Jonathan McGee, 21, will receive his Eagle Scout rank on Sunday during a 2 p.m. ceremony at the First United Methodist Church in Maryville. He will join an elite few that only 2 percent of Boy Scouts ever reach.

What makes the William Blount High School student even more special are the challenges he overcame to achieve that honor.

Jonathan has Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes delayed mental and social development. His mother, Kathy McGee, is understandably proud of his accomplishment.

Jonathan's Eagle Scout project was to reorganize and disburse medical equipment for the Shriners at their Alcoa facility. Under the supervision of Bob Landers of the Blount County Shrine Club, McGee led a group of Boy Scouts who moved out old or broken medical equipment. The equipment was hauled away and sold for scrap metal. Kathy McGee said her son wanted to give back to the Shriners after having three major hip surgeries at the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He had to learn how to walk three times in addition to several hours of physical thereapy.

Jonathan is an altar server at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Seymour. He participates in the Area 15 Special Olympics and competes in track and field, basketball and bowling. He is graduating from William Blount High School in 2010.