Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett

Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett blazed a trail that was uniquely his own, and he gathered a beautiful community of friends along the way.  

At Montclair High School in New Jersey, Jackson danced and cheered his way into many hearts. He served as Captain of the Cheerleading team, providing endless entertainment with his game-day antics and enthusiastic performances.  His gift for dance and choreography began early in school; he was a standout in his high school dance company, and he served as a dance and cheerleading instructor for the YMCA in Montclair, NJ where he was a beloved “Camp at the Lake” counselor. 

In 2013, Jackson moved to Atlanta, GA where he became a competitive cheerleader and Cheerleading Coach with Stingrays Gym, training the World Championship Grape Team as well as many others. He traveled the country choreographing for numerous teams while making countless friends on his journey.  As much as Jackson loved to cheer and dance, he loved the community that he built even more. His spirit lives on in the lives he touched.

Jackson’s greatest gift to the world was inspiring others to love and unapologetically celebrate their unique identity.  He co-founded the Gay/Straight Alliance (now known as the Gender and Sexuality Alliance) at Glenfield Middle School in Montclair, drawing people into a world that championed love and acceptance.  Jackson was an extraordinary human and a bright light in this world.  A Beloved Son, Brother, Relative, and Friend.