Knox County Foundation is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund has been created in memory of Mount Vernon High School alumnus Nate Jacklin (45), son of Mount Vernon residents Bruce and Mary Lou Jacklin and the late Terri VanSickle of Columbus, Ohio. Jacklin passed away on Nov. 15, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer. The scholarship focuses on Mount Vernon High School wrestlers who have plans to pursue higher education.

A father, husband, teacher and coach, Jacklin was loved and respected by all those whose lives he impacted. After he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1995, he went on to do a post-graduate year at Mercersburg Academy – a decision that set him down his path of academic and athletic excellence early on. Following his graduation from Mercersburg, Jacklin attended Columbia University in New York where he pursued his passions in the city that he loved—wrestling for four years in Columbia’s prestigious program and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Philosophy in 2000.

Initially working in finance, Jacklin soon realized his life’s calling was in education, and so he returned to Columbia University, this time to Teachers College, graduating in 2002, with a Master of Arts. He then went on to spend six years at North Stafford High School in Stafford, Va., kickstarting his life-long career of education and coaching. In 2008 he returned to Mercersburg Academy, as a history teacher and wrestling coach, where he stayed for many years in a community that loved and admired him for his dedication to inspiring his students and athletes to achieve excellence.

Always intellectually curious and ambitious, he knew the impact that education and athleticism had on his life and strove every day as a teacher and coach to make sure that others had the same life-changing educational opportunities that he did. During his 22-year career as a teacher and coach, Jacklin also worked at Mountain View High School (in Stafford, Va.), and most recently at Warhill High School, in Williamsburg, where he quickly made his mark on his new community as an AP Economics and AP US History teacher and co-head wrestling coach.

Jacklin met the love of his life Lindsay Beers in Fredericksburg, Va., in 2004. They have been married 16 years and have three children, Hailey (13), Ella (11) and Matthew (9). A family of athletes, their home was never without friendly competition of all kinds, with everyone pushing each other to be the best they can be, especially in swim meets and soccer games, with Jacklin often coaching his children’s teams. HIs three greatest loves in his life were his family, teaching, and coaching.

Jacklin’s family is also raising funds and awareness for lifesaving cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. After undergoing treatment at MSK, he ran the New York City Marathon as part of Fred’s Team just last year. When asked to explain why he felt compelled to take on such a challenge, he said, “I ran because I could, I ran for those who couldn’t and I finished because I started.” Jacklin lived a life of purpose and left a legacy of love. He will be remembered for his tenacity, intellect, wit, strength, bravery and his seemingly unending capacity to encourage and inspire all those who knew him.

A special event honoring Jacklin’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at The Alcove Restaurant at 116 S. main Street in Mount Vernon. All family and friends are invited. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

To learn more or to contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Jeff Scott of the Knox County Foundation at 740-392-3270.