Matthew Jackson, 18, was a high school senior when he was shot and killed six months ago at his workplace in Jacksonville, Florida. His mother accepted his diploma.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Six months after losing her 18-year-old son to gun violence, Natasha Jackson walked across the stage to accept his high school diploma in his honor.
Matthew Jackson was a senior at Riverside High School in Jacksonville, Florida, when he was shot and killed on Nov. 22 at a local Burger King where he worked. Investigators say a fight broke out between one of his co-workers and another man, and Matthew tried to break it up when shots were fired.
“I tapped into a strength that I did know that I have,” his mother said.
The graduation ceremony was supposed to be a joyful moment. Matthew’s goal was to graduate alongside his twin sister, Madison, but he was physically there to march beside her.
“It was kind of emotional for her because she didn’t have her twin there with her, but he was there in spirit,” Jackson said. “That has been like a lifelong goal for them two. They wanted to graduate together.”
Jackson said she’s grateful to Duval County Public Schools and Riverside High for allowing her to walk the stage and accept Matthew’s diploma, calling it “an honor.”
She remembers her son as a peaceful person who always tried to protect others and lift people up.
“He just had this thing with protecting people,” she said. “If you were having a bad day, he would be that person to just try to crack a silly, corny joke and just put a smile on your face.”
Now, Jackson is turning her pain into purpose through a new foundation named in Matthew’s honor.
“The name of it is Matthew’s Legacy of Life Foundation,” she said. “My goal first and foremost is I want to give scholarships out to the high school seniors in Jacksonville.”
She hopes Matthew’s story will help other families who are grieving the loss of a child to violence.
“We’re hurting. I know I’m hurting. But we can find great avenues to overcome this,” she said.
His mother said Matthew had dreamed of joining the Marines and serving his country. She said support from friends, family and the community, through prayers, phone calls, hugs and messages, has helped keep her strong.
“It means everything,” she said.