{"id":969,"date":"2026-05-23T12:33:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T12:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scottsdalemovinghub.com\/?p=969"},"modified":"2026-05-23T12:33:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T12:33:25","slug":"son-you-did-it-florida-mother-accepts-late-sons-diploma-at-graduation-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottsdalemovinghub.com\/?p=969","title":{"rendered":"‘Son, you did it’: Florida mother accepts late son\u2019s diploma at graduation ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Six months after losing her 18-year-old son to gun violence, Natasha Jackson walked across the stage to\u00a0accept his high school diploma in his honor.<\/p>\n

Read more Magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattles Hawaii<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cI tapped into a strength that I did know that I have,\u201d his mother said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cIt was kind of emotional for her because she didn\u2019t have her twin there with her, but he was there in spirit,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cThat has been like a lifelong goal for them two. They wanted to graduate together.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Jackson said she\u2019s grateful to Duval County Public Schools and Riverside High for allowing her to walk the stage and accept Matthew\u2019s diploma, calling it \u201can honor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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She remembers her son as a peaceful person who always tried to protect others and lift people up.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cHe just had this thing with protecting people,\u201d she said. \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Soup recalled that was sold at Whole Foods in 17 states<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Now, Jackson is turning her pain into purpose through a new foundation named in Matthew\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cThe name of it is Matthew\u2019s Legacy of Life Foundation,\u201d she said. \u201cMy goal first and foremost is I want to give scholarships out to the high school seniors in Jacksonville.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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She hopes Matthew\u2019s story will help other families who are grieving the loss of a child to violence.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe’re hurting. I know I\u2019m hurting. But we can find great avenues to overcome this,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

Read more 40,000 people under evacuation orders after a chemical tank leak in Southern California<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cIt means everything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Six months after losing her 18-year-old son to gun violence, Natasha Jackson walked across the stage to\u00a0accept his high school diploma in his honor. 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