Four seniors from Newton and Rockdale counties were recognized for receiving the Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Beyond the Bar Scholarship at the foundation’s Drive, Chip and Putt tournament on May 4 at Ashton Hills Golf Course.

The Beyond the Bar Foundation was formed by the Bar Associations of Newton, Rockdale and Walton counties as well as the New Rock Legal Society in 2019. The scholarship was renamed after the death of Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. to honor his memory. 

Treasurer of the Beyond the Bar Foundation and senior partner of Crawford and Boyle LLC David Boyle said that naming the scholarship after Judge Johnson is a way to remember his service to the community.

“It continues his work in terms of giving back to the community and providing a public service, providing funds for kids to continue their education,” Boyle said.

Johnson was the first Black Superior Court judge in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, and was known for his dedication to helping local youth, leading the charge as a founding board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Newton County, as well as Newton Mentoring Inc. and the Newton County Arts Association.

Seniors Kennedi Leary from Newton High School and Layna Cher from Eastside High School were the Newton County recipients of the scholarship while Rockdale Magnet School students Jessica Rhee and Abigail Buchanan received the award for Rockdale County. The scholarship amount increased from $1,000 its inaugural year to $3500 for each applicant.

Boyle has attributed the growth of the event and scholarship foundation to local business and law firms coming together to financially support the foundation and scholarship recipients. Included among the sponsors and participants were the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Oxford College of Emory University, Judge Johnson’s Alma Mater.

“It’s kind of really opened up that anyone can participate and join in, and thats the continued goal.” Boyle said.

Sponsors provided gift cards to restaurants, luxury car services,  Top Golf and bottles of premium tequila as prizes for the winners of the event. An entry fee into the tournament was $25 with proceeds funding the scholarship. 

While only Newton and Rockdale students received the scholarship for the 2024 school year, the award is available for seniors from Walton County as well. Scholarship applicants are instructed to write an essay, with the theme this year being “Voices of Democracy.” Instructions directed students to reflect on “how the people’s voice has evolved our country, and what voices are on the horizon for change.” The theme of the essay also ties in to the “Law Day” event provided by the local Bar Associations as a way for students to learn more about careers in law.

Two winners are selected for each of the three counties, while no applications were received from Walton County, Boyle said the decision on the recipients of the scholarship in Newton and Rockdale counties did not come lightly.

“They’ve got to earn it,” Boyle said. “I mean, it’s competitive in terms of being able to be the winner. There’s a lot of good candidates, oftentimes to weed through the applications to figure out, sometimes there are very close calls in who to award it to.”

Boyle said that the Bar Associations finding a way to put differences aside to help the youth is his favorite part of the Beyond the Bar Foundation.

“I do criminal defense work, and its very much a zero-sum game in terms of winning and losing,” Boyle said. “So it’s nice to just be part of a positive experience in the law. Everyone is just trying to help and to give. So, I like that aspect of it. It’s different than the adversarial nature of court.”

Boyle believes that the future of the scholarship is bright, and looks to add more funding to increase the grants given to each student. For those looking to donate or apply for the Judge Horace J Johnson Jr. Beyond The Bar Scholarship, instructions can be found at www.johnsonbtb.com.

“It just shows an appreciation for all the service that Judge Johnson did to the community and all the stuff he did outside of even being a judge or lawyer,” Boyle said. “So, to continue those aspirations for people to do more, to improve their education and to move forward in life, it's good.”