Central selects scholarship recipients

VW independent/submitted information

The 2016 recipients of the Central Insurance Companies Educational & Charitable Foundation Scholarships have been selected. This scholarship program was created to reward and support graduates pursuing educational degrees that may eventually lead to careers in the property and casualty insurance industry.

The following students have been selected as recipients:

Hannah Bowen, a graduate of Crestview High School and the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Bowen, plans to attend Ohio Northern University majoring in business management. While in high school, she served in several leadership positions, including Student Body president, Student Council president (two years), FFA secretary, and head of the Publicity Committee for Kids Against Hunger.

She was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and National Honor Society. She was recognized with the Academic Award of Excellence (three years), Crestview FFA Dekalb Leadership Award, and as the Elks Student of the Month. She served as county prosecutor at Buckeye Girls State, and placed first in the 2015 State Farm Business Management Test, both individually and with her team.

Bowen was a member of the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams and participated in two school musicals. She was a member of two church youth groups and volunteered her time with the Village Ministry Center, American Red Cross blood drive, Van Wert County Historical Society, and several other organizations. During high school, she worked summers farming and providing child care.

Nicholas Etter, a graduate of Van Wert High School and the son of Brad and Laura Etter, plans to attend Bowling Green State University majoring in accounting, with a minor in risk management.

At Van Wert, Etter participated on the tennis team and was named to the All-Western Buckeye League (WBL) team, was named a scholar athlete, and received the Coach’s Award multiple times. He was a Junior Rotarian and volunteered his time for several local organizations, including Van Wert Rotary Club, the YMCA of Van Wert County, Thomas Edison, Van Wert’s Blessings in a Backpack program, and the Van Wert County Tennis Association.

He also served as an educational intern for Van Wert Elementary School. During high school, Nick worked part-time at Central Insurance Companies, Marsh Supermarkets, and Willow Bend Country Club.

Braden Thatcher, a graduate of Lincolnview High School and the son of Craig and Renee Thatcher, will be attending Bowling Green State University majoring in computer science with a minor in business. During high school, Thatcher was a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, participated in drama, and served as a student aid to the school’s technology coordinator. He was a four-year letterman for the golf team.

Thatcher was honored with an Elks Student of the Month award and selected to participate in the state FFA Talent Show. He was actively involved in 4-H for six years and worked part-time at Wild Willy’s Pizza and on his family’s farm.

Renewal scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to Emily Bair, Maia Carisa Burgos, Cameron Etzler, Micah Germann, Lucas Gibson, Joseph Hurless, Kyle Keber, Sierra Kesler, Hannah Leary, Caleb Markward, Lauren Mathew, Tyler Ruger, and Tanner Skelton.

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 that they:

Demonstrate academic promise and good character with a minimum 3.0 GPA in high school,

Complete an extensive application with a personally written essay and two letters of recommendation,

Plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary educational institution on a full-time basis by the end of 2016, and pursue a major with a specific use towards a career position within the Central Insurance Companies or the insurance industry.