Three years ago, Mark Boerckel’s older brother sat him down and gave him a gentle chiding.
“He told me I was a lazy bum and said I didn’t try as hard as I should,” said Boerckel, 18. “He told me I had a lot of talent but was just coasting along.”
Boerckel looked up to Joel and took his rebuke to heart.
“I realized there are two ways to be: You can either strive to reach the standard or you can do your best and rise above the standard,” Boerckel said. “I realized there wasn’t anything in my life I was doing my best in and I decided to change that. I think I am a better person now.”
Surprising words from someone who has been a straight-A student since 1st grade.
Boerckel, of United Township High School in East Moline, is a National Merit Finalist. He is the captain of his swim team and holds the record in the Quad Cities area for the 200-meter free style. Boerckel is enrolled in every Advanced Placement course available at his school. He scored a 35 out of 36 on the ACT exam.
He plans to attend Clemson University on a full scholarship, where he hopes to major in business or economics.
Boerckel is a youth leader in his church and is a member of the Illinois Federation of Teenage Republicans.
But Boerckel’s greatest love is magic.
Last year, he launched a business as a professional magician and has performed dozen of shows across East Moline.
“I love watching other people have fun and helping them have fun,” Boerckel said.
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