Central names 2013 scholarship winners

Central Insurance news

The 2013 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:

Sierra Kesler, a graduate of Van Wert High School, plans to attend Bowling Green State University majoring in actuarial science.  While in high school, Kesler was active in Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, the Cougar Mentor Team, and Beta Club. She was a member of the varsity soccer team and served as team captain. She received the Good Attitude Award and volunteered over 130 hours with various organizations in the community. Kesler also worked as a crewmember at McDonald’s. She is the daughter of Kent and Diane Kesler.

Joseph Hurless graduated from Van Wert High School and plans to attend Ohio Northern University majoring in business.  At VWHS, Hurless was a four-year member of both the National Honor Society and the Beta Club, and a four-year scholar-athlete. He was a leader in the Lifehouse Church Youth Group, HOBY Leadership Conference ambassador, a Student Rotarian, and member of Delta Epsilon Phi Honors Society Chapter in German. He served as president of the Service Pack and was state runner-up in the government “We the People” competition. Hurless was also named a WBL scholar. During high school, Hurless worked as an umpire for the Van Wert Parks Department and in lawn maintenance. He is the son of Mark and Cindy Hurless.

Caleb Markward is a graduate of Van Wert High School and will be attending The Ohio State University majoring in economics. During high school, Caleb served as the 4-H Club president, was varsity soccer captain for three years, French Club president for two years, and class treasurer for three years. He was a 2012 Buckeye Boys State delegate. Markward was also a finalist for the R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award. During high school, he spent a summer working as a congressional page for the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He also performed yard work and maintenance. He is the son of Kenneth and Marie Markward.

Renewal scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to Curtis Germann, Michael Nuttle, Christina Holdgreve, 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 2013, and
• Pursuing a major with a specific use towards a career position within the Central Insurance Companies or the insurance industry.