NEWS ARTICLE
May 28, 2026
Michigan Millers and Western National Insurance Group Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients
(Lansing, Mich.) Michigan Millers Insurance and Western National Insurance Group today announced its Scholarship Committee has selected the following eleven applicants to receive merit-based scholarships for the upcoming fall term: Nolan Andresen (Woodbury, Minn.), Maria Buntjer (Long Prairie, Minn.), Caryn Childers (Mound, Minn.), Olivia Dodd (Waunakee, Wis.), LeeAnn Elliott (Wasilla, Alaska), Wyatt Henningsgard (Dresser, Wis.), Tegan Konold (Mobridge, S.D.), Brooke Litke (Little Falls, Minn.), Olivia Litke (Little Falls, Minn.), Annie Proudfoot (Dalton, Minn.), and Allison Sopke (Happy Valley, Ore.). You can read more about our 2026 scholarship recipients below.
Nolan Andresen (Woodbury, Minn.), child of Diane Andresen, will be a freshman this year at Minnesota State University, Mankato (Mankato, Minn.) studying finance. In school, Nolan participated in cross country and baseball. Outside of school, Nolan participated in recreational basketball and mentored younger athletes through the East Ridge Youth Baseball Field Crew.
Nolan’s mother, Diane, is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Western National Insurance Group.
Maria Buntjer (Long Prairie, Minn.), child of Mark and Kim Buntjer, will be a senior at the University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.) studying exercise science pre-physical therapy with minors in biomechanics and wellness. In school, Maria participated in FOCUS Bible Studies and Discipleship, intramural athletics, and run club. Outside of school, Maria participated in 4-H, Theodore Roosevelt Fellows, and was a youth summer softball coach.
Maria’s father, Mark, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Advantage 1 Insurance Agency in Long Prairie, Minn.
Caryn Childers (Mound, Minn.), child of Miranda and Courtney Childers, will be a junior at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (Madison, Wis.) studying finance, operations and technology management, and Spanish. In school, Caryn participated in Women in Business, the Minnesota Association of Student Councils, and Student Senate. Outside of school, Caryn participated in Letters of Love.
Caryn’s mother, Miranda, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at North Risk Partners in Plymouth, Minn.Olivia Dodd (Waunakee, Wis.), child of Steve Dodd, will be a junior at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (Madison, Wis.) studying marketing. In school, Olivia participated in Women in Business and Undergraduate Business Council. Outside of school, Olivia participated in Our Youth for the Climate.
Olivia’s father, Steve, is a Loss Control Consultant III at Western National Insurance Group.
LeeAnn Elliott (Wasilla, Alaska), child of Kristen Girton and Joshua Elliott, will be a freshman at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks (Fairbanks, Alaska) studying homeland security and emergency management. In school, LeeAnn participated in varsity soccer, marching band, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, LeeAnn participated in Wasilla youth soccer and vacation bible school.
LeeAnn’s mother, Kristen, is an Underwriting Associate II at Western National Insurance Group.
Wyatt Henningsgard (Dresser, Wis.), child of Scott and Shanin Henningsgard, will be a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (Madison, Wis.) studying biology and psychology. In school, Wyatt participated in varsity soccer, hockey, and golf. Outside of school, Wyatt was a youth soccer coach and a hospice volunteer.
Wyatt’s father, Scott, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Noah Insurance Group in Osceola, Wis.
Tegan Konold (Mobridge, S.D.), child of Jesse and Katie Konold, will be a freshman at the University of Mary (Bismark, N.D.) studying nursing. In school, Tegan participated in basketball, volleyball, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, Tegan volunteered with Mobridge Youth Organization and various other local community organizations.
Tegan’s father, Jesse, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Insight Partners in Lincoln, Neb.
Brooke Litke (Little Falls, Minn.), child of Laurie Kimman and Steve Litke, will be a freshman at Wartburg University (Waverly, Iowa) studying biology. In school, Brooke participated in tennis, Nordic skiing, and Link Crew. Outside of school, Brooke participated in Just for Kix dance and volunteered as a youth tennis coach.
Brooke’s mother, Laurie, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Kraus-Anderson Insurance in Burnsville, Minn.
Olivia Litke (Little Falls, Minn.), child of Laurie Kimman and Steve Litke, will be a freshman at Wartburg University (Waverly, Iowa) studying neuroscience. In school, Olivia participated in tennis, Nordic skiing, and international club. Outside of school, Olivia participated in Just for Kix dance and volunteered as a youth tennis coach.
Olivia’s mother, Laurie, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Kraus-Anderson Insurance in Burnsville, Minn.
Annie Proudfoot (Dalton, Minn.), child of Robert Proudfoot, will be a freshman at the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, N.D.) studying pre-medicine. In school, Annie participated in tennis, basketball, and softball. Outside of school, Annie participated in Otter Tail County Wyldlife and Otter Tail County Young Life.
Annie’s father, Robert, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at North Risk Partners in St. Cloud, Minn.
Allison Sopke (Happy Valley, Ore.), child of Craig and Melissa Sopke, will be a freshman at Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, Calif.) studying marketing and management. In school, Allison participated in Bizmart, DECA, and soccer. Outside of school, Allison participated in club soccer.
Allison’s father, Craig, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Highstreet Insurance Services West in Oregon City, Ore.
Scholarships are available annually to eleven 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 2026 scholarship recipients," said Rick Long, President and CEO. "For nineteen 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.”
Michigan Millers, headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, is a regional insurance carrier writing commercial and specialty lines primarily in the states of Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. Affiliated with the Western National Insurance Group since 2015, the companies write over $1 billion in Written Premium sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Jenson
Vice President - Communications & Business Transformation
julia.jenson@wnins.com
