Smiles and laughter filled the Westfield High School auditorium Friday afternoon as students and faculty took time to "Spread the Magic."

Sponsored by the WHS Student Council, the event brought in magician Chad Juros, a two-time cancer survivor to perform and raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Spread the Magic is the state charity for the New Jersey Association of Student Councils for the current school year. Student Councils statewide are raising funds for the group, which works to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.

While efforts continue towards supporting last year's state charity, the Family Reach, efforts which raised close to $10,000 in support of families fighting cancer, the NJASC and WHS has dived in head first the Spread the Magic group. Chris Salemme, a 2010 WHS alum, coordinated the NJSAC state charity participation last year as a board member of the state group.

Juros was introduced to magic at the age of six, by his father, Don, in the middle of his battle with leukemia.

"He wanted to take my mind off of my struggle," Juros explained. "It worked and it's the reason I'm doing what I'm doing today."

After his father's passing in 1998 from a malignant brain tumor Juros was inspired to begin Spread the Magic in loving memory of his father and to provide similar relief to those who need it most.

Juggling, card tricks and illusions were all up Juros' proverbial sleeve as students and faculty were picked at random to assist the magician in his impressive laughter-filled act. After the show, constant chatter echoed the hallways all including the question of "How did he do that?"

"The slight of hand stuff was cool and he was really funny," added freshman Craig Jarvis, who shortly after said he was excited to play with a deck of cards the next chance he had.

Westfield High School Student Council co-advisor Michelle Spreitzer said it best by explaining; "It's motivating for everyone. It may not be cancer these kids are dealing with but rather a divorce or other family issues. Looking around and seeing everyone clapping and smiling was particularly special."

The next big fundraiser at WHS for Spread the Magic will be the school's second annual dance-a-thon on Feb 11. The event will be $50 per team and involve students competing in a variety of dance competitions.