Jackson Merrill Surprises Severna Park Elementary Students

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“Is that HIM?!”

A brief hush fell over a classroom full of third-graders at Severna Park Elementary School on December 19 after teacher Jennie Merrill announced a special guest would be joining them to discuss the importance of setting goals.

As he walked through the classroom to take his seat in front, it took the students a moment to realize that the special guest was Major League Baseball standout, and Jennie Merrill’s youngest son, Jackson Merrill.

Who better to offer a clinic on goal setting? As Jennie explained, when Jackson was a student at Severna Park Elementary School, he said in a school project that he wanted to be a Major League Baseball player one day.

By age 21, he had done just that. Jackson earned a spot on the San Diego Padres roster following an impressive spring training. He finished the year with 25 home runs, a Silver Slugger Award and had key hits in the Padres’ playoff run.

He achieved his goal of making it to the big leagues, but as he explained to the kids, ending the season without a World Series ring is similar to earning an A on one assignment, but settling for a B in the class.

“To win a World Series means more than anything to me, and that’s where my main focus is at right now,” Jackson said.

His experience with the national media during the season prepared him for the barrage of questions lobbed by the enthralled students. While he was thrown a few softballs, such as his favorite animal (he’s a “dog guy,”) other students didn’t shy away from the tough questions.

Reese Laddbush dove right in on behalf of the local fan base and asked if he’d rather be on the Baltimore Orioles or stay with his current team.

“I like where I’m at,” Jackson answered.

Others asked whether playing baseball was hard, and if he ever gets frustrated.

“It’s not hard to be a baseball player; it’s hard to continue to play baseball, though, because there are times when you want to quit,” Jackson explained, adding that it’s important to push through adversity and continue to improve.

Jackson shared that his favorite game of the 2024 season was one against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres’ rival. The Dodgers had taken an early lead, scoring five early runs. But the Padres chipped away at that lead, ultimately winning by one run in extra innings.

One student followed up by asking if he was nervous when playing against the Dodgers.

“If you get scared of them, they’re gonna crush us,” Jackson said, adding later that the Dodgers are the team he most wants to beat next season.

Following the extensive question and answer session, Jackson posed for a photo with the class, and then autographed baseball cards for each student.

“Oh my gosh, this is so cool,” one recipient was overheard saying as she returned to her seat.

For his attentive young audience, Jackson issued the following lifelong guidance: “Focus and listen. Be open and listen to advice from others because the more knowledge you have, that’s everything.”

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