The Young Lawyers Division Announces Recipients of the NCBF Endowment’s Hubert B. Humphrey Justice Fund
The Young Lawyers Division selected three college students as scholarship recipients. The scholarships were awarded to students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The scholarships are provided by the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment’s Hubert B. Humphrey Justice Fund and are given to children of slain or permanently disabled NC Law Enforcement Officers. This year, the scholarship bestowed $6,150.
The 2024-2025 recipients are:
- Isabella Renee Lawing
- Max Huss Macchia
- Micah Lee Morton
To receive this scholarship, recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be the natural, adopted or step-child of a North Carolina Law Enforcement Officer permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty.
- Applicants must submit their application on or before 28 years of age.
- Applicants must provide proof of enrollment or admission as a full-time student to one of the following:
- an accredited four-year college or university; (undergraduate program)
- an accredited community college or technical college; (undergraduate program)
- an accredited law school.
Access more information on the scholarship by visiting this page.
Isabella Renee Lawing
Isabella Renee Lawing is a first-year student at Appalachian State University. She is majoring in chemistry with an environmental concentration.
In her application, she writes about how her interest in studying environmental issues began because of what she observed in her hometown. There, kudzu, a climbing vine, has spread rapidly, and stink bugs are also present.
Lawing describes how she would like to be involved in developing ways to remove both problems.
“If I can create eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions to stifle these pests, and eventually others as well, everything else in the south will be better off for it. Being able to afford and obtain an environmental chemistry degree would help me accomplish this because a higher education will be necessary to not only better understand how I can tackle environmental issues as a chemist, but also to be taken seriously by others in my field and by my community.”
Following graduation, she wants to resolve environmental issues. She is interested in being a consultant to individuals who are working on writing solutions at the legislative level.
Appalachian State is in an area that was impacted by Hurricane Helene, and the college campus experienced some damage as a result of the storm. Classes were canceled through Oct. 15 and normal operations resumed on Oct. 25. Lawing is doing well and was not harmed by the Hurricane. Although she was not able to provide comments at this time, we hope to feature her at greater length in a future issue of NC Lawyer magazine.
Max Huss Macchia
Max Huss Macchia is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studies nursing and is minoring in Spanish.
When asked what it means to him to receive this scholarship, Macchia said, “To get this scholarship is life-changing. By receiving this scholarship, I was able to begin my academic journey and feel supported throughout the process. The NC Bar Association has given me the opportunity to work hard to open that door to my future and discover new interests by allowing me to have the college experience. I could not be more grateful.”
Macchia became interested in the field of nursing when he was five years old, after his grandfather experienced a hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm. Seeing his grandfather in need of help and doing what he could to assist made a lasting impression on him.
“This left him with severe disabilities and left him unable to live alone, so he moved in with us. My parents were not always able to help, given that they had to work to provide for our family, so I would take care of him after school,” said Macchia.
“Unfortunately, on my seventh birthday, my grandfather passed away. I never realized it then, but my grandfather shaped my view on my career. He made me realize that I, truly, want to go into health care solely to give assistance to those who are having the best or worst days of their lives.”
While in high school, Macchia became a Certified Nursing Assistant. He has plans to work as a CNA this fall. He is currently majoring in nursing but is considering majoring in biology. Following graduation, he would like to go overseas.
“No matter what path I choose, immediately after graduation, I plan on teaching English to middle or high school students in either Spain or Costa Rica for at least one year. Upon my return to the states, I would like to work in an emergency room, learning about and helping those in low-income and rural communities, working to eliminate health care disparities in those communities,” he said.
“Five to seven years after graduation, I plan on going back to school to become either a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, where again I want to work in low-income communities and eventually take my work abroad through volunteer organizations.”
Macchia is thankful for this scholarship, which has made it possible for him to take courses that are preparing him for his future career. This semester, he is enrolled in a biology course in which he learns from and talks with health care professionals. He is also studying advanced Spanish.
Outside of his coursework, Macchia is involved on campus, where this fall, he assisted people to register to vote for the November election and served by phone banking.
Micah Lee Morton
Micah Lee Morton is a first-year student at East Carolina University, where he is pursuing a degree in nursing.
In his application, he writes about his career goal of becoming a nurse. His choice to enter this field was inspired by his mother, who is a nurse at Duke Regional Hospital. He would like to enter the medical profession because he hopes to have a positive impact on others’ lives. In reflecting on his future career, he speaks of his parents, who also pursued fields in which they worked for the good of others.
“Nursing is a career that allows you to serve others. It brings happiness and comfort to your patients, and their families in need,” said Morton.
“I have always been surrounded by people in my life who have given of themselves to help others. My mom has been a nurse for 21 years at our local community hospital. My dad is a retired, disabled police officer. They have always worked long hours and missed many family events to serve others. They were always sacrificing their time to better the lives of others. When this hit me, I was around the age of 10. I wanted to be just like them, hard-working, giving of my time, compassionate, and showing integrity in all I do.”
At an early age, Morton experienced firsthand how rewarding it was to volunteer. He describes how he and his mother served together, and it made a lasting impression on him.
“We were volunteering for an organization called Special Olympics, which helps individuals with special needs compete in sports they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to play. This experience was eye-opening for me, even at such a young age, and plays a significant role in my desire to work in the medical field, particularly with individuals who have special needs.”
In addition to volunteering with Special Olympics, he has served with other organizations, including Able to Serve and Miracle League. Morton is thankful to be studying nursing at ECU and to be one step closer to a career in which he will provide care for others.
He is especially grateful to receive this scholarship because it made his dreams of attending college a reality.
“When asked what this scholarship means to me, the first thing that comes to mind is gratitude. I did not receive any funding from the state or other scholarships, so my education’s financial support was a concern for both my parents and me,” said Morton. “I worried that I might not be able to attend college, but this scholarship changed everything. I am incredibly thankful and appreciative for this support and opportunity.”
Receiving the scholarship, he says, not only gave him the opportunity to move forward with his education but also made him more confident to apply for other programs. Before beginning college at ECU, Morton applied and was accepted into the Nursing Living Learning Community, which is comprised of 30 individuals who were selected for the program based on their dedication to the pursuit of a nursing career. One hundred and twenty applications were submitted.
“I was overjoyed when I learned that I had been accepted. The community was established for freshmen,” said Morton. “Since my arrival at ECU, I have made many friends within this community, which has significantly enhanced both my life and academic experience.”
His goals for the future include attending ECU’s nursing school and becoming a nurse practitioner.
“Following graduation, I will work as a registered nurse, exploring different specialties to find my passion – whether it’s pediatrics, geriatrics, or critical care. Once I’ve determined my preferred area, I will apply to East Carolina’s Nurse Practitioner School to further my education and specialize in my chosen field, aiming to provide exceptional care in my community.”
Jessica Junqueira is communications manager for the North Carolina Bar Association.