Shared by Amalia Garzon

I wrote this in my journal to help process and I wasn’t sure about my sharing because I feared my writing wouldn’t do my memories as Jackson’s classmate and friend justice.

I decided to share because no matter what Jackson always gave the confidence smile to those when needed it most.

I meet Jackson as his Studio assistant for his Pre-program studio at UO. I remember the studio fondly because we had 42 students and 20 open spots for the program. This stressed the studio students out. As their studio assistant, I felt the stress from them too and as they should be. They all were working so hard and wanted to do their best.

Jackson was stressed out too, but you couldn’t always see it. He was calm and focused. I wasn’t surprised when he made it into the program. I don’t know when I stop being seen as studio assistant and became a friend to Jackson and his landscape friend group. I guess it came naturally. I remember Jackson always reaching out and checking in throughout our time in the program and beyond together.

Between the check-ins, groans about studio, presentation watching , studio visits, committee meetings; Jackson and his friends became friends to me.

Jackson was friend to all who let him be. He is kind and intelligent; thoughtful and caring. He had the ability to make anyone day brighter; which if anyone in our program knows that is pretty big feat when you’re tired and stressed.

I was a year above Jackson in the BLA program. So, often we found ourselves talking about our passions and our determination for our program and our peers. So it came at no surprise, that Jackson decided run to be my successor for Faculty liaison for the student group for the Oregon ASLA for his senior year.

I was so happy when he won and knew he would do amazing. As it goes, when the current committee ends their term ; they help pass the torch through meetings and giving the run down. So at the start of his term; he ask me to attend the first faculty meeting with him in person just in case.

I don’t think he needed me at all after being in that meeting. I learned and knew we both shared a determination to help our students and to make our program better. The job of messenger isn’t always easy sometimes especially when the news isn’t really great news. But we both shared a confidence in our ability to speak up for our peers and ourselves and find solutions and no doubt both gave our genuine input. But though we had this in common, he had something that I didn’t possess; which made I realized that he would far beyond succeed my work in the role and I was so proud to see it!

He had this ability to not let his frustration and emotions make him stumble or second guess what he was saying. He always had a way of speaking with eloquence and confidence. And of course in true Jackson fashion; he did amazing job in the faculty liaison.

Jackson always made a point to show up for his friends and peers. Not only to cheer them on, offer support, but for his love of learning.
I remember him distinctly coming to most of all my year’s final comprehensive presentations. I remember because when it was my turn to go up; I looked around nervous the room and found comfort having Jackson and my other landscape friends with me.

Though I graduated and moved up to Portland throughout Jackson’s senior year he would check in with me on how I was doing and asking about the job hunt and how my cohort was doing. Though my answers weren’t always full of great news; I think Jackson knew he could ask me because we both knew would give each other honest answers and support for each other .

I had the ability to in return watch Jackson and his friends present their projects. I was so excited for them and seeing how much work they done and how talented. I had the ability to see Jackson’s project about Kearney and his amazing design for prairie restoration and recreational use for his hometown. His ability to connect deeply to work and listen to the world,environment, and people around him is why Jackson is an amazing designer. He always was looking for ways to connect with people through landscape architecture and outside. He was always kind to the people around him.

So I want to
thank Jackson for loving the world
Thank you for your kindness
Thank you for your brightness
Thank you for your light

I will always remember your kindness and I will try my best to continue spreading light as much as possible; as you showed it to me .