About Nathan: Born Feb. 6, 1991. Son of Stuart and Katherine Allen, of Hobart. Brother to Justin, Logan and Collin. Grandson of Bob and Sally Sattore and Bob and Veta Allen, all of Hobart.

Accomplishments: Nathan Allen is a senior at Hobart High School. An honor student, he is taking a senior gifted and talented class along with Advanced Placement English. Allen is president of National Honor Society, part of Team Lead leadership program and a four-year member of Genesius Players drama group, currently in rehearsals for Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" that opens Thursday.

Allen's been the master of ceremonies for the school's talent show the last three years and hopes to do it again this spring. A soccer player for 10 years and member of the high school team for four years, he's earned two varsity athletic letters. Allen was captain senior year and earned the Mental Attitude Award last year. He was on the swim team freshman year earning the Most Improved Award and was on the track team competing in hurdles and pole vault sophomore year. A self-taught professional magician, Allen works at Gelsosomo's Pizzeria in Portage. He does table magic for guests from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. He also hires out for birthday parties, weddings, family events and picnics. Allen has attended television and theater workshops in Chicago and California. He is considering attending Columbia College in Chicago.

Personal heroes: "My parents. They've sacrificed so much for me and I would like to be like them when I grow up. They're two of the people I look up to."

What I read: "I love to read. My favorite author of all time is Stephen King. I've read every one of his books."

What I do for fun: "I read and I do magic."

People might be surprised to know: "I read a lot and when I would get grounded when I was younger, my mom would ground me from books."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent