Jason and Alicia Mertens lost their youngest son after he died almost 2,000 miles from their Northern Kentucky home. Now, the couple is starting a scholarship fund in his honor. Zach Mertens, 20, was on vacation with his best friend at Oregon's Silver Falls State Park on Aug. 10 when he fell from the top of a waterfall. The Bellevue High School graduate didn’t care for flowers, his mom said, but she knows he would love that that his parents are giving another student a chance to thrive. The Zach Mertens Memorial Scholarship will help student athletes at Bellevue High School continue their education through college or trade school, Mertens’ mom said. An eligible scholarship candidate needs to exhibit the same courageous and compassionate spirit that Mertens did in his life. Read more at the link in our bio. (📸: Provided by Alicia Mertens) #nky #northernkentucky #bellevue