Jackson DeJong, son of Jared and Jessica DeJong, Merrill, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on Dec. 13, 2018.
Jackson has been involved in scouting since first grade when he joined Cub Scout Pack 599, out of St. John Lutheran Church, as a Tiger Scout. As a cub scout he participated in Akelas World, Pinewood Derby and Buckboard Skills Day. In February 2015, Jackson earned the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement in Cub Scouts and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 599.
As a Boy Scout, Jackson attended many high adventure trips, including the Grand Canyon, backpacking across Isle Royale National Park, the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, and National Order of the Arrow Conference at University of Indiana.
In July 2016, Jackson was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and confirmed his membership into the Brotherhood in 2017. Jackson completed National Youth Leadership Training in June 2017.
Jackson has served Troop 599 in the following leadership positions; Patrol Leader, Historian and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.
For Jackson’s Eagle project, he made more than 50 fleece tie blankets with other Boy Scouts in Troop 599. These blankets were donated to Trinity Church Food Pantry to hand out to those in need.
Jackson is a member of St. Francis Xavier Church. He is a freshman at Merrill High School and holds a 4.0 GPA. He participates in marching band and swim club.