NEWS ARTICLE
May 24, 2023
Umialik, Western National Insurance Group Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients
(Anchorage, Alaska) Umialik Insurance Company and 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: We are pleased to announce that our Scholarship Committee has selected the following eight applicants to receive merit-based college scholarships worth $3,000 each for the upcoming fall term: Hannah Barchus (Backus, Minn.), Kaitlinn Benson (Millcreek, Utah), McKenzie Boothman (Anchorage, Alaska), Kaylee Borup (Logan, Utah), Mark Hurst (De Pere, Wis.), Bella Nawrocki (Plymouth, Minn.), Dakota Oswalt (Atlantic, Iowa), and Tyler Revolinski (Buffalo, Minn.).
Hannah Barchus (Backus, Minn.), daughter of Kristofor and Amy Barchus, will be a freshman this year at North Dakota State University (Fargo, N.D.) studying Business. In school, Hannah has been involved with her high school’s student council, concert and pep band, and varsity-level volleyball, basketball, and golf. Outside of school, she has been a member of the Rotary Club and was elected to Miss Pine River Royal Court.
Hannah’s father, Kristofor, is a Western National agency partner at Cass Company Insurance Agency in Hackensack, Minn.
Kaitlinn Benson (Millcreek, Utah), daughter of Corey and Shannon Benson, will be a freshman this year at Utah State University (Logan, Utah) studying Food Science. In school, Kaitlinn has participated in soccer, a University of Utah State Math Contest, and has been involved with SheTech, a club for girls who are interested in STEM. Outside of school, she has participated in club soccer, the Chalk It Up! Art Festival, and has volunteered her time as a youth soccer coach.
Kaitlinn’s father, Corey, is a Western National agency partner at Moreton & Company in Salt Lake City, Utah.
McKenzie Boothman (Anchorage, Alaska), daughter of Michael and Jenniffer Boothman, will be a freshman at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (Anchorage, Alaska) studying Nursing. In school, McKenzie was part of the National Honors Society, participated in the Brain Bee Competition, and played the flute and piano in band. Outside of school, she has volunteered her time for children’s ministries at Mountain City Church and tutored elementary school children.
McKenzie’s father, Michael, is a Sr. Claims Representative at Umialik.
Kaylee Borup (Logan, Utah), daughter of Paul Borup, will be a junior this year at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) studying Animation. In school, Kaylee has participated in Speech and Debate, Key Club, and musical theater. Outside of school, she has participated in the North Logan Pumpkin Walk and has been a member of the Stake Youth Council for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kaylee’s father, Paul, is a Western National agency partner at Sentry West Insurance Services in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mark Hurst (De Pere, Wis.), son of Twila and Paul Hurst, will be a junior this year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wis.) studying Biochemistry and Legal Studies. In school, Mark has participated in the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicins Sans Frontières, and the Pre-Law Society at UW Madison. Outside of school, he has contributed to the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research and has volunteered his time at the Bellin Emergency Department.
Mark’s mother, Twila, is a Western National agency partner at Ansay & Associates in De Pere, Wis.
Bella Nawrocki (Plymouth, Minn.), daughter of Svetlana and Adam Nawrocki, will be a freshman this year at the University of Northwestern (St. Paul, Minn.) studying Spanish Education and English as a Second Language Education. In school, Bella has participated in speech, theater, and the Minnesota State High School League One Act Play. Outside of school, she has been involved with the American Legion Auxiliary Minnesota Girls State and volunteered her time at Presbyterian Homes-Johanna Shores and with Eagle Brook Church Kids' Ministry.
Bella’s mother, Svetlana, is a Reinsurance Accountant Analyst at Western National.
Dakota Oswalt (Atlantic, Iowa), daughter of Jessica and Nathan Oswalt, will be a freshman this year at Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville, Mo.) studying English, Journalism, and Literature. In school, Dakota has participated in AHS Fuel, the National Honor Society, and the student newspaper. Outside of school, she has participated in dance and volunteered her time at church and gathered information for a local kids’ app.
Dakota’s mother, Jessica, is a Western National agency partner at Armour Insurance in Griswold, Iowa.
Tyler Revolinski (Buffalo, Minn.), son of Tina Revolinski, will be a freshman this year at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) studying Pre-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Philosophy. In school, Tyler has been involved in Student Government, the National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, soccer, and wrestling. Outside of school, he has worked to increase awareness around mental health issues and illnesses through presentations and a support group he started.
Tyler’s mother, Tina, is a Western National agency partner at Marsh & McLennan Agency in Golden Valley, Minn.
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.
"On behalf of everyone at Western National, I extend our warmest regards and congratulations to each of our 2023 scholarship recipients," said Rick Long, President and CEO. "For the past sixteen years, we have had the privilege of supporting the collegiate education of the children of our agency partners and employees through this scholarship. It is our goal that this scholarship helps support these students in their educational pursuits."
Umialik Insurance Company, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, has served the property-and-casualty insurance needs of Alaskans since 1981. Umialik is a member of Western National Insurance Group, a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies providing personal and commercial coverage in 19 states across the Midwestern, Northern, and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 38 states. Together, the affiliated Group writes over $900 million in personal and commercial direct premium through five active insurance companies—Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Western National Assurance Company, Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company, Umialik Insurance Company, and American Freedom Insurance Company—and through one affiliate, Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. All of the companies’ products are sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Jenson, AINS
Assistant Vice President, Communications
(952) 303-8789
julia.jenson@wnins.com
