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What’s New2007 Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship Winners Announced (08/22/2007)
The Alabama Law Foundation proudly announces that four outstanding students will receive prestigious Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarships. Ashley Lott of Citronelle is this year’s main award winner. Runner-up awards go to Michelle Lee of Birmingham, Jessica Thomas of Birmingham, and David Powers of Tuscaloosa.
Celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2007, the Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship was endowed in 1987 by the law firm Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal of Birmingham and Mobile to commemorate the firm’s 100th anniversary. Named in honor and memory of the law firm’s founding partners, Edward Harmon Cabaniss and Forney Johnston, the scholarship is administered by the Alabama Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the Alabama State Bar. The Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship’s aim is to recognize and assist academically outstanding second-year law students who are also Alabama residents, and, further, to help promising law students become lawyers who will make a positive impact on society.
This year’s recipients have excellent academic records, impressive employment experience, and aspirations to make significant contributions through their legal expertise in environmental advocacy, social justice, politics, and media. Ashley Marie Lott, the winner of the main award, received a $5000 Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship. Ashley graduated with a degree in English and Political Science from the University of Georgia, where she was member of both the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Phi Beta Honor Society. While attending the University of Georgia, Ashley worked as a volunteer for Project Safe, an abused women’s shelter. From that experience, Ashley became impressed with extent of the need for legal professionals in the public sector. Ashley plans to become a prosecutor for a U.S. Attorney’s Office. Her working experience includes employment with the Chicago Department of Law Constitutional and Commercial Litigation Division. Ashley is currently studying at Yale Law School where she “takes pride in adding a little Southern diversity.”
Michelle Lee was awarded a runner-up Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship of $3,500. Michelle graduated with a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University where she received several honors including an Environmental Internship Award and induction into the Senior Honors Society. Jessica explains that her Korean parents taught her Korean family values at the same time they encouraged her to succeed in America—specifically in the American South where the family lived. Michelle’s multicultural background contributed to her diverse work experiences. She has taught English in Seoul, science and ecology in New York, and computer classes in Connecticut. Michelle plans to combine her training in environmental advocacy with giving the under represented a voice. Michelle is currently studying at the University of Michigan Law School, but plans to work in the South “where the need for representation and advocacy is the strongest.”
Jessica Thomas was awarded a runner-up Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship of $1,500. Jessica graduated a B.A. in Telecommunications and Film, and Political Science from the University of Alabama where she was a member of Capstone Men and Women and several honor societies including Omicron Delta Kappa. Jessica served an internship with the Secretary of State where she became aware of the plight of minorities. Jessica is currently studying at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and plans to use her media and legal education to “serve as a role model, and step up and take action to make some changes.”
David M. Powers was awarded a runner-up Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship of $1,000. David graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Business Administration. David is interested in politics and worked as a community liaison for Governor Jeb Bush, and a purchasing manager for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2004. David hopes to be involved further in the political process through consulting and fundraising. David says he wants to “give back to the state of Alabama, and follow up on the work of many great leaders, to continue to make Alabama a great place to live.”
The Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship Committee is proud to recognize and assist these four exceptional young people. Their academic achievements, impressive work experiences, and career goals show great promise. On the Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship’s twentieth anniversary, Ashley Lott, Michele Lee, Jessica Thomas, and David Powers epitomize the best of the new generation of legal professionals that the scholarship seeks to support.
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