NEWS ARTICLE
May 24, 2018
Western National Insurance Group Announces 2018 Scholarship Recipients
(Minneapolis, Minn.) Western National Insurance Group today announced that its Scholarship Committee has selected the following eight applicants to receive merit-based college scholarships worth $3,000 each for the upcoming fall term: Abigail Aanonsen (St. Paul, Minn.), Emily Benz (Wabasso, Minn.), Sidney Moore (Marshfield, Wis.), Molly Overkamp (St. Paul, Minn.), D’aviyan Robinson (Crystal, Minn.), Jake Silver (Highland Park, Ill.), Zachary Splonskowski (Madison, Minn.), and Sarah Vos (Caputa, S.D.).
Abigail Aanonsen (St. Paul, Minn.), daughter of Kay and Lee Aanonsen, will be a freshman this year at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Accounting. In school, she has played on the volleyball team and served as a member of DECA, Student Council, and the Political Affairs Club. Outside of school, she has volunteered at her church and coached volleyball.
Abigail’s mother, Kay, is a Western National agency partner at Marsh and McLennan Agency in Minneapolis, Minn.
Emily Benz (Wabasso, Minn.), daughter of Nichole and Brett Benz, will be a freshman this year at Minnesota State University – Mankato studying Psychology. In school, she has served as Captain of the softball and cross country teams and participated in theatre and choir. Outside of school, she has coached basketball and accompanied members of her church on a mission trip.
Emily’s father, Brett, works in the Claims Department at Western National.
Sidney Moore (Marshfield, Wis.), daughter of Debra and Michael Moore, will be a freshman this year at Monmouth College (Monmouth, Ill.) studying Exercise Science. In school, she has served as Captain of the volleyball and basketball teams and as Class President. Outside of school, she has coached basketball and volunteered with her church.
Sidney’s mother, Debra, is a Western National agency partner at Burns Insurance Agency in Marshfield, Wis.
Molly Overkamp (St. Paul, Minn.), daughter of Deborah and David Overkamp will be a freshman this year at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Neuroscience and Psychology. In school, she has served as Captain of the volleyball team and as Student Body President. Outside of school, she has volunteered with the Red Cross and the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Molly’s mother, Deborah, is a Western National agency partner at CBIZ Inc in Minneapolis, Minn.
D’aviyan Robinson (Crystal, Minn.), daughter of Mandy Robinson, will be a freshman this year at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Biology. In school, she has served as a member of the school newspaper, the National Honor Society, and the American Sign Language Club. Outside of school, she has volunteered with Methodist Hospital and the St. Louis Park Emergency Program.
D’aviyan’s mother, Mandy, works in the Personal Lines Department at Western National.
Jake Silver (Highland Park, Ill.), son of Tara and Todd Silver, will be a freshman this year at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.) studying Business, Human and Organizational Development. In school, he has served as President of the Investment Club, Chief Financial Officer of the Microloan Club, and as a member of the Student Senate. Outside of school, he has volunteered at Moraine Township Food Pantry & Garden and been a coach for Hi-Five Sports Club and Camp.
Jake’s father, Todd, is a Western National agency partner at Rand-Tec Insurance Agency in Vernon Hills, Ill.
Zachary Splonskowski (Madison, Minn.), son of Sara and Daniel Splonskowski, will be a junior this year at the College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minn.) studying Accounting and Finance. In school, he has served as President of Investments Club and as a member of Accounting Club, Math Club, and Drumline. Outside of school, he has participated in a mission trip to Guatemala.
Zachary’s mother, Sara, is a Western National agency partner at Klein Insurance in Madison, Minn.
Sarah Vos (Caputa, S.D.), daughter of Dallas and Wade Vos, will be a sophomore this year at South Dakota State University (Brookings, S.D.) studying Animal Science. In recent school years, she has served as Senior Class Co-President, Treasurer of National Honor Society, and as a peer mentor and tutor. Outside of school, she has served as President of 4-H and participated in rodeos.
Sarah’s mother, Dallas, is a Western National agency partner at Western Dakota Insurors in Rapid City, S.D.
Scholarships are available annually to eight eligible, college-enrolled children of Western National Insurance Group partner agents and employees in the Group’s states of operation. Applications are judged on a variety of criteria (including academics, curricular and extra-curricular activity participation, a letter of recommendation, and an essay), with students’ identifying information hidden from the judges to ensure the integrity of the scoring process.
“We’re pleased to be able to award these scholarships to such a talented and accomplished group of students,” said Stuart Henderson, President & Chief Executive Officer. “These eight young men and women have excelled in their studies, their in-school and extracurricular activities, their creativity, and their leadership among their peers. They represent a very bright future, and we hope you will join us in congratulating them as our ‘Class of 2018’.”
Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies providing personal and commercial coverage in 20 states across the Midwestern and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 32 states. The Group writes over $620 million in Direct Premium through eight active insurance companies—Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Western National Assurance Company, Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company, Western Home Insurance Company, Arizona Auto Insurance Company, Umialik Insurance Company, American Freedom Insurance Company, and Nevada General Insurance Company—and through one affiliate, Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. All of the Group’s products are sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.
For further information, please contact:
Steve Norman, CPCU, M.A., AIT
Vice President – Communications
(952) 921–5680 or (800) 862–6070 Ext. 7680
steven.norman@wnins.com
