Memory Wall

Jackson and I were the only two landscape architects who went to the Galapagos in summer 2024. Our host families lived on the same block, and we walked down to school together every morning. Jackson was such a fun person to travel with. He was equally dependable and adventurous and was never worried about what the crowd was doing. After bugging him the whole trip, we finally got him to come dancing at the discoteca a couple nights before we left, and he did dance, even if he was also shaking his head at everyone’s antics the whole time.

Jackson and I went on a few other trips together with our friends or for ASLA. Sharing fries in Quito and beignets in a cafe in New Orleans and witnessing his first time trying ramen in DC are some of my favorite memories. He was always so curious and we loved to talk about all kinds of things while we explored or ate- our experiences growing up in LA, capturing memory through poetry and journaling, school, Christmas movies.

Jackson could smell BS from a mile away and was someone I trusted so much to talk about all kinds of problems with. It’s hard to imagine navigating my future landscape career without being able to talk to him. He was the friend who showed up to events I was running just cause he knew I was worried about how it would go, and the friend who would send me a text after encouraging me now matter how it went. We spent hundreds (maybe thousands?) of hours in studio slowly losing our minds together, but he always had an encouraging word, even at 3am. I miss doing karaoke in the car and hiking together, playing pickleball, and discussing earnestly all the great and stupid things about our profession. I’ll keep his kindness, curiosity, and warmth with me forever. He showed me how it’s done.

Jackson and I would always text each other “rabbit rabbit” on the first of every month. He and I both did that growing up, and when I learned that he did that too I was ecstatic. He always remembered to text me first, winning the “rabbit rabbit” race almost every month, no matter where we were or what we were doing. He had an amazing memory, always texting our friends good luck on their first days of work, or well wishes during our finals season, he was always going that extra mile to make us feel cared for.

He always managed to surprise me, whether it was knowing all the lyrics to the first song of Hamilton, or randomly listening to the Indiana jones soundtrack because I loved it so much, Jackson was always finding new ways learn more about him.

One of my favorite memories with him was during our studio finals season this year. He sat down one day and we talked about 40s bebop music because of course he randomly knew so much about it. We started saying “salt peanut” a rhythmic device from that type music that could always make us laugh. Whenever we needed a pick me up, just simply saying the words “salt peanut” in a funny voice would have us cracking up. He always had my smiling.

Since we started, this was my first month was the first month that I didn’t get a “rabbit rabbit” text, and it made me realize so much about his friendship. Jackson felt like home. He was always smiling and happy to see you, so extremely supportive of his people, and overall an amazing guy. Not receiving that text was not only difficult because I lost a friend, but because it felt like a part of home had gone with him.

I miss him very dearly, but I know his love and support is living in all of us. Rest In Peace Jackson❤️🕊️

Visit with Jackson in Oregon

Our visit in Oregon

Us wrapping up senior year of high school

We always tried our best to see each other, at least once a year. These are some pictures of when I went to Oregon Junior year and when we visited Boston sophomore year.

While we were home from college, I really wanted to go see Twister. Jackson proposed we go see it at a retro theatre and we decided to fully commit to the bit.

Jackson and I did a ton of extracurriculars together…but FBLA was where we spent the most time. We went to weekly meetings, worked the concession stands, built volunteering campaigns and eventually climbed our way to leadership. We also attended the FBLA leadership conferences in Denver and Milwaukee. My favorite memory is during 2019…Jackson and I were in Denver for the National Fall Leadership Conference. We were sitting next to our advisor at the Cheesecake Factory, and for some unknown reason, we started laughing. We laughed so hard, we started crying (I kid you not, we laughed for 20 minutes straight and I still don’t know why).

Sophomore year, Jackson took me on a trip to California. I got to see his home in Burbank, where we took it upon ourselves to cook dinner one night. Jackson went for his usual–a pasta dish with cherry tomatoes. Of course, it was delicious. I, on the other hand, attempted to bake a pavlova (it was a disaster). And after cooking, we all sat together for a wholesome meal. On the same trip, we went to Disneyland, were we got to ride the Incredi-coaster for the first time. Jackson and I also hiked up to the Hollywood sign.

My brother Rehan always looked up to Jackson. To my brother, Jackson was a soccer star and my brother wanted to be just that in high school. Naturally, whenever Jackson would come over to hang out, Rehan would want to hang out too…so Jackson and I started taking Rehan and his friends out bowling.

I remember meeting Jackson in 8th-grade algebra, the new kid from California, who I noticed had already scribbled the quadratic formula in his notebook, months before we even got to the concept. A year later, as we walked on the gravel street in front of his house, I remember how we bonded over our similar backgrounds, beliefs and ambitious goals. And following that moment, I remember Jackson and I braving the 4 turbulent years of high school together, leaning on each other when things got hard and always celebrating the small wins whenever they’d arise.

From our matching class schedules to after-school tennis practice and our weekly FBLA meetings, Jackson and I were inseparable during high school. We pushed each other in every aspect, whether academically, socially or even professionally. We’d brainstorm projects and pitch them to local organizations. We’d go to the Kearney Public Library, rent a room, and lock in when school ramped up. And we’d always go to every school dance, event, etc together.

Over the years, even when we went to opposite sides of the country for college, we continued to grow a strong friendship. Jackson had such an open mind and an even bigger heart. He loved and cared for his friends and family fiercely. And he was just always full of life, always down to do the randomest things for the thrill of it.

I’m going to miss Jackson deeply. I’m going to miss our weekly Saturday catch-up calls, our annual trips, and how, when we were together, I truly felt carefree and full of joy. There are too many memories to remember, too many stories to recount, but I’m just thankful that Jackson was such an integral part of my life.

Jackson and Max were fast friends and tight buddies in preschool and great teammates from Micro soccer days and Inter soccer team. Great memories of fun playdates and birthday parties in preschool and early elementary years. Lots of fun weekends of soccer tournaments. Max remembers Jackson as a happy friend, so kind, and always smiling. Even though different schools led them different ways, Max was always happy to see Jackson and catch up. I love the picture of Jackson smiling at Max as he gets his soccer trophy, showing how great of a friend Jackson was, happy to see his friend and teammate getting his trophy. We are holding you all close to our hearts. Thanks Jackson for being such a great first friend to Max.

His birthday celebration sophomore year

I met Jackson in August 2011, as he was in my second grade class at Park Elementary in Kearney. There were 25 wonderful children in this class. Jackson quickly made friends and it was fun for me to watch these children bond in the classroom and at recess. Playing football and soccer were the games of choice at recess. The boys especially enjoyed chatting about how the Huskers played over the weekend, when we returned to school each Monday morning. Jackson was a positive role model for others and someone I could count on each day. He was especially excited when his father came to share his career as a writer with my students. Jon told the students about his interest in writing and movie making at a young age. As a teacher of young children, I wanted my students to know as beginning writers, they too could “dream big” and become writers when they grew up. Jackson’s mother was a gracious parent volunteer each week. Kathy would stop by one morning a week, to help the second graders, while I was teaching reading. Jackson loved having his mother there to hang out with his friends! As second grade was coming to a close, our last big project was reading the book “Flat Stanley.” Each student selected a special family member or friend to send their “Flat Parker” to, outside of Kearney. Jackson was excited, as he was sent his “Flat Parker” to to visit his uncle in St. Louis. The highlight of the trip was a visit to Busch Stadium to learn about the Cardinals. Jackson was proud of the pictures and story his uncle sent back to school. Jackson was always kind to others, very polite, and had a love for learning. I knew he was destined for great things! Jackson will always have a special place in my heart!

Anyone who had the privilege of meeting and spending even the smallest amount of time with JB was incredibly lucky. JB truly was the most positive guy I’ve ever met. While I only knew Jackson for about 2 years at Oregon, those 2 years were certainly the best 2 years at school. We shared countless memories from him out hustling me and everyone else on the basketball court, to crushing me on the golf course (guy was a borderline pro), to going out to eat at various restaurants, going to Duck football or hockey games, but my single favorite memories were our times at BJs. Essentially every Tuesday we would all go for pizookies and those moments of authentic and genuine conversations and laughs are unforgettable. Whether it was talking about upcoming events, or what happened over the last few days, catching up was truly the highlight of the week and made Tuesday (the worst day of the week) a day to look forward to.

One thing that may get lost is JB’s care and interest in others lives. He was always the first one to als me for updates on my job search, how my test was, how the apartment search was going , etc. always with a positive attitude and genuine intent behind it.

It was always a put others first mindset. One time it was 11 at night on a school night and I had to go to grocery store for a semi emergency and i called him and with no hesitation or questions asked he said hed take me. Thats the kind of person JB was.

I remember in one of our final times together on campus, we went for a walk with the cornboys and we ended up sneaking into a locked gym to play table tennis and those were the type of moments that make the stress of sneaking in so worth it in reflection.

Whenever I was around JB, it was always INSANE VIBES and I’m so grateful to have met Jackson and created so many quality memories over our time at Oregon

Me and JB on a scramble drill getting the final stop in out most electric IM basketball victory we had (JB number 31)