Teens enjoy summer jobs with a difference
SPIDER-MAN, a referee and a magician have been working hard over summer before they head back to school in September.
Instead of the more conventional part-time jobs available in the island for teenagers, three young individuals have been spending their free time in some rather unique ways.
Mattieu Mayer, 17, plays the role of Spider-man at children’s parties for the Guernsey Party Princesses company.
‘I’d like to say I’m a professional Spider-man but I don’t really swing from webs so I would probably just call myself an entertainer,’ he said.
‘My job involves going to events and putting smiles on the faces of those around me.’
Mattieu had always enjoyed performing and saw this as a good way to pocket some extra cash while being able to do what he loved. ‘I work whenever there is an event which calls for Spider-man to be there.
‘It is usually weekends for children’s parties but I have gone to pre-schools during the holidays.
‘It doesn’t affect my work at Sixth Form. In the school holidays I often do other events such as the North Show and, although Spider-man wasn’t there, some princesses recently went to the big screen at Cobo.
‘We did Liberation Day as well,’ said Mattieu.
Jake Bradley, 15, referees some age 10 to 15 football games for the Guernsey Football Association.
‘I was influenced by my two cousins, who are also referees. One of them works with the Newcastle Football Academy,’ he said.
‘It encouraged me to approach the GFA via their website and see how I could get involved.’
Refereeing during the football season from September to April, Jake enjoys the excitement of the games and being a part of something a little bit different.
Another islander who uses his talents for some extra pocket money is 15-year-old Louis Kennedy, who began learning magic eight months ago.
‘One day I saw a video of Dynamo performing magic on YouTube and I just knew that I had to learn. Ever since then, I’ve been addicted,’ he said.
Louis also looks up to Canadian magician Chris Ramsay because of his charismatic performances.
Close-up magic with household objects is Louis’ speciality.
‘I have used cards, Rubik’s Cubes, pens, iPhones... whatever I can get my hands on really,’ he said.
‘My first paid gig was seven months ago at someone’s New Years Eve party,’ he explained. ‘I usually perform at two or three corporate or private events each weekend as well as my weekly performance at the restaurant Mora on a Saturday night.’
