WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship® Helped Young Member Launch Welding Career

Since its start in 2017, the WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship¹ program has recognized 5,958 young members across the United States and awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships. In 2025, WoodmenLife awarded 626 scholarships.

With the application period now open, WoodmenLife caught up with a past scholarship recipient to see where life has taken him and how the scholarship helped him get there.

Lane Allen

Arkansas Elite Welding Academy, Quitman, AR

Lane Allen knew early on that he wanted to work with his hands. Growing up in Bismarck, AR, he spent time during high school in the shop, working on projects and learning the basics of welding. That’s when things clicked.

“I started working for a guy who taught me a lot,” Allen said. “He mentored me and helped me figure out how to do things the right way.”

After graduating high school in 2023, Allen used his WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship to help offset the cost of attending Arkansas Elite Welding Academy in Quitman, AR. Welding school taught him the skills he needed to start working.

“You don’t have to go to welding school to be a welder,” Allen said. “But it gives you a foundation so you’re not clueless when you start. It helped me a lot.”

Since March 2024, Allen has been working full time as a welder for his family’s business, JA Farms Feed in Bismarck. The company makes livestock feed, and Allen helps run the pellet mills and keeps everything working smoothly.

“I do all the welding for the business,” he said. “And on the weekends, I take on side jobs, too. There’s always something that needs welding.”

Allen sees welding as an important trade that keeps America going.

“It can be stressful sometimes, and there are a lot of different types of welding,” he said. “But once you figure it out, it’s a great job.”

His advice for students considering trade school or applying for a scholarship?

“Don’t give up halfway through,” Allen said. “Give it time and figure it out. It’s worth it.”

WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship Deadline

Applications for this year’s WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. Central Time. WoodmenLife members who graduated high school in 2024 or 2025 or will graduate in 2026 are encouraged to apply. The scholarship can be used for education-related expenses at accredited universities, colleges, and trade schools.

Visit WoodmenLife.org/Scholarships for complete eligibility requirements and to apply.

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.

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