Saturday, March 29, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

LV school kids learn trick to having successful career

Magician Steve Wyrick talks to Vegas Verdes Elementary School children Friday during a career day presentation. Photo by JERRY HENKEL/REVIEW-JOURNAL

Magicians are famous for fiercely guarding their secrets, but Sahara conjurer Steve Wyrick was happy to share one Friday with a group of Vegas Verdes Elementary pupils.

The trick to a great career isn't magic, he said, it's finding and doing something you love.

"When I was growing up I wanted to be a policeman," he told a room full of rapt children gathered for a few career day tricks. "But I didn't pass the test to be a policeman. So I'm a magician. And not passing that test is probably one of the best things that ever happened to me."

Wyrick was honest with his two audiences, one of first and second graders, and a second of pupils from grades three though five: being a big-time magician takes big-time dedication.

He described his seemingly nonstop schedule of 10 shows a week 50 weeks a year. Days start a 8 a.m. and don't end until 2 a.m. the next day. Some mornings, he admitted, he wakes up tired.

But, Wyrick said, the thought of a satisfied audience chases his exhaustion and reminds him that his work is worth it.

"I love to see people smile," he said. "When I look out in the audience and I see people smiling and having a good time, it makes me feel good about what I do."

The pupils had spent three days discussing careers, hearing presentations from professionals in both the public (firefighters, police) and private sectors (doctors, veterinarians, musicians). Though years from the work force, many children already had an idea about what they hoped to do.

Ten-year-old Angelica Cruz, for example, named teacher as a possible career choice.

"I like to teach people things," she said. "I figure if I know things, why not teach them to other people."

Michael Werner, also 10, hoped to be in show business, like Wyrick. He said he wanted to be a singer, and failing that, a seat warmer to the stars.

"I could sit in famous people's seats at award shows when they go get their awards," he said. "That way, I could watch the show for free."

Andrea Castillo, 10, hoped to be a doctor; she said she liked helping people. But she said she's open to other career choices, too. Maybe, she said, she'd try magic.

"I like to learn about all kinds of things," she said.

By bending a mirror and levitating a volunteer from the audience, Wyrick got some of the delighted gasps and grins that keep him going. He said careers should bring the same smiles.

"I feel like a never work a day in my life," he said, "because I love what I do."