Every year, Woven Metal Products awards the Spark for the Future Scholarship to a Houston-area student pursuing a future career in welding or metal fabrication.
This year, that student is J’Veon Thompson, a recent graduate of Hempstead High School who already has dreams of building a business, one weld at a time.
Jveon is in training at Arclab Welding School in Houston, working through a 900-hour program in industrial maintenance and welding. But his story starts several years ago when he took his first welding class in 9th grade. He’s been hooked ever since.
“I like welding because I like working with my hands and creating things that require skill, precision and dedication,” J’Veon says. “That’s my future. That’s what I’m trying to chase.”
From BBQ Pits to Big Projects
For J’Veon, welding stopped being just a class the moment he realized he could build things people actually wanted to buy. While in high school, he built two BBQ pits with his welding skills and sold both.
That’s the kind of hands-on, entrepreneurial spark that’s driving him now. His long-term goal isn’t just landing a job; he wants to create a business. He wants to make and sell trailers and eventually take on welding for bigger structures like bridges.
School counselors, friends and student welding competitions all played a role in pointing him toward this path.
“I always knew I wanted to continue my education after graduation, but I also knew that a traditional college path was not for me,” says J’Veon. “I learn better through hands-on work rather than sitting in a classroom all day.”
Competing alongside classmates pushed him to sharpen his skills and build the confidence to see welding as a real career, not just a class.
He’s already earned his OSHA certification and is currently focused on stick welding,. He’s working his way through fundamental fillet and groove weld positions (1F – 4F and 1G), covering everything from flat and horizontal welds to more demanding vertical and overhead positions.
So far, he’s logged 141 hours of his 900-hour program and expects to complete the program at the end of 2026.
Advice for the Next Generation
J’Veon considered driving a truck before choosing welding, as he ultimately wanted a job where he could home every day with family. He also wanted a career where the ceiling is as high as he’s willing to build it.
His advice for other students weighing a trade career is simple: “Keep it going. Don’t let anyone talk you down from doing it.”
Investing in the Next Generation of Welders
The Spark for the Future Scholarship from Woven Metal Products exists to support students like J’Veon, who have the drive to learn a skilled trade and the ambition to turn it into something bigger.
“We believe the future of American manufacturing and fabrication depends on students willing to put in the hours, master the fundamentals, make their career path their own,” says Russell Hillenburg, President & CEO of WMP. “It’s encouraging to see students like J’Veon putting in that work to achieve his dreams.”
Congratulations J’Veon Thompson, our 2026 Spark for the Future Scholarship winner. We can’t wait to see what he builds next.
Applications for the 2027 Spark for the Future Scholarship open in December 2026.
Learn more about Spark for the Future and our Woven Together community outreach program at wovenmetal.com/about/spark-for-the-future-scholarship.