BULLETIN
May 28, 2025
Western National Insurance Group Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients
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: Abigail Childs (Bloomington, Minn.), Audrey Hackett (Foley, Minn.), Ava Joos (Chanhassen, Minn.), Bella Nawrocki (Fridley, Minn.), Emma Settem (Somerset, Wis.), McKenna Simmons (Edina, Minn.), Logan Souders (Gold Hill, Ore.), and Adalynn Sweeney (Rochester, Minn.). You can read more about our 2025 scholarship recipients below.
Abigail Childs (Bloomington, Minn.), child of Andrew and Tamera Childs, will be a freshman this year at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) studying engineering physics or environmental engineering. In school, Abigail was involved in Earth Corps, National Honor Society, and Coding Club. Outside of school, she volunteered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and VEAP Food Pantry, and served as Youth Commissioner with the Bloomington Sustainability Commission.
Abigail’s father, Andrew, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Innovative Insurance Services in Shakopee, Minn.
Audrey Hackett (Foley, Minn.), child of Jay and Tonia Hackett, will be a freshman this year at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.) studying journalism. In school, Audrey was involved in Minnesota Honor Society, Unified Club, Conservation Club, and volleyball. Outside of school, she volunteered at the CROSS Center.
Audrey’s father, Jay, is a Claims Manager at Western National Insurance Group.
Ava Joos (Chanhassen, Minn.), child of Christopher and Andrea Joos, will be a freshman this year at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.) studying international studies and Spanish. In school, Ava was involved in Choir, Swim and Dive, and Student Council. Outside of school, she participated in the West Express Club Swim Team and church choir.
Ava’s father, Christopher, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at A.A. Segner Insurance Agency in Chanhassen, Minn.
Bella Nawrocki (Fridley, Minn.), child of Svetlana Nawrocki, will be a senior this year at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul (St. Paul, Minn.) studying Spanish education and ESL (English as a Second Language) education. In school, Bella was involved in theatre, speech team, and World Language Department Chapels. Outside of school, she volunteered at Paxis Inclusión and Presbyterian Homes- Johanna Shores, and taught English at Santisuk English School.
Bella’s mother, Svetlana, is a Reinsurance Accountant Analyst at Western National Insurance Group.
Emma Settem (Somerset, Wis.), child of Jeffrey and Melissa Settem, will be a freshman this year at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.) studying accounting. In school, Emma was involved in National Honor Society, track and field, and Student Council. Outside of school, she spent time tutoring in an elementary school and participated in gymnastics.
Emma’s father, Jeffrey, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Christensen Group in Eden Prairie, Minn.
McKenna Simmons (Edina, Minn.), child of Christina and Tyler Simmons, will be a freshmen at Boston College (Newton, Mass.) studying business. In school, McKenna was involved with Letters of Love, choir, peer tutoring, and Girls Book Club, she also participated in volleyball. Outside of school, she was involved with Saint Jude Leadership Society, the Edina Girls Athletic Association, and her churches youth group.
McKenna’s father, Tyler, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Christensen Group in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Logan Souders (Gold Hill, Ore.), child of Holly Dale, will be a sophomore this year the University of Oregon (Eugene, Ore.) studying film. In school, Logan was involved in St. Mary’s School Recycling Club, and St. Mary’s School Diversity Club. Outside of school, she was involved with Hanley Farm – Southern Oregon Historical Society.
Logan’s mother, Holly, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Hub International NW in Eugene, Ore.
Adalynn Sweeney (Rochester, Minn.), child of Bridget and Chris Sanders, will be a junior this year at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.) studying human physiology and Spanish. In school, Adalynn has been involved with Undergraduate Student Government and the Social Justice Living Learning Community. Outside of school, she volunteered with the International Medical Alliance and has been involved with the Mayo Clinic Medical School Simulation Lab.
Adalynn’s father, Chris, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Farmers Union Insurance Agency in Rochester, 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 Insurance Group, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 scholarship recipients," said Rick Long, President and CEO. "For eighteen years, we’ve proudly supported the college goals of the children of our agency partners and employees. This year’s recipients have shown outstanding dedication both in and out of the classroom, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities.”
Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies. The Group writes business 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 is affiliated with Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. Together, the affiliated Group writes over $1 billion in personal and commercial direct premium in 20 states across the Northern, Midwestern, and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 43 states. All of the companies’ products are sold exclusively through professional independent insurance agents.
For more information, please contact:
Julia Jenson, AINS
Vice President, Communications and Business Transformation
(952) 303-8789
julia.jenson@wnins.com
