Nationally recognized hypnotist Tom DeLuca will be performing at New Trier Nov. 15 in benefit for Habitat for Humanity, the senior class service project.
DeLuca has been coming to New Trier for the last 12 years, according to Chris Pearson, Senior Boys Adviser Chair. The show consists entirely of hypnotism; DeLuca chooses 20 seniors from the audience to hypnotize during the show. Although he only chooses seniors to be hypnotized, every student is encouraged to go to the show, according to Pearson. “All of the proceeds from the show go towards Habitat for Humanity and it’s a really fun way to kick off the fundraising part of the service project,” said Pearson.
DeLuca has been practicing hypnosis since he was in college and had a professor who was a psychologist. The psychologist had a clinic and he trained DeLuca, who then developed his own show based on the experience he had interacting with patients. “When I perform hypnosis, I’m accessing the subconscious deep imagination. It’s like having a daydream; you are oblivious to what’s going on around you because your so involved in your imagination,” said DeLuca.
He explains this to the audience before asking for volunteers to be hypnotized. “Hopefully the magic happens for a good percentage of them,” said DeLuca.
New Trier graduate Donna Carnow (‘13) was chosen to be hypnotized when she was a senior. “He lined us up in a semi-circle and had us count backwards from 100 by 3’s,” said Carnow. “He told us to imagine going down a never ending escalator, and from there everything is pretty fuzzy.” Carnow adds that she really enjoyed the show and that it was an interesting experience.
All proceeds from the show go towards Habitat for Humanity. Senior presidents Riley McNulty, David Ringel, Sarah Melulis, Caroline Smith, Jack Brittingham and Anusha Gangani lead the senior class service project.
According to Melulis, Habitat for Humanity matches New Trier with a family that they have selected, and all seniors help build the family a new house. “We are really happy with the family we are working with this year. The meeting during the senior assembly was awesome and it motivates us as a class to work harder for this deserving family,” said Melulis.
This year, the goal for the entire project is to raise $100,000, and the Tom DeLuca show is essential in meeting the goal. “It brings the whole school together to see the show,” said Melulis.
DeLuca enjoys returning to New Trier because of the energy and enthusiasm of the students. “The shows always seem to go well at New Trier, and I enjoy doing it,” said DeLuca. New Trier is one of the only high schools at which DeLuca performs. He mostly performs for businesses and colleges, but he does shows at a few prep schools in Virginia as well.
Junior Sophie Conley raved about the show, saying, “The Tom DeLuca show was so amazing last year, it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss.”