Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation announces 2023 scholarship winners

The Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation announced today the recipients of scholarships for two area high school seniors: Mackenzie Sloan and Tyler Schick.

Since 2019, American Family Insurance and the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation have committed to funding scholarships for local high school students.

Each year two deserving local high school seniors who meet certain criteria and live in the Wisconsin counties of Dane or Rock are awarded scholarships to help reach their educational goals. This year’s recipients will each receive a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500 per year up to a total of four years).

2023 recipients

Mackenzie Sloan will graduate from Middleton High School this year and will attend UW-Madison in the fall, planning to study biomedical engineering. Throughout her high school journey, Mackenzie has been actively involved in several organizations and clubs. She was in the marching band, the sports editor of the school newspaper, a member of the National Charity League, the National Honor Society and the engineering club.

Outside of academics and extracurriculars, golf has played a significant role in Mackenzie's life. She developed a passion for the sport at a young age and has loved the game ever since. Despite facing a challenging diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia during her sophomore year, she persevered and continued to pursue her love for golf. Her experience with the unpredictable nature of the game paralleled her journey, teaching her valuable life lessons about resilience and embracing both the highs and lows. Mackenzie will be hitting the ceremonial first tee shot at the opening of the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship on Friday, June 9, as a former American Family Children’s Hospital patient, highlighting her inspirational journey.

Tyler Schick will graduate this year from Sun Prairie East High School. Tyler will attend Lake Forest College in Illinois following graduation and pursue a degree in business while playing on the men’s golf team. Along with playing for his high school golf team, Tyler co-founded a charity golf outing to benefit children with special needs, as well as coached with the First Tee of South Central Wisconsin.

In college, Tyler looks forward to advancing both his education and golf career. He plans to pursue a career in professional golf management, specifically in teaching or coaching, so he can continue to have an impact and help others enjoy the game of golf.

AmFam Champ proceeds fund scholarship program

The scholarship program is funded with proceeds from the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship distributed through the Foundation, which has also distributed grants to the American Family Children’s Hospital and hundreds of charitable organizations.

Scholarship criteria

Scholarship applicants have to be high school seniors and earn at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate participation in the game of golf through competitive participation, recreational participation, employment at a golf course or golf retailer, caddying at a golf course, and/or by volunteering at a golf tournament. They must also display exemplary character, leadership and community service, along with other requirements.

The Scholarship application process was administered by a third party, Scholarship America.

For more information about the PGA TOUR American Family Insurance Championship, visit the tournament website.

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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. 
Web: https://www.amfam.com/sponsorships/amfamchampionship/foundation; 
Twitter: @StrickerFNDN

About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised nearly $15 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2023 championship will be held June 3 -11 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship. #AmFamChamp