Going through the motions of a daily routine and passing the same faces, it is easy for life to get uneventful. However, senior Nicholas Leung has found a way to add a splash of excitement to each and every day, brightening the smiles of those around him by sharing his love for magic.

“About 10 years ago, I got really into magic,” Leung said. “I saw someone do the basic bridge and waterfall shuffle and I really wanted to learn how to do that. But back then, being seven years old, my hands were way too small to do much with a deck of cards. So instead, I got this really small Scooby Doo deck and just started learning how to shuffle. From there on, my parents saw it and they bought me books and a magic set. I just built off from there.”

Leung’s curiosity for the methods behind the tricks and illusions soon led him to a passion he is able to show to people.

“The magic I do is more close up,” Leung said. “It’s street magic. I do things with cards and stuff that’s meant for a more personal setting. I usually just go around school and perform for whoever wants to see it.”

The versatility of the magic he performs keeps Leung always learning and practicing, despite the setting he is in.

“Things like dancing, band and orchestra are all great things but when you’re sitting in a doctor’s office, you can’t exactly bust out your violin and start practicing,” Leung said. “You can learn so many new things and there are so many places you can go with it.”

With all the preparation that goes into each and every trick, the outcome of performing it in front of an audience is what drives Leung to learn more.

“This is going to sound cliche, but my favorite part about performing are people’s reactions,” Leung said. “Seeing how something you have worked on for months and how it pays off with a performance, is pretty amazing to watch.”

His unwavering interest and eagerness to learn reveals Leung’s driven personality.

“He doesn’t back down from a challenge and he just keeps going,” senior Jordan Lee said. “He always works at it no matter what anyone says. I really admire that about him.”

Leung’s adoration for the concept of magic itself does not go unnoticed by others.

“When others look at his magic, they are charmed by his expertise at sleight of hand, or his ability to always find their card,” senior Zoie Fan said. “However, when I watch him do his magic, it’s not his tricks that capture me. It’s the beautiful grin on his face and the bright twinkle of confidence in his eyes. In that moment, his passion for magic isn’t just for his audience to enjoy. It’s for him to love too.”

However, this hobby does more than just keep Leung occupied, it has allowed him a gateway to put himself out there and create relationships with his peers.

“I used to be a very shy kid,” Leung said. “It is much easier to approach someone and say ‘want to see a magic trick’ than to do it normally. A lot of the friends I have now I initially introduced myself with magic.”

Although magic may have helped Leung introduce himself to others, his compassionate personality is what truly leaves an impression on those he meets.

“He is the absolute sweetest guy you will ever meet, always putting others above himself and always trying to help out,” Fan said. “Nicholas has always tried to be there for me through thick and thin, and even if he doesn’t know it, his influence on my life has been profound.”

Like a lifelong friend, magic is something Leung holds very near and dear to his heart.

“Magic is something I’m going to have for the rest of my life,” Leung said.“I’ve had it around for 10 years. It’s not going anywhere now.”

Whether it be his selfless personality, or spreading a little glimmer of something extraordinary in the air, Leung’s influence on the people around him is far from over.

“He will always provide help to those who need it, and by doing so, he’s going to make the world a better place,” Fan said. “Whether it be wowing the world with his magic or simply lending a hand to anyone who asks, Nicholas is going to change the world, one person at a time.”