Hundreds gather to remember Winter Springs High School student Kennedy Jackson

The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Oviedo was a sea of blue Tuesday as hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of Kennedy Jackson, a Winter Springs High School softball player who was one of three recent teenage suicide victims in Seminole County. 

Jackson was remembered as an athlete who excelled in not just softball, but soccer, ballet, dance and tennis. She is one of six siblings. 

“She was a very special young lady,” said Rodney Jackson, Kennedy’s father. “Not for just being my child, but a child of God. She was God’s child first. He gave her to me, and lent her to me for the time she was supposed to be on Earth, that she was supposed to be here.”

Rodney said he’s heard from people he hadn’t heard from in 30 years in the last few weeks, and has been touched by the love and support from the community. He said everyone has been asking why it’s happening – but it’s not his place to know why. 

God’s plan, Rodney said, supersedes whatever plans you have.

“It’s not over,” Rodney said. “Because you know what? As a father, I still have kids to raise. I can’t let go. I can’t let go of my faith, no matter how bad I feel.” 

Rodney said he’ll see his daughter again in heaven. He spoke with a clear voice, moving from the lectern like a practiced minister. 

“I know that my daughter is in heaven. I know she is,” Rodney said. “That’s why the tears that we cry – be tears of joy. Be tears of joy. You know why? Because I’m gonna see her again one day, I know it.”

The room erupted in cheers as Rodney said he would see his daughter again. 

Pastor Charles Jones delivered the eulogy. He said the turnout Tuesday was a reflection of the impact Kennedy had on the community. He addressed his eulogy directly to young people in the room. 

“Your life matters,” Jones said. “I want you to know young man, I want you to know young woman, that your life matters.”

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or be in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Jones said you need to be careful of who you let “speak in your life.” He pointed toward social media’s influence. 

“When you expose yourself, amen, to certain media platforms, you open yourself up and allow anybody to speak into your life,” Jones said. “People you don’t even know get to speak into your life.”

Jones spoke from the pulpit of Antioch as Kennedy Jackson’s casket, adorned with white flowers, sat bathed in light before the congregation of mourners. 

Kennedy Jackson died on Oct. 15. Winter Springs High School, Lyman High School and Hagerty High School all had students die by suicide within a week of each other this month. 

“Over the past three days, our Seminole County community has suffered the heartbreaking loss of three young lives,” Winter Springs Police Chief Matt Tracht wrote in an email to city commissioners after the Winter Springs suicide occurred. “Students from Hagerty High School, Lyman High School, and now Winter Springs High School have all been impacted by this. These tragedies have deeply affected the families and left a profound mark on our schools, neighborhoods, and the City of Winter Springs.”

Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Serita Beamon and several board members attended Tuesday’s service. Before the service, SCPS Board Chair Kristine Kraus said there will be an event at Hagerty High School on Nov. 11 to try to connect students and families to mental health services.

“It’s horrific. I don’t know of any district that’s experienced this,” Kraus said. “We’re trying to support our families and students with resources for mental health care, connecting the dots to where help is available.”

Kennedy not only played for Winter Springs High School, but on the Florida Storm softball team year-round. Members of that team spoke at the service as well, remembering her as more than a teammate whose legacy would live on. Team members said they were a family. 

Kennedy also helped lead the Winter Springs High School team to a state championship earlier this year. Softball Coach Farah Gordon said Kennedy made varsity as a freshman. 

Gorden said Kennedy was the “epitome” of the student athlete. 

“When I think of Kennedy, the biggest thing I see when I think of her is that joyful, contagious smile,” Gordon said through tears. “She did that a lot at softball. And I loved to get to see it. That’s how I picture her. Every time I think of her, I see that smile.”

Abe Aboraya is a Report for America corps member