NEWS ARTICLE
May 27, 2021
Umialik, Western National Insurance Group Announce 2021 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: Amelia Christenson (Maple Grove, Minn.) Madelynn Dostal (Carlton, Minn.), Jacob Loosen (Hartford, Wisc.), Grace Prairie (Blaine, Minn.), Kamren Saue (Montevideo, Minn.), Macy Sigwarth (Holy Cross, Iowa), Madison Smith (Woodinville, Wash.), and Morgan Tracy (Burlington, Wisc.).
Amelia Christenson (Maple Grove, Minn.), daughter of Heather Christenson, will be a freshman this year at St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.) studying Biology and Pre-Medicine. In school, Amelia participated in concert band, was an academic mentor, and was captain of the varsity softball team. Outside of school, she has played club softball, co-coached a youth softball team, and spent time volunteering at the Maple Grove Hospital Labor & Delivery Unit.
Amelia’s mother, Heather, works in the IT Projects & Planning Department at Western National.
Madelynn Dostal (Carlton, Minn.), daughter of Jennifer and Andrew Dostal, will be a sophomore at George Washington University (Washington D.C.) studying International Affairs and Economics. In school, Madelynn has participated in George Washington University Women in Economics events. Outside of school, she participated in the Minnesota House of Representative High School Page Program, was a Junior Rotarian through her local Rotary Club, and contributed to stage performances for New Wine Performance Group.
Madelynn’s mother, Jennifer, is a Western National agency partner at Reliable Insurance Agency in Cloquet, Minn.
Jacob Loosen (Hartford, Wisc.), son of Cindy and Michael Loosen, will be a junior this year at University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, studying Psychology and Neuroscience. In school, Jacob has been involved with his local chapter of Camp Kemem, has been a member of the University Running Club, and has been a University Honor Ambassador. Outside of school, he has participated in his local community theater and has been involved with Citizen Advocates of Washington County.
Jacob’s mother, Cindy, is a Western National agency partner at Robertson Ryan & Associates in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Grace Prairie (Blaine, Minn.), daughter of Celeste and Tim Prairie, will be a freshman at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire studying Business. In school, Grace has participated in track, basketball, and soccer, and has been involved with the student council and her local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Outside of school, she participated in modeling and has played club soccer.
Grace’s mother, Celeste, works in the Customer Relationship Center at Western National.
Kamren Saue (Montevideo, Minn.), daughter of Thomas and Tina Saue, will be a senior at Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.) studying Elementary Education and Business. In school, Kamren has participated in intramural volleyball and basketball, and has been involved with the Concordia College Program Board. Outside of school, she has participated in Relay for Life and has volunteered her time with Project Linus, Feed My Starving Children, and Meals on Wheels.
Kamren’s father, Thomas, is a Western National agency partner at Citizens Alliance Agency in Clara City, Minn.
Macy Sigwarth (Holy Cross, Iowa), daughter of Richard and Bonnie Sigwarth, will be a freshman at Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa) studying Biology and Pre-Veterinary. In school, Macy participated in volleyball and Science Club, was a Student Ambassador, and was a member of National Honor Society. Outside of school, she has volunteered at a variety of school and parish events and as a trained handler at her local Humane Society.
Macy’s father, Richard, is a Western National agency partner at Cottingham and Butler in Dubuque, Iowa.
Madison Smith (Woodinville, Wash.), daughter of Shauna and Jeremy Smith, will be a sophomore this year at Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, Cali.) studying Economics. In school, Madison has been involved with the SCU Belles service organization. Outside of school, she has volunteered her time with Medical Teams International, Hopelink, Youth Migrant Project, and was a leader on several mission trips to Mexico.
Madison’s father, Jeremy, is a Western National agency partner at HUB International in Bothell, Wash.
Morgan Tracy (Burlington, Wisc.), daughter of Janine and Jon Tracy, will be a senior this year at Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisc.) studying Management, Marketing, and Spanish. In school, Morgan has been involved with the Carthage Business Book Club, Chi Omega Social Fraternity, and the Carthage College Dance Team. Outside of school, she has been involved with the Wisconsin Association of School Councils and has been a choreographer and assistant coach for the Burlington High School Dance Team.
Morgan’s mother, Janine, is a Western National agency partner at HNI Risk Advisors in New Berlin, Wisc.
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.
“It is an honor and a privilege to award these scholarships to such an impressive group of students,” said Rick Long, President and CEO. “These eight young men and women have proven themselves to be accomplished, hard-working, and generous with their time and energy. We congratulate our 2021 scholarship recipients on their success and look forward to their ongoing excellence in the communities where they study and live.”
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 Northern, Midwestern and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska: and surety bonds in 41 states. Together, the affiliated Group writes over $800 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:
Steve Norman, CPCU, M.A., AIT
Vice President - Communications & Customer Experience
(952) 921-5680 or (800) 862-6070 (Ext. 7680)
steven.norman@wnins.com
