Let me tell you a story about a friend of mine named John Sturk. Many years ago at Michigan State, back when we both had more hair, John started really getting into magic. Like, *really* getting into it. He'd practice for hours each day and bring new tricks to lunch or dinner (or class) to show people the latest thing. Let me tell you, nothing lights up a lecture hall like a card trick that uses a fireball to show you your card! A lot of us got summer jobs -- John went up north to Mackinac City, Michigan, where he did more shows than I can count, 7 days a week, in the middle of a tourist mall for anyone who'd pay attention. Just endless hours of linking rings and cards and cups and balls... but those hours of grinding formed him -- John got good. Like, *really really* good. Good to the degree other people will pay you, good. John's an entrepreneur -- he went to Chicago to work with a magic manufacturing company (yes this is a real thing), literally being the guy who helps make magic tricks. He helped start and build up the Chicago Magic Lounge. And much more besides. As he's risen, he's reached back to pull people up with him. I've watched John mentor younger magicians, then beam with pride from an organ on the side stage as he musically accompanies them on debuts. This week, John becomes the new head of the The Society of American Magicians. It's maybe the foremost job across the American magical arts -- a position held back in the day by Harry Houdini. And now he's setting the course to welcome an inclusive new generation of magicians carrying on one of the world's oldest crafts, ensuring magic is accessible to all. John is basically a Star Spangled Dumbledore. It hasn't been easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But I'm so proud to know John, to have been there to see him start and to see him work and to see him stumble and to see him get back up again and to see him now. Sometimes it's John's name in lights, but he's really the sort of person who counts his success more by the people he builds up. The magical world is lucky to have him -- and so are we muggles in the audience.
Hear! Hear! Congratulations John! (M.I.)
It’s all true and I’m so proud of him too!
Very cool - congratulations to your friend John!
Congratulations to the John Sturk!
Very Cool!! Congrats John!!
Wow, this is incredible!! Congrats to John, go Green!