Harber Legal’s “Young Advocate” Scholarship
Supporting the Next Generation of Advocates
Amy Harber believes advocacy is about more than standing up to argue in a courtroom. It is about recognizing when the disadvantaged need a voice, having the courage to speak up even when it comes with personal risk, and being willing to put time and effort into helping others. Those principles have shaped the creation of the Harber Legal Young Advocate Scholarship.
This annual scholarship awards $1,500 to a graduating high school senior who lives in or attends a high school in Loudoun County that demonstrates a commitment to advocacy, service, and standing up for others.
A Personal Commitment to Advocacy & Public Service
The inspiration for this scholarship is deeply personal to Amy. Her father, the late Col. John P. McMullen, Jr., was a West Point graduate and career military officer who dedicated the better part of his life to public service. Chief among his efforts was his advocacy for soldiers to be appropriately recognized by the United States military for their personal & familial sacrifice during covert military combat operations.
Amy’s father taught her that advocacy is not always easy, visible, or immediately rewarded. Sometimes it means asking difficult questions, challenging an accepted decision, or continuing to pursue a fair outcome in the face of adversity.
Harber Legal created the Young Advocate Scholarship with his spirit in mind - and with the goal to encourage young people to develop and use their own voices to make a difference. Advocacy takes many forms and can mean supporting a classmate, speaking up about an issue at school, helping a neighbor, volunteering for a cause, or working to make a community more inclusive and fair. What matters is a willingness to recognize a need and take the step to try to make a difference.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be a graduating high school senior in the Class of 2027.
Reside in Loudoun County, Virginia, or attend a public or private high school physically located in Loudoun County.
Plan to enroll in a college, university, community college, accredited vocational or trade program, or registered apprenticeship program following graduation.
Submit an original essay of 750-1000 words responding to the scholarship prompt below.
Submit a complete application by the stated deadline.
There is no GPA requirement, no financial-need requirement, and no restriction based on intended major or career path. There is no application fee.
Scholarship Award & Selection
We want to know: what does it mean to be an advocate?
Tell us about a time you stood up for another person, a cause, your community, or something you believed was right. What did the experience teach you, and how will you carry that lesson into whatever comes next for you?
Your essay should reflect your own experiences, perspective, and understanding of advocacy. Applicants are encouraged to consider experiences both large and small. The most meaningful examples are not necessarily the most dramatic; they are the ones that demonstrate thought, effort, courage, empathy, or a willingness to make a difference.
The selected recipient will receive a $1,500 educational scholarship payable directly to their institution of higher education. The recipient will be notified in May 2027.
Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee who will rate the applicant’s understanding of advocacy, the thoughtfulness and authenticity of the essay, the lessons drawn from the experience, and the applicant’s ability to communicate those ideas clearly.
Application Period & How to Apply
Applications will be accepted January 1, 2027, through March 31, 2027. The application link will be posted on this page once active. Any questions can be directed to info@harberlegal.com.
