This is actually one of the most difficult blog entries for me to write. Believe it or not, in many ways I'm pretty humble. I don't often broadcast charities I'm involved with, (unless it's to promote their event) and I feel pretty awkward talking about awards I've either won or been presented.
But there's a reason I feel like I have to.
Many magicians will bill themselves as "Award-Winning Magicians" when, in fact, the phrase is a little misleading. They may have won a perfect attendance award in elementary school. So, technically they can say they are an award-winning magician, even though the award had nothing to do with magic. These are the same people who will say they've "performed at Disney World" if they did a card trick for their friends while waiting in line for a ride or they "performed with David Copperfield" if they were called on stage to assist him with a trick. Technically those statements are true, but face it...they are misleading. By the way, using those standards, I have also performed at Disney World and with David Copperfield.
So, I want to be honest with you about the awards I've gotten, so you know you're getting a genuine award-winning magician.
In January of 2011, I was awarded a Presidential Citation from the President of the Society of American Magicians, Mark Weidhaas. The citation reads, in part,
"For his extraordinary support and countless hours of service for the betterment of the Society of American Magician, enthusiastic participation and willingness to assist with any and all requests made of him as Naitonal Magic Week Chair and regional Vice President of the Society and for being a member that all would do well to emulate. He is a great source of pride to all who know him..."
In 2012, I was honored to receive the David P. Abbott Award from the Omaha Magical Society. The David P. Abbott Award is the highest award this organization gives. The criteria for this award is very strict. The person who received this award must meet the following standards
Be a member of the Society of American Magicians.
Currently be a performing magician.
Be a nationally-recognized magician.
Has exhibited strong creativity as an author, inventor or performer.
In the spring of 2012 my magic performance won first place in the MagiMasters Magic Tournament at a magic convention in Des Moines, Iowa. I was in competition with magicians throughout the Midwest and the judging was done by other magicians. In 2013, I entered the competition again and placed in the top 3.
My most recent recognition came in February of 2014 when the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce named me their Small Business of the Month. They wrote a wonderful article on me and created a very nice video, too. https://www.omahachamber.org/media-center/news.cfm?CSNF_ID=148
I think I'll stop here. I could brag about being the 8th grade spelling champion or the awards I won in Junior Achievement in High School, but I won't go there.
But I DO want you to know that I took first place in the 5th grade triple jump.
Just sayin'.