Auburn teen earns Eagle Scout rank

Jacklyn "JJ" Wilson of Auburn was awarded her Eagle Scout rank at a Scouts Troop 19 ceremony Nov. 9 at the Auburn Elks Lodge. The 16-year-old Eagle received a thumbs up from dad Kris Wilson as mom Vickie Wilson and Troop 19 Scoutmaster Steven Lease watched. JJ, a Placer High School junior, is the first female scout in the 90-year history of Troop 19 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the top rank one can achieve, according to Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. Kris Wilson, who achieved a first-class rank in Boy Scouts, said his daughter set the highest goal possible when she attended her first meeting. "She learned all the ranks. Eagle was highest. She was determined from that moment on," he said. "It means a lot to me because as parents we put a lot of effort into helping her achieve her dreams and this was definitely a dream of hers." Among those in attendance at the ceremony was Col. C. Emmet Mahle (ret.).