He was at work when a co-worker told him that his musical idol, Michael Jackson had died.
"I didn't believe it at first," the 26-year-old graphic design intern said. "Then, I borrowed my co-worker's cell phone to browse the Internet and read the horrible news--and I was in a daze."
Horn immediately headed home and broke down into tears.
At 6-foot-3, the Park Forest, Illinois resident is expected by some to be more of a Michael Jordan fan than the King of Pop. But Michael Jackson's music had a greater impact on his life than any NBA championship.
As a student at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, Horn channeled the creative spirit of Jackson as a member of the marching band. And in class, he faced some backlash from classmates for expressing love of his favorite pop star. "Yes, I did get teased a whole lot because of my love for the Jackson Family--but also for defending Michael when he was arrested in 2003 for child molestation charges," he recalls.
While in high school, Horn had academic challenges to overcome. He was a special education student with learning differences. For him, Michael Jackson's music was a motivating force in staying on the path to graduation in 2003. Five years later, he received a degree from International Academy of Design and Technology.
"He put a spark in me that I can not let labels or the condition I was living in hold me back from accomplishing the bigger things I want in life," Horn explained.
Being the youthful music aficionado that he is, Horn still listens to Michael Jackson's songs on a daily basis and dedicates most of his Facebook and Twitter posts to the pop legend. He says that Grammy-award winning artist made a long-lasting impact in the entertainment industry and must never be forgotten.
"I ask every fan to honor the legacy of Michael Joseph Jackson not only on his birth and death anniversaries but everyday."
With this music fan leading the way, the King of Pop will never be dethroned.
~ Zack A. Isaacs
0 Comments