Sylvia Jean Boecker-Jackson
Class of 1957Alumni Recognition Award, 1998
Sylvia Boecker-Jackson could best be described as a citizen of the world. After graduating from Naperville High School in 1957, Ms. Boecker-Jackson attended Wells College (NY), North Central College, the University of Mexico and graduated from the University of Denver in Latin American Studies in 1961.
Being adventurous, Ms. Boecker-Jackson joined first the U.S. Peace Corps established by President John F. Kennedy. After country training and language school, she was sent to a small Philippine village on Luzon Island. She spent two years teaching grade school in a small village.
Early in her tour with the Peace Corps, Sylvia was involved in an incident which resulted in her saving the life of a man who had been left dying in the jungle after a machete fight. Sylvia had applied first aid treatment that she learned in Peace Corps training and a life guard at Naperville Centennial Beach. After the saving the man's life, she was regarded as a hero in the village. Every five years or so, she returns to the Philippines and the village where she is still remembered and adored for being a hero. Because of her efforts, the people of the village improved their lives and got a chance for higher education.
Ms. Boecker-Jackson returned to the United States in 1964 and earned a Masters in Arts in Teaching in June of 1965. She taught school in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, in 1965-66. During the following ten years, Ms. Boecker-Jackson traveled and taught on every continent. Included in those travels were extensive trips through the Soviet Union (years before the fall of the Iron Curtain).
In 1974, at age 35, Sylvia returned to school to pursue her degree in law. She graduated from DePaul University with her law degree in 1977. By 1979, Sylvia had her own practice. Her experience abroad, as well as her fluency in many languages, directed her into the practice of International Law. Sylvia was elected President of the Chicago Lawyers' Immigration Society in the mid-1980's. She has served on a review panel to review the National Immigration Service's proposed Immigration Laws. Ms. Boecker-Jackson now practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She still works out of the Chicago court.
A very active athlete, Sylvia has participated in several half marathons. She still runs several miles every morning.
MS. BOECKER-JACKSON'S MESSAGE FOR STUDENTS: Challenge yourselves, do the impossible, take difficult classes. Don't take the easy way. Set goals for yourself you know you cannot achieve. Join the Peace Corps; see what you are made of.
