Jupiter, Fla., was founded in 1925 and has carried plenty of history with it through those 100 years. What began as land inhabited by indigenous groups became a beautiful beach town with a growing population of over 60,000.
Many of those 60,000 living in Jupiter have roots in the town, with families who have lived here for generations.
Aleksandra Cooke, a teacher at Jupiter High School, has been living in Jupiter for 21 years now. Cooke is originally from Europe and moved to Jupiter with her husband, Chad Cooke.
“I came to Jupiter in 2004 after moving to the United States from Poland. My husband, Mr Cooke, had lived in Jupiter before moving to Europe, which is why we decided to settle here,” Cooke said.
Kevin Embick, history teacher at Jupiter High, has lived in Jupiter for much of his life. While he is not initially from Jupiter, Embick has been in Jupiter since high school .
“My parents moved to Jupiter in 1996. We were originally from Fort Lauderdale, and we moved here when I was in high school,” Embick said.
Although Embick has been in Jupiter for a while, he has lived in several areas of the town, from more inland parts to places closer to the water.
“We were originally off Blue Heron, having a house built in the farms, and then we moved to Jupiter Farms. Then they moved to Tequesta, and within Tequesta, they lived in three different spots. We’ve lived in probably six or seven different places, and around Jupiter and Tequesta,” Embick said.
Joseph DePasquale, son of Debi DePasquale (teacher at JHS), was born in Jupiter and has lived in the town ever since.
“My mom and dad got a job here before I was born, and they moved here in the early 1990s,” DePasquale said. “I lived in Abacoa as a kid and moved to Jupiter Landings in high school.”
Jupiter is a town many love, such as Embick, who loves it for its strong community and positive energy.
“I love how you know the community that you live in. I live in Tequesta, and it feels like old Florida. It’s just a tight-knit community. There are a lot of parks and stuff for the kids. I love the beach, great sports programs and good schools,” Embick said.
Cooke enjoys living in Jupiter as well and speaks fondly of it, appreciating the community and the town itself for several reasons.
“Our local beaches are some of the cleanest and nicest in South Florida. I enjoy the summer vibe of a surf town that Jupiter has. I also love all the natural areas, including the beautiful parks and hiking trails. Living in the Farms, I really enjoy being on a dirt road surrounded by nature,” Cooke said.
DePasquale loves living in Jupiter for its “small town feel and how much there is to do within a small proximity.” Depasquale hopes later generations of his family will continue to live in Jupiter in the future.
As well as growing up and living with his family in Jupiter, Embick started a family in the town, with some of his children currently attending Jupiter High School. Embick hopes his children will continue to live and grow in Jupiter for generations to come.
“If they love it here like we do, we’d love for them to stay in Jupiter. There’s a lot of opportunity here, so I hope that my kids find a way to be able to live here or stay here, but if they want to go elsewhere, I get that as well,” Embick said.
Cooke is unsure where she’ll find herself later in life and is unsure where her children will end up, as well. Her children attend Jupiter High School at the moment and have lived here for many years.
“No matter where life takes me, Jupiter will always hold a special place in my heart,” Cooke said.
