PORT ANGELES — A day of benefits to fund two $10,000 “Mason Zeigler Memorial Scholarships” for members of the Port Angeles High School Class of 2014 came up just short of the goal, organizers said Sunday.
Four events held Saturday earned $17,000 to go toward the scholarships.
“It went very well,” said Tami Ziegler of Port Angeles, Mason Ziegler’s mother and organizer of the scholarship event.
“We almost made our goal.”
Mason Ziegler was 16 when he died last August in a motorcycle wreck in Oregon and would have been a member of the Class of 2014 at the high school.
Selection of the scholarship recipients probably will be based on the students’ personal integrity, rather than academic or athletic prowess, the family announced in June.
A 10 a.m. Street Bike Run and Vintage Bike Show at Port Angeles Power Equipment, 2624 E. U.S. Highway 101, attracted 74 motorcyclists.
In addition, 65 bikers took part in a 10 a.m. non-competitive motocross-grand prix, and 160 people registered for a 2 p.m. 5K/10K walk/run at Port Angeles City Pier.
A Saturday evening spaghetti dinner and silent auction at the Vern Burton Community Center was packed, but there was no immediate estimate for how many attended, Tami Ziegler said.
Many of the attendees of the events were family, friends and clients of Tami Ziegler, owner/stylist at Hair Solutions, 1112 E. Front St.
Others were former classmates of Mason Ziegler, but many were simply community members who showed up to support the scholarship, she said.
“It was supportive and loving for those who needed it during this difficult time,” she said.
Overall, the events were a gathering of people who loved the late teen.
“We are missing Mason. It gave some healing and gave us another chance for many of us to get together on a good note,” his mother said.
More fundraising for the $20,000 scholarship will be led by Selena Harmon, 17, a longtime friend of Mason’s.
She led an ice cream stand at the dinner that was run by nine members of the Class of 2014.
The stand earned $500 toward the scholarship Saturday and will be available for additional community events in the Port Angeles area through the summer, Harmon said.
“It’s another way to help remember Mason,” she said.
To book the ice cream stand for an event, phone Harmon at 360-477-1545
Donations also can be made to the Mason Ziegler Memorial Fund at Strait-View Credit Union, 220 S. Lincoln St., Port Angeles.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
