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Magician Uses Tricks To Teach
By Candice Reed
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Magician Michael E. Johnson can pull a rabbit out of a hat and saw a person in half, but he would rather shape a youngster's life.
Johnson, 43, created Life Skills Magic Camp, an enrichment program where he uses magic to teach children to resist drugs, alcohol, gangs and other negative influences.
"My program is a combination of magic and motivation," said Johnson, of San Marcos. "I demonstrated to the children not to believe in illusions of wealth, that the hand is quicker than the eye."
Johnson, who grew up in San Marcos, began performing magic when he was a child, teaching himself from the books he checked out at the library. "If you look up 793.8 in the Dewey Decimal System, that's the number for magic," he said. "I always tell kids that they can teach themselves by reading a book."
Johnson currently takes his act on the road to Del Dios Middle School, Poway Middle School and the Valley Center club and its 10-week after-school program. This is the third year in a row that Johnson has performed his tricks of the trade at the club.
"I was in the program last year and now this year," said Jeff Davis, 13, of Valley Center. "He teaches us card tricks but the message is not to do drugs and stuff. I think kids really like it."
On Thursday, Johnson used cards to demonstrate that gambling most often leads to losing and that the "house" nearly always wins. "By manipulating statistics, the various gambling houses in the area appeal to people, including kids," Johnson said. "I show them tricks that make them realize that they can't win."
Johnson also has tackled smoking, violence, suicide, and depression. In a show about trust he uses a real $1,000 bill. "I let the kids touch it and I pass it around," he said. "I want to show them that I trust them with something so valuable."
As part of the 10-week course, students graduate with a diploma and a bag of tricks. "I loved to do magic as a kid and maybe my classes will give someone the confidence they need," Johnson said.
"It's all about building self-esteem and if they learn to do magic tricks, then it's great for their confidence," Johnson added. (February 22, 2002 edition) |
© 2008 Michael E. Johnson
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