The ACTEC Foundation has announced the winners of its 2026 Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition, recognizing Luke D. DeFio, Cassandra Nelson, Chloe Clements, and Sydney N. Gerbel. The announcement, published on July 30, 2026, highlighted these individuals for their achievements across multiple placements in the prestigious student writing competition.
The top honor for first place includes a full-tuition scholarship to the Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning at the University of Miami School of Law. In addition to this significant academic funding, the first-place winner also receives a $5,000 cash award and valuable opportunities for publication.
Further recognizing excellence in legal scholarship, the competition awarded substantial cash prizes to other high-achieving students. The recipient of second place was granted $3,000. Students securing third place each received $1,000, acknowledging their notable contributions. Additionally, those who earned honorable mentions were recognized with a $500 cash award, celebrating a broader spectrum of talent within the competition.
The Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition, organized by The ACTEC Foundation, recognizes outstanding student writing. The awards, which include scholarships, cash prizes, and publication opportunities, are presented across multiple placements, highlighting various achievements within the competition.