THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606250126
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CARROLLTON LENGTH: 73 lines
Inspired by a magician he saw during a vacation in Wisconsin three years ago, Hank Leber came home and taught himself magic tricks from a book.
During a recent visit to the Smithfield Public Library's Summer Reading Program, the 15-year-old trickster wowed his young audience with disappearing coin and card feats.
``I do more of the sleight-of-hand tricks instead of those big, flashy tricks,'' Leber said. ``These are more challenging . . . because you have to depend on your skills and have a thorough knowledge of exactly what you are doing.''
The teenager also juggles and rides a unicycle, although he has not mastered doing both at the same time.
Leber, a junior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, is the son of Jan and Robert Leber of Carisbrook.
Birthdate: Oct.2, 1980.
Nickname: Hank.
Worst habit: Procrastination.
Hobbies: Snowboarding and other sports.
Pets: A rabbit, a ferret, fish, dogs, cats and a bird.
Pet peeve: I really hate it when people are mean and also when people don't return favors when payback is needed.
Favorite night out on the town: Going to the mall, then to a concert at Hampton Coliseum or the Boathouse.
Favorite food and drink: I like rice, which most people think is weird because it isn't a main course. I also like milk.
Favorite restaurant: I love the Nara of Japan because they cook the food right in front of you.
Favorite music group: I love Nirvana. Most of their songs are really good. Some are a little crazy, but I just don't listen to those.
Ideal date: I'd take the girl out to dinner and, if she likes, a concert or a movie.
Do you have an idol? Not really. I don't try to be like anyone else.
What characteristics attract you to a person? She has to be happy and outgoing. It doesn't matter what she looks like as long as she is fun to be around.
Most cherished possession: I honestly don't have one. I love all my stuff.
What's the best gift anyone ever gave you? My cousin gave me a stuffed puppy for my fifth birthday. I loved that puppy, and he never left my side for five years.
What is one thing your parents don't understand about you, but you wish they did? My parents don't understand that I really do care about making good grades. When they get angry at me for getting a bad grade, I tell them that I am already mad at myself and that I know I can do better.
What's the best advice your parents ever gave you? ``Don't put things off to the last minute.''
What is an issue that concerns you and why? I hate all this talk about kids watching too much violence on television. I can tell you that, after watching a violent movie, I have never had the urge to kill or beat up another person.
What type of things do kids worry about today? About being cool, clean and socially acceptable. That's about it.
How do you battle peer pressure? If there is something I feel I should do, I do it. If there's something I feel I shouldn't do, I don't do it. I just trust my morals.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? I'd like to be better looking and more muscular. I'm pretty happy with my personality.
Few people know. . . That I am one of the best friends they will ever have. I value my friends more than anything.
What's the best thing about yourself? I try to be nice to everybody, no matter how bad or annoying they may be.
What would you like your first real job to be? I really don't care, as long as it is fun and worthwhile.
What are your goals in life? My main goal in life is to be happy doing whatever I'm doing. Being rich would be nice, but that is secondary. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Hank Leber by CNB