JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On the day when a mother should have been sitting in the crowd, cheering their son on as he crossed the stage, Natasha Jackson stood in his place instead.
Matthew Jackson was 18 years old when he was shot and killed while working at a Westside Burger King restaurant after he stepped in to break up a fight in November.
On Friday, his mother walked across the stage at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena to accept his diploma from Riverside High School.
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She was greeted with a standing ovation, thunderous applause, and open arms from school staff as she accepted his diploma and graduation cap on stage.
At the end of the ceremony, Riverside Principal Chris Koek spoke about Matthew’s character, remembering him for his charisma and dance moves.
“Before we close, I want to take a moment to honor someone who should be sitting with us tonight but is celebrating from a higher place,” Koek said during the graduation ceremony. “We lost a very special student this year. Matthew brought light, laughter and energy everywhere he went. His smile was contagious, and those signature dance moves could turn around any ordinary moment into a celebration. We know Matthew is still with us here today. He’s looking down on this ceremony, cheering each and every one of you on louder than anyone. Please carry his spirit forward, let his memory be remembered to live full, love deeply, laugh often and dance like no one is watching as he would do himself.”
Jackson’s mother also started a foundation called Matthew’s Legacy of Light to continue community work and carry on her son’s legacy.