rogel — LAMP High School

• Samuel Wallace — Macon East Academy

• Kirsten Thomas — Montgomery Academy

• Kennedy Johnson — Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

• Drake Arden — Success Unlimited Academy

• Katie Baldwin — Hooper Academy

• Kennedi Linen — Percy Julian High School

• Lillian Restad — Pike Road High School

Why Jinks Crow Keeps Coming Back to Safe Driving

For the team at Jinks Crow, the scholarship is about more than a check — it's about shaping how the next generation thinks about responsibility on the road.

"After seeing the impact this scholarship had during its first year, we knew it was something we wanted to continue," said Attorney Kijana Mitchell of Jinks Crow. "Safe driving isn't just a personal responsibility — it's a community responsibility. This scholarship gives students a platform to think critically about how their choices behind the wheel can protect lives."

Part of a Bigger Mission

The Safety First Scholarship Program is one piece of Jinks Crow's broader effort to blend education, prevention, and community engagement in service of safer Alabama roads. By investing directly in students — and asking them to reflect on the real-world stakes of safe driving — the firm hopes to build lasting habits that extend far beyond high school graduation.

Congratulations again to all of this year's recipients. Jinks Crow looks forward to continuing the Safety First Scholarship Program in the years ahead.