The Huntsville-based personal injury law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Driver Safety Scholarship Fund essay competition. Three high school seniors will share a total of $4,200 in scholarship money for their winning essays on the risks associated with texting while driving.
This year marks the competition’s 11th year, with over $40,000 in scholarship money awarded to graduating seniors in Colbert, Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, or Morgan Counties high schools and/or rising freshmen in Alabama colleges and universities.
The scholarship winners received their awards and were recognized at a meet and greet event held at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.’s office on Friday, May 9, at 9:30 a.m.
The 2025 Driver Safety Scholarship Fund winners are:
1st Place: Madison Shipman – A Future Pharmacist with a Heart for Service
Madison Shipman, a senior at Buckhorn High School, is a born leader who is passionate about healthcare and serving her community. Her involvement in multiple extracurricular activities and organizations helped her complete over 100 volunteer hours prior to her high school graduation.
Madison will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) this fall, where she plans to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science on the Pharmacy track. Her goal is to become a pharmacist to advocate for health equality and uplift underserved communities.
Madison’s parents are Alexander Shipman, a pastor, and Wyketa Shipman, who works in human resources.
Madison’s winning essay is entitled “Keep Your Eyes on the Road: A High School Student’s Perspective on Texting and Driving.”
2nd Place: Lily Turlington – Nursing Student with a Passion for Community
A senior at Scottsboro High School, Lily Turlington plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and pursue a degree in Nursing. Lily enjoys tennis, swimming, and working with children. She prides herself on being an active member of her community, church, and school.
After completing her undergraduate program, Lily aims to earn her CRNA degree and return to her hometown to work, marry, and raise a family. Her parents are James “Jimmy” Turlington, self-employed, and Glenda Turlington, a math tutor and real estate broker.
Lily’s winning essay is entitled “The Dangers of Texting and Driving: The Problem and Ways to Resolve.”
3rd Place: Amari Bailey – Aspiring Veterinarian and Animal Advocate
Amari Bailey is a senior at Austin High School. She enjoys art, music, and baking, but above all, she is an animal lover. She will be attending Auburn University this fall to pursue her dream of one day becoming a veterinarian.
Amari’s parents are Brandon Bailey, an ALEA Trooper, and Siedyria Mallard, a physician’s assistant.
Amari’s winning essay is entitled “The Dangers of Texting and Driving.”
About Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. is a personal injury law firm that serves clients in Huntsville and throughout Alabama. The firm has been named as a “Best Law Firm” by the publication U.S. News-Best Lawyers® for over a decade. Attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. represent clients in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death law, including car, truck, motorcycle, and other motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and product liability. The firm also assists clients in matters involving workers’ compensation, insurance disputes, and business litigation.
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. is located at 200 Pratt Avenue NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, with additional locations in Florence, Decatur, Athens, and South Huntsville. The firm may be reached by phone at (256) 536-0588 or through its online form.
