Adam Zirkle Is East Lincoln's Salutatorian

DENVER––When it comes to academics, you might say Adam Zirkle is all business.

Come August, the 18-year-old will be off to major in business at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. But right now, Zirkle is enjoying being the salutatorian for East Lincoln High School’s class of 2023.

He’s following in the footsteps of elder brother Luke Zirkle, now 24, whom we covered here in The Herald back in ’17, when he was then East Lincoln’s valedictorian. And local sports fans will recall elder brother Ben Zirkle, 22, for his days as a basketball stand-out for the Mustangs. All three young men are the sons of Mark and Shawn Zirkle. Mrs. Zirkle teaches math at East Lincoln.

On Friday, right after East Lincoln’s commencement ceremonies earlier that evening, Adam Zirkle told us more about his time at ELHS.

“I was raised right here in Denver,” he said, “and what a blessing it’s been! Of course, I’ve struggled with a desire to see the world. But I couldn’t be more thankful for my East Lincoln home.”

Who were Zirkle’s favorite teachers?

“Honestly,” he said, “I could name every teacher at East and still leave some out. But a few teachers who stand out to me are Mrs. Courtney Murdock, Mr. David Sherrill, Mr. Jason Dragoon, Mrs. Sarah Dragoon, Mr. Dorus Thornburg and Mrs. Christina McClain. I’ve had every one of them pouring their knowledge into me. Their ability to multi-task their priorities of our education and overall well-being is outstanding. Along with my family, they––and all my other teachers––made me who I am today.

“When it comes to school activities,” he added, “being a leader in our Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) program has been nothing but a joy. My faith is very important to me, so being able to explore that in a school environment was amazing.”

What memories does Zirkle cherish most from his time at East Lincoln?

“For me,” he said, “the most memorable moments for the last four years are being in Mrs. Murdock’s class twice; our football boys bringing home a state championship; and the constant laughter I’ve had around the lunch table every day for the last four years.”

To his fellow grads in the class of ’23, Zirkle offered the following advice.

“I would tell them to remember the past four years fondly,” he said, “because they’ve been amazing, but to look forward to newer and greater horizons.”

Speaking of which, Zirkle spoke of his own future.

“In 10 years,” he said, “I imagine I’ll be in some form of corporate job, hopefully settling down with a wife here in the Charlotte area.

“Over the past four years,” he added, “our class has had to endure things that no other class has in their own four years of high school. Overall, the thing I’ll remember most is the way those world-changing and life-altering events changed all of us for the better. It made us stronger. It helped me and so many others find out exactly who we are.”

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