Central scholarship recipients named

Central Insurance information

The 2014 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:

Cameron Etzler, son of Scott and Sandy Etzler, is a graduate of Crestview High School and plans to attend Anderson University majoring in marketing. While in high school, Etzler was a three-year varsity letter winner in both basketball and baseball, was named All-Conference, All-District, and All-Ohio for baseball, and was centerfielder for Crestview’s 2013 and 2014 state semi-finalist baseball team.

He was a member of National Honor Society, a youth group leader, Junior Rotarian, Student Council president, class treasurer, and class vice president (three years). Etzler was the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (two years) and was twice named a Northwest Conference scholar athlete and received honorable mention for both basketball and baseball. He was named to the Second Team and District 8 First Team for basketball, and the Times-Bulletin Dream Team. He also received special mention in the Northwest District. He was named a District 8 Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Athlete of the Week” and was an OIO Prep Profile Athlete Spotlight by WTLW. Etzler also volunteered his time with the American Red Cross blood drive and was a Salvation Army bell ringer. During high school, he worked in landscaping.

Lucas Gibson, son of Berry and Angie Gibson, graduated from Crestview High School and plans to attend Bowling Green State University majoring in business management. At Crestview, Gibson was active in National Honor Society, the varsity basketball team, and Future Farmers of America (FFA), serving as treasurer for two years. He participated in the Personal Finance Team Challenge, where his team placed third in the state as a semifinalist and he placed eighth individually. He also participated in several FFA career development events, placing third in the state for individual Ohio Cooperative Education, fifth in the state for individual Farm Business Management, and 34th in the nation for Farm Business Management. His team was state champion and placed 12th nationally for Farm Business Management. During high school, Gibson worked for Gibson Construction, Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ, and Sugar Ridge Church of God.

Kyle Keber, son of Ron and Tracy Keber, is a graduate of Van Wert High School and will be attending The Ohio State University majoring in Finance. During high school, Kyle was active in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, and German Club where he received Delta Epsilon Phi German honors. He was a two-year varsity letterman and captain of the basketball team. He was senior class president, a Junior Rotarian, and a Buckeye Boys State representative. He was a member of the Van Wert County 4-H Club for 10 years, serving two years as club president and was a 4-H camp counselor for three years. He also received an honorable mention in the Western Buckeye League for basketball. During high school, Keber completed an internship with Edward Jones, worked for Keber Farms, and as a house/dog sitter.

Lauren Mathew, daughter of Carey and Patricia Mathew, graduated from Van Wert High School and plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne majoring in accounting. During high school, she was active in Beta Club, Student Council, and Service Pack. Mathew was a member of the varsity soccer team and served as captain her junior and senior years. She has also received the Gold Renaissance Card multiple times. During high school, Mathew worked at B-K Root Beer and Pizza Hut, and as a babysitter.

Tanner Skelton, son of Wesley and Christina Skelton, is a graduate of Crestview High School and will be attending Xavier University majoring in accounting. While in high school, Skelton was active in the National Honor Society and was student body treasurer. He was a Buckeye Boys State representative and Junior Rotarian. He was the 2013 Ohio FFA Farm Business Management state winner, 2014 Van Wert American Legion Post Oratorical Contest winner, 2012 Ohio American Legion Americanism and Government Test state winner, and a member of the 2013 Ohio Personal Finance Challenge third place team. During high school, Skelton worked for Crestview Schools as a cameraman, film editor, and technology help.

Renewal Scholarships of $5,000 each were also awarded to Christina Holdgreve, Joseph Hurless, Caleb Markward, and Sierra Kesler.

The Central Insurance Companies Educational & Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program provides up to $5,000 to each student, which may be used toward 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 2014

Pursuing a major with a specific use towards a career position within the Central Insurance Companies or the insurance industry.