IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL WITH KIDS’ CHANCE

Kids’ Chance Scholarship Fund helps students whose parent or parents have been killed or permanently disabled in an on-the-job injury to attend college or technical school. When a parent is killed or disabled in an on-the-job accident, a family’s standard of living is lowered and, therefore, parents cannot help their children with the costs of higher education. Realizing that these students need help, the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Alabama State Bar founded Kids’ Chance in 1992.

Kids’ Chance is administered by the Alabama Law Foundation, a charitable tax-exempt organization. Kids’ Chance has been enthusiastically supported by all those involved in workers’ compensation: attorneys, businesses, rehabilitation professionals, medical providers, insurance agents, and organized labor. Sixty-seven students have graduated so far with help from Kids’ Chance. The awards for this school year totaled $27,000 bringing to $650,000 the successful program has awarded to more than 175 students since 1993.

Kori and Kristen Johnson from Birmingham were each awarded $2000. Their grandmother and guardian suffered wrist injuries and carpel tunnel syndrome as a result of her job. Kori attends Alabama A&M and studies civil engineering; Kristen attends Jefferson State Community College and studies Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Victoria Jones was awarded $2500 to attend Middle Tennessee State University where she is studying biology; Victoria plans to become a pediatric neurologist. Victoria’s mother was permanently disabled as the result of an injury at work.
Kelcie Knowles of Jamison received $2000 to attend the University of Alabama where she studies political science and criminal justice; Kelcie plans to pursue a law degree. Kelcie’s father, Shannon Beam, was killed in a work related accident.

Miles Lansdell of Muscle Shoals received $2500 to attend the University of Alabama to study environmental engineering. Miles’ father died in a truck driving accident on the job.

Kaylee Moore of Grove Hill received $2500 to attend Auburn University to study occupational therapy. Kaylee’s father was killed in a logging accident when a tree fell on him.

Amber and Arthur Patton of Leeds each received $2000. Their mother was permanently disabled in a car accident on the job as a police officer. Both attend Jacksonville State University. Amber studies social work; Arthur studies aerospace engineering.

Bennett Prestridge of Jasper received $2000 to attend Bellville State Community College to study advanced EMT; Bennett plans to become a licensed EMT and complete a paramedica degree. Bennet’s father suffered a severe head injury when he was involved in a car accident on the job.

Yana Rodgers of Jackson received $2500 to attend the University of West Alabama to study pre-pharmacy. Yana’s father was killed when a mobile home fell on him while he was working.

Kelsey Trussell of Albertville received $2500 to attend Jacksonville State University where she studies music education to teach vocational instruction at the high school level. Kelsey’s mother was disabled in an accident while driving to her job.

Kids’ Chance scholarships support these young people’s academic goals and career dreams.

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MORGAN MEANS AWARDED JANIE L. SHORES SCHOLARSHIP

The Alabama Law Foundation proudly announces that Morgan Means has been awarded $5,100 as the 2016 winner of the Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship. As Christina Crow, chair of the scholarship committee, explains, “The Women’s Section of the Alabama Bar is proud to honor the hard work and dedication of female attorneys past and present through the presentation of the Janie L. Shores Scholarship to Morgan Means.”

The Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar, along with the Alabama Law Foundation, established the Janie L. Shores Scholarship to support a female Alabama resident attending an Alabama law school in 2006. The Justice Janie L. Shores scholarship is named in honor of the first female Alabama Supreme Court Justice, who was elected in 1974.

Morgan Means was born in Gadsden, Alabama and plans to return to her hometown after graduation to “make a difference in my community.” She graduated from Jacksonville State College in 2016 with a BA in Political Science. Her academic awards include President’s and Dean’s list; she was the recipient of the Judge H. Dean Buttram Scholarship 2015-2016. Morgan is married to Jordan Means; Morgan says she could not continue to pursue her goals without his support. The ambitious young couple has two boys: Milo 3 and Linus 2. Morgan has worked as a legal assistant since 2004; she currently works for Jared D. Vaughn, Attorney at Law. Morgan plans to remain employed as she begins law school at the University of Alabama in the fall. Clearly, she is the epitome of young women lawyers who are hard-working and dedicated.

Morgan is planning to specialize in family law which she says she is “passionate about.” She just finished work on a case involving adoption. She is also interested in helping children and women in neglected or abusive situations. Morgan says she is honored to be chosen for the scholarship and appreciative to the Women’s Section for their support.

Morgan was recognized at the Maude McLure Kelly Award Luncheon held Friday, June 23, 2016 during the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting. The luncheon is named in honor of Alabama’s first woman lawyer, who continued blazing pathways by becoming the first woman lawyer in the United States to plead a case before the U.S Supreme Court. A silent auction, held the evening after the luncheon, raised money for the scholarship. Christina Crow states, “Janie Shores paved the way for many young lawyers, male and female, and we are proud to follow her example of hard work and dedication to the profession by raising the funds for this scholarship with our annual silent auction. We also thank our donors who make the silent auction possible.”

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