Scholarships from WoodmenLife Brighten Futures

They say that failing to plan is planning to fail. But if that’s true, it’s not a stretch to flip it and say that making big plans is planning to make it big. Which is just what scholarship winner Annaliese R. of Lafayette, LA, is doing.

Annaliese is the 2019 recipient of the $25,000 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship^®. She plans to use credit hours she earned in high school to graduate from Louisiana Tech University early. Her goal is to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance in less than four years.

“Due to this,” Annaliese said, “I will be able to move forward quickly onto my next steps in life.”

Her education goals also work well with her dream to build her calligraphy business, Bayou Lettering, into a national brand. Her hand-lettered wooden signs already are quite popular.

Passion for Service Matches Career Goals

For Annaliese, it’s not all about how much money she will make, but it’s about what she can do for others.

“I have grown up learning the values of volunteerism,” she said. “My parents have taught me from a young age to help others, in order to be a productive member of society.”

Annaliese has also participated in international mission trips six times. She’s served in Mexico four times and in India twice. She takes advantage of several volunteer opportunities through her church, including working with children. She has also volunteered as a Salvation Army bell ringer during the holidays, placed flags on Veterans graves and honored First Responders.

Placing flags for Veterans not only shows Annaliese’s passion for volunteering, but also her love of country.

“Patriotism means everything to me,” she said. “Patriotism means being proud of my country and proud of who I am. It means being proud of where I came from and who I am becoming.”

She’s also thankful for the freedom she enjoys as an American. This means she can speak up for what she believes in and voice pride in her country. Additionally, Annaliese said it means she has to work hard, strive to be the best that she can be and show others how to be a good citizen.

$20,000, $10,000 Scholarship Recipients Pursuing Their Dreams

Daniel K.

Daniel K. of La Crescenta, CA, was awarded the $20,000 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship. He will begin his college career at Vanderbilt University. He says he’s driven to be the best, but knows small accomplishments are important too – something he’s experienced while serving and talking with the homeless in his community.

Courtney W.

Courtney W. of Fair Oaks, CA, was awarded the $10,000 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship. Courtney’s passion for serving others is the focus of everything she does and plans to do. Working with orphans in Cuba taught her the importance of human interaction in making people whole. As she attends California State University, Sacramento to become a dentist, her inspiration is service. Courtney’s goal is to make dental care more available to the underprivileged. It’s the sort of common purpose that she believes reveals the best of America.

More Than 850 WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarships Awarded

Each year, hundreds of students submit applications showcasing their commitment to academics, community and country The scholarship program is available to high school graduates who are WoodmenLife members¹. The program awards up to $1 million annually to those furthering their education at a two-year or four-year college, university or technical or trade school. This year, WoodmenLife awarded more than 850 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000. Click here to learn more about the program or to view a full list of recipients.

1. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a WoodmenLife product.