Central names 2 scholarship winners

Van Wert independent/Central Insurance information

The 2011 recipients of the Central Insurance Companies Educational & Charitable Foundation Scholarships have been selected. This scholarship program was created to reward and support graduates who are pursuing educational degrees that may eventually lead to careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. Central congratulates the following students who have been selected as recipients:

Christina Lynn Holdgreve, a graduate of Crestview High School, plans to attend Bowling Green State University majoring in actuarial/mathematics.  While in high school, Christina was National Honor Society president, a class officer, a Junior Rotarian, and played in the jazz band.  She received the Crestview Mathematics Academic Award the past four years and has taken several advanced placement classes.  She volunteers with the Red Cross, YWCA, The Salvation Army, and Van Wert Historical Museum. She also attended a missions trip with her church to Toronto, Canada, and, along with serving in homeless shelters, tutored students in math.

Holdgreve is employed at the Sycamore Ice Cream Shop and as a babysitter.  She is the daughter of Donald and Lynnette Holdgreve.

Michael Zenk Jr. graduated from Central Catholic High School in Toledo and plans to attend Central Michigan University majoring in entrepreneurship.  At Central Catholic, Zenk was a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving two years as co-president.  He was a four-year varsity football letterman, and a member of the Environmental Club, track team, Spiritual Commission, and the Catholic Identity Council.  He volunteers at Central Catholic promotional events and benefits, and through his parish by working with the elderly and at kids’ sports camps.

Zenk is the son of Michael and Cynthia Zenk.

Renewal scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to Douglas Bair, Stacy Giessler, Thaison Leaser, Briggs Orsbon, Kelsey Perkins, Rick Shindeldecker, Keith Thompson, Curtis Germann, Michael Nuttle, Amanda Shindeldecker, and Lauren Taylor.

The Central Insurance Companies Educational & Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program provides up to $5,000 to each student, which may be used towards tuition, books, other related school fees, and room and board. It is an annual scholarship that may be renewed up to three additional years. Students were selected based on several criteria including:

• Demonstrated academic promise and good character with a minimum 3.0 GPA in high school,
• Completed an extensive application with a personally written essay and two letters of recommendation,
• Plans to attend an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary educational institution on a full-time basis by the end of 2011, and
• Pursuing a major with a specific use towards a career position within the Central Insurance Companies or the insurance industry.