Graphic includes the copy "Congratulations WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship® Recipients." Below the words are photos of three young people who have received the scholarship. The background of the image is blue.

Congratulations to Our 2026 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship® Recipients

May 11, 20265/11/2026

Community

WoodmenLife is proud to support young members as they plan for the future.

Since its start in 2017, the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^® program has helped nearly 6,000 students pursue higher education at trade schools, colleges, and universities across the country. In total, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to deserving members.

This year, WoodmenLife awarded 307 scholarships¹ ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. While recipients are heading in different directions, they share clear goals for school and the future.

Help us congratulate this year’s three $10,000 scholarship recipients, and learn more about how the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship will help them achieve their goals.

Photo shows five people standing together, posing for the photo. At the center is a young woman holding an oversized WoodmenLife-branded check. The check is made out to Emma B. in the amount of $10,000. Flanking the young woman are a man and woman, her parents. The last two people -- two women on either end of the photo -- are WoodmenLife associates who presented the scholarship check.

Emma B., Eddyville, KY

Photo is a senior portrait of Emma B, a WoodmenLife member in Eddyville, KY. She is wearing a red-and-white checkered shirt and jeans, and she is seated in front of a red background.

College plans: Emma will attend Murray State University, where she plans to major in animal science with a focus on pre-veterinary studies.

What she’s working toward in college: She wants to build a strong academic foundation that prepares her for veterinary school. Along with her classes, Emma is looking forward to gaining hands-on experience working directly with animals.

How the scholarship helps: The scholarship will help cover college expenses so Emma can stay focused on her coursework and hands-on learning. This support allows her to keep working toward a career she’s planned for several years.

Looking ahead: After veterinary school, Emma plans to return to her hometown and open her own veterinary practice. She hopes to care for local animals while getting to know the families who rely on her to keep their pets healthy.

Her advice for future applicants: “Take the application seriously and share your story with confidence. It’s important to show both accomplishments and the effort behind them.”

Photo shows five people standing together, posing for the photo. At the center is a young man holding an oversized WoodmenLife-branded check. The check is made out to Luke W. in the amount of $10,000. Flanking the young man are a man and woman, his parents. The last two people -- two women standing behind the family -- are WoodmenLife associates who presented the scholarship check.

Luke W., Jena, LA

Photo is a senior portrait of Luke W., a WoodmenLife member in Jena, LA. He is wearing a light blue shirt and is leaning against wall.

College plans: At Louisiana Tech University, Luke plans to stay involved in the College of Business to build connections and prepare for a career in accounting and finance.

How the scholarship helps: The scholarship will help support Luke as he focuses on becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

Looking ahead: After earning his CPA, Luke plans to build a career in finance. Over time, he hopes to move into a leadership role where he can give back.

His advice for future applicants: “Be open about your story and your effort. Include experiences and achievements that reflect what matters most to you.”

Eight people stand together for the photo. At the center is a young woman holding an oversized WoodmenLife-branded check. The check is made out to Alazay M. in the amount of $10,000. The people immediately surrounding her are family members. The people on the ends of the group are WoodmenLife associates who presented the scholarship check. Behind the group are balloons and flowers.

Alazay M., Weimar, TX

Photo is a senior portrait of Alazay M., a WoodmenLife member in Weimar, TX. She is wearing a deep red short-sleeved shirt, and there are green bushes behind her.

College plans: Alazay will attend Sam Houston State University, where she plans to major in agricultural education and minor in animal reproduction.

What she’s working toward in college: Agriculture and education have always been part of Alazay’s life. In college, she plans to prepare for a future in agricultural education while continuing to build her knowledge of animal science. Her minor reflects her family’s long history of raising and showing livestock.

How the scholarship helps: The scholarship will help support Alazay as she works toward her degree and prepares for a future in agricultural education. It also helps cover college costs while she continues the work her parents modeled through years in agriculture.

Looking ahead: Alazay hopes to return to Weimar one day and continue the work of the local FFA. She wants to encourage students who didn’t grow up around agriculture and help them see the opportunities it offers.

She also plans to stay closely connected to her family’s agricultural roots. In the future, she hopes to help improve their cattle herd and support a family-run animal insemination business serving local producers.

Her advice for future applicants: “Be honest about where you come from and what matters to you. Sharing your background, goals, and influences can help your application stand out.”

$5,000 Recipients

In addition, the following students received $5,000 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarships:

Haley J., Savannah, TN
Zane B., Burleson, TX
Mary Ida B., Waverly, TN
Olivia M., Bristow, OK

You can see all of this year’s recipients at WoodmenLife.org/Congrats.

To learn more about the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship program, including how to qualify, visit WoodmenLife.org/Scholarships.

Written by: Diana Henry, Senior Digital Copywriter

1. WoodmenLife Extras are available to members. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a WoodmenLife product. These extras are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements, such as length of membership, number of qualifying members in the household and/or qualifying event.
Previous WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^® recipients are not eligible.

Congratulations to Our 2025 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^® Recipients

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