Do you believe in Magic? The students here at Columbia School District sure do! On October 29, 2012 motivational speaker/magician Brad Barton wowed the entire student body and staff with his message of dangerous illusions and finding the magic within oneself. Brad Barton shared with our students his struggles beginning as a 4-foot-9, 84 lb. high school freshman, struggling with learning disabilities, earning poor grades and having an unsupportive home life. Brad did not believe in himself, much like many of our students today. However, throughout his high school career, with the help of a coach who believed in him, he was able to find his magic, become a collegiate athlete, graduate college and become the nationally recognized speaker and author he is today. During his presentation he used magic as a metaphor for the ways students can let misdirection and mental conditioning create dangerous illusions in their lives. Brad floated a credit card in mid-air, ripped a newspaper to shreds and put it back together but his most impressive trick is showing young people that they can recognize dangerous illusions for what they are and have the power to create real magic. Brad also spent time that morning with an in-service training for the staff with a message of how to really motivate students to find the magic in themselves just as his former coach had done with him. Brad received many cheers for his magic tricks but the real magic was the inspiration that he brought to an entire student body and staff. Thank you, Brad Barton!