Selena

She was a performer, designer and a music pioneer. She was the first Mexican American singer who was traditional yet modern. She brought together both worlds and helped bring Tejano music into mainstream culture. It was an emerging star who's tragic death threw it into turmoil. And as is common for a gifted, charming young performer is lost too quickly, many mourned the potential that she had yet to attain. Over the years, people were encouraged to push themselves harder to make sure that Selena's successes would not fade away. The tragic death of Selena by a gunman triggered an outpouring of emotion in Latino communities similar with the reaction to Elvis Presley's death and John Lennon's. Selena was a hugely well-known singer for Latinos across North America. But her music touched both the young as well as the elderly. Selena was a sexy and flamboyant stage performer that was frequently known as the Latina Madonna. Off-stage Selena was an outstanding role model, as she actively participated in antidrug and AIDS campaigning.