Macy Thompson wins Centro Legal Hispano's 2026 Drive Smart, Live Safe scholarship

Centro Legal Hispano de Las Vegas awarded its 2026 Drive Smart, Live Safe Scholarship to Macy Thompson, a law student at American University Washington College of Law, for $2,500. Thompson says the grant reflects her effort to honor a close friend who died in a drunk-driving crash and to push for stronger prevention efforts.

Why it matters: - The scholarship ties financial support for law students to a public-safety message about reducing intoxicated driving. - Thompson plans a career as a federal prosecutor, so the award supports a future attorney focused on criminal enforcement. - The scholarship also highlights the personal toll drunk-driving crashes take on families and friends.

What happened: - Centro Legal Hispano de Las Vegas named Macy Thompson the 2026 winner of its Drive Smart, Live Safe Scholarship. - The award provides $2,500 in financial aid. - Thompson is a 3L at American University Washington College of Law. - Thompson is preparing for graduation and the bar exam.

The details: - Thompson has studied criminal and constitutional law throughout law school. - Thompson wants to work as a federal prosecutor after graduation. - Thompson hopes to use that experience to prosecute organized crime. - Thompson said the scholarship application gave her a way to honor her friend’s memory while advocating for greater awareness and prevention efforts against intoxicated driving. - Thompson lost her best friend in an accident involving an intoxicated driver. - Thompson works as an Articles Editor for the Administrative Law Review. - Thompson also serves as Digital Editor for American University Washington College of Law’s Human Rights Brief. - Thompson previously interned with the Reynoldsburg City Attorney’s Office and International Rights Advocates. - Thompson will intern with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia during summer 2026.

Between the lines: - The scholarship is aimed at students who are already thinking about how to curb drinking and driving in their communities. - Centro Legal Hispano de Las Vegas framed the award as both a financial boost and a recognition of Thompson’s focus on prevention. - The firm said it hopes the prize will make it easier for Thompson to look toward her future as a prosecutor as she completes law school.

What's next: - Thompson will finish her final year of law school and take the bar exam. - Thompson’s planned summer 2026 internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia adds practical prosecutorial experience before she enters the job market. - Centro Legal Hispano de Las Vegas will continue promoting its Drive Smart, Live Safe Scholarship for students focused on stopping intoxicated driving.

The bottom line: - The award pairs academic support with a prevention message, backing a law student whose personal loss shaped her commitment to reducing drunk-driving harm.