Ryan Zirkle Memorial Marin Scholar Athlete Award Winners 2024

We are delighted to announce the three worthy recipients of the annual Ryan Zirkle Memorial Marin Scholar Athlete Award 2024.

The Ryan Zirkle Memorial Marin Scholar Athlete Award aims to inspire and encourage current and future Marin County high school scholar-athletes who emulate Ryan’s academic, athletic, and professional achievements.

MCAL Athletic Directors were asked by Ryan’s family to nominate worthy candidates who then submitted their written applications to a selection committee composed of Ryan’s closest family and friends.

The winners were awarded $2500 each to be paid directly to their college of choice.

•  Owen Bugas of Archie Williams High School, who plans to attend Cal Poly SLO, UC Berkeley or UC Santa Barbara in the fall, showed outstanding leadership and sportsmanship over four years of Varsity basketball while maintaining a 4.13 GPA and extracurricular activities including volunteering locally and serving on student government. Owen plans to study business at his chosen university.
• Allegra Di Carpegna of Archie Williams High School, who plans to attend UC Berkeley in the fall, played four years of Varsity tennis as well as JV and Varsity basketball serving as team captain of both sports. We commend her dedication to philanthropy, especially around youth mentorship, all while maintaining a 4.17 GPA.  Allegra plans to study statistics/data science in college.
• Michael Wick of Archie Williams High School, like Ryan, has two older brothers who also participated in Marin County athletics (at the same time as Ryan) as well as a family legacy of public service including law enforcement and firefighting. Michael participated in both baseball and football at Archie Williams and enjoyed sharing his love of athletics and the outdoors with local youth. Michael will pursue his passion for wilderness conservation at Mississippi State where he hopes to prepare for a career as a game warden, firefighter, or other area of law enforcement.

According to Ryan’s godfather and uncle, Charlie Christensen, “Words cannot express how honored we were to get to know all of the fine nominees. Each scholar-athlete was incredibly impressive on so many fronts, including academics, athleticism, leadership, and sense of community.  We were challenged to select only three winners, but in the end, felt that Owen, Allegra, and Michael best embody the spirit of this award. We are excited to support them on their bright and promising paths!”

Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Douglas Zirkle, age 24, passed away in the line of duty during the early hours of March 15, 2018. He was responding to a 911 hang up call. Ryan was a gifted scholar-athlete and a 2011 graduate of San Marin High School and 2015 graduate of California State University, Chico.

 

          

Owen Bugas                         Allegra Di Carpegna                         Michael Wick