Forging a Future: How Lucas Balances Welding, Dog Training, and School Success with the Help of Online Learning 

At just 16 years old, Lucas, a tenth grader at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, has already built more than most teens his age. Whether it’s restoring a truck from scratch alongside his dad, training bird dogs in the early morning hours, or mapping out a career path that blends trade skills and science, Lucas is doing it all with unmistakable focus and drive.

Lucas joined Destinations Career Academy of Colorado in seventh grade; for a hands-on learner like Lucas, the structure of a brick-and-mortar school didn’t quite fit. He found the balance he needed in online school, and it’s been a game-changer ever since he made the shift. The asynchronous learning option at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado allows him to shape his schedule around early mornings at work and late nights in the workshop. 

Most days, Lucas is up before the sun rises, often at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. working with dogs and guiding hunts, at remodeling job sites with his dad, or in the welding shop fabricating something new. He appreciates being able to structure his classes around this active lifestyle. 

At just 10 years old, he started hanging out at a hunting club and started learning the ins and outs of training bird dogs for upland game bird hunting. Over the years, he’s worked through blizzards, setbacks, and hard-earned wins, learning how to train, guide, and breed bird dogs. 

He’s developed an eye for potential, often identifying natural ability in puppies early on. This was proven by his ability to choose a dame and a sire resulting in breeding the ultimate bird dog. This puppy earned Lucas a Junior Hunter title at just six months old. One memorable story involved taking back a previously sold puppy, training the dog and selling it as a “starter dog.”  

When he’s not training dogs, Lucas is likely in the shop welding and working with his dad who is a professional carpenter and owns his own business. Lucas grew up by his side on job sites and in the garage. Together, they recently completed a major milestone, rebuilding an entire truck for Lucas’s 16th birthday. 

Lucas has made the most of his education at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, often going above and beyond with coursework. Within the first two months of school, he had logged more than 180 hours for his work experience class, more than many students complete in a semester. Lucas hopes to attend a trade school starting in his junior year to pursue a welding certification. He’s also interested in pursuing a park ranger career.  

Lucas’s mother describes him in one word – driven. Despite facing challenges, including reading struggles, Lucas remains steadfast in his goals, which includes graduating one year early. He’s thoughtful about who he spends time with, often preferring the company of his dogs or the satisfaction of building something with his hands over hanging out or playing video games. 

That same mindset has led him to success in other areas, too. He’s participated in junior rodeo, 4-H livestock shows, and even a competitive shooting team, where he secured a sponsor for his ammunition and his competition shotgun by cold-calling businesses at just 13 years old.

At Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, students like Lucas are proving that the future belongs to those willing to forge their own way, sometimes literally, with sparks flying.