LAWTON Okla_ A Lawton child used his gift
of musical talent to make his dreams come true, by entering and winning a
contest to see the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team play on their home
court.
Eight-year-old Jaden Pierce won a "Black History Month Heroes" contest at
his elementary school back in February. Jaden wrote a piece about a famous
organist that inspired him and submitted footage of himself playing the organ. Jaden
and his parents say the experience is something they will never forget.
Jaden is extremely
gifted. After hearing him play, 7News Reporter Nicole Osei said it was obvious
why he chose Moses Tyson, Jr., a nationally-known organist, as his hero.
Young Jaden was
destined to play the organ. His mother, Angela Pierce, said he once told her he
felt he was destined to see the Oklahoma City Thunder play, too.
"We were
watching the Thunder on the TV," Angela said. "He said, ‘Momma, I want to go to
the game, but I don't want to sit up there. I want to be on the floor.' I said,
‘Jaden, we can't afford those tickets.' He said, ‘I want to be on the floor.'"
So when he
entered the contest and won tickets to the game, Jaden reacted like any excited
eight-year-old.
"I feel so
happy, and I passed out," Jaden said. "I said, ‘Thank you, Lord' at my
grandma's house."
He said his
favorite part of the trip was his moment in the spotlight and meeting one of
the players, Hasheem Thabeet.
"To be on
the court, and I get recognized," Jaden said. "I get to be on the court, I get
to see Thabeet, and he said, ‘Hi.'"
"When I
saw his eyes light up when he won, especially when he got there on the court
and he saw Thabeet and Ibaka and all his favorite players, seeing the glow in
his eyes really made me happy," Angela said.
Jaden, who
seems unfazed by all of the attention, said he's happy his music made his
dreams come true. Another fact you should know about Jaden: he plays the organ
by ear. He said he plans on entering the contest again next year.
The Pierce
family attends the Union Baptist Church
in Lawton. Dr.
Charles Whitlow, the church's pastor, said he was extremely proud to learn that
Jaden won the contest.
"It's a
great feeling to know that here at the church, we are producing those kinds of
young people," Whitlow said. "That is the thing that we feel that the church
is all about: to help our young people and develop those talents that god has
given them."
