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 November 22 at a local Burger King where he worked. According to investigators, a fight broke out between one of his co-workers and another man. Matthew stepped in to break it up, and that’s when shots were fired.

“I tapped into a strength I didn’t know I had,” his mother said.

The graduation ceremony was meant to be a joyful milestone. Matthew had planned to graduate alongside his twin sister, Madison. Although he was not physically there to march beside her, his presence was deeply felt.

“It was emotional for her because she didn’t have her twin there with her, but he was there in spirit,” Jackson said. “Graduating together had been a lifelong goal for both of them.”

Jackson expressed deep gratitude to Duval County Public Schools and Riverside High School for allowing her to walk the stage and accept Matthew’s diploma, describing it as “an honor.”

She remembers her son as a peaceful young man 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 the one to crack a silly, corny joke and put a smile on your face.”

Now, Jackson is channeling her pain into purpose by establishing a foundation in Matthew’s honor.

“The name of it is Matthew’s Legacy of Life Foundation,” she said. “My primary goal is to award scholarships to high school seniors in Jacksonville.”

She hopes Matthew’s story will help other families grieving the loss of a child to violence.

“We’re hurting. I know I’m hurting. But we can find meaningful ways to overcome this,” she said.

Matthew had dreamed of joining the Marines and serving his country. His mother said the overwhelming support from friends, family, and the community — through prayers, phone calls, hugs, and messages — has helped keep her strong.

“It means everything,” she said.