The Judge Lisa White Hardwick Academic Excellence Scholarship competition is coordinated with the National Bar Association’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Scholarship. Every year, JCBA invites high school juniors and seniors to participate in this essay/oratorical contest. Participants compete for cash awards at the local and regional levels, and college scholarships at the national level. Throughout this process, participants are paired with a mentor—typically a practicing attorney—who provides valuable feedback, guidance, and support in both written and oral components of the competition. These mentorships often evolve into lasting professional relationships.