When Screaming Eagles Say "Thanks"

Each academic year I guest speak on campus to psychology and health students at high schools in the Montgomery County Public School System.  In 2024/25, I visited a dozen schools to talk about hypnosis as a tool for health and wellness.  In total I presented to more than 1,000 students.

Speaking in front of high school students presents a myriad of challenges.  This is especially true when much of your content is designed to be both informative and entertaining.  I love the experience, although it is certainly humbling at times.

Last month I made a return visit to Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland.  In follow up, the teacher (Sharon Gardner) and many of her students sent me this thank you note.

It is rewarding to know that I helped Ms. Gardner make the psychology curriculum come alive and (hopefully) many of her students will continue their interest in this important area.

 

PS Seneca Valley High School's mascot is the screaming eagle.

On-Campus Hypnotic Experience Gets a Thumbs Up

For the past seven years I have donated my time to speak on campus at Montgomery County high schools to students who are enrolled in psychology or health about hypnosis.  My presentation focuses on the power of positive thinking, and its benefits on wellness, confidence, and academic and athletic performance.  I include a basic hypnotic induction for the students who are interested in experiencing hypnosis.

How is my presentation received?

Admittedly, I don’t always get a lot of real-time feedback from the students.  I believe I share a lot of entertaining anecdotes, yet the lack of response from the kids often leads me to conclude I’m not as funny as I’d like to think.

That is why I am very appreciative when a teacher who hosts me asks their students to provide me with feedback.  This isn’t an ego play for me.  Rather, it is wonderful validation that I am helping high schoolers learn and move forward with a focus on the positive.

Here are comments provided to me by psychology students at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland after my visit in October.

Thanks to Sharon Gardner, one of the school’s wonderful psychology teachers, for hosting me.

 

 

-Thank you for visiting Seneca Valley High School.  I enjoyed the show and you had me screaming internally when the volunteers flopped over.  You bring a positive vibe, and it spreads throughout the environment.

-Thank you for giving me more knowledge about hypnosis.  I love everything you taught us.  It was so meaningful for me.

-Being hypnotized was a really cool experience, so thank you for sharing that.

-What I found interesting was what you said about football players getting hypnotized to perform better and play without overthinking.

-It was nice seeing hypnosis in real life, other than on TV.  You were really good, and I am convinced that it’s all about our mind and not being controlled.

-Your presentation was amazing.  I really thought your intro and ability to create a safe and comfortable aura for your audience was great.  I was also amazed at the fact that throughout your entire presentation you performed with extreme confidence.

-It was a fun experience, and I enjoyed your jokes.  Being hypnotized was weird, but in a cool and fun way.

-Thank you for coming to our school and showing us how hypnotism actually works and talking about the stigma around it.  Your performance was very interesting to watch.

-I totally fooled my friend when I volunteered.  The jokes weren’t bad either.

Hypnotic Fundraiser for Seneca Valley HS After Prom

Please join me this Friday evening, February 8 at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland for an awesome night of comedy.  Hosted by the school's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), the money raised from tickets, concession sales and the silent auction will help fund the After Prom event which will be held in May.

For more than five years, I have donated my time to entertain at After Prom events hosted by Montgomery County high schools.  These parties provide students with a fun and safe environment to enjoy the prom experience. 

The Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation committee does a wonderful job helping schools organize and fund these events. 

Come on out this Friday for what will be a super fun evening that benefits an important cause!

Letter of Thanks for the Hypnotic Experience

I donate my time to perform my comedy hypnosis show for high schools, colleges, community groups and charitable organizations.  The organizers and audiences are so appreciative, and, equally important, it’s the right thing to do.

Called “Hypnotic Experience,” the show is fun and family friendly with a message about the importance of positive thinking.  This is typically right in step with the philosophy and culture of educational and community-based organizations.

In January, I was the headline entertainer at an event hosted the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD.  The money from ticket sales to the show and a silent auction held at the event helped fund the school’s after prom party in May.

Shelton Mooney, the school’s assistant principal, who attended the show tweeted, “Great to see so many students, families, staff out for @mrussellhausman hypnotist show.  Highly recommend!”

You can read more about the show and check out a few additional comments from attendees on my blog at this link:

 Seneca Valley Gets Hypnotized for After Prom

This past week I received the letter below in the mail.  It’s a nice thank you from the PTSA and the Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation Committee.  Plus, the personal, hand written note was a special touch.

I plan to extend my commitment and donated time to schools in Montgomery County and Fairfax County when the new school year starts in the fall.  They do a wonderful job educating and it’s a true privilege to be able to help.

Helping make the After Prom party at Seneca Valley High School a reality!

Seneca Valley Gets Hypnotized for After Prom

Educators, school administrators and parents share a common passion -- to provide kids with the academic, social and athletic opportunities that pave a path for success in life.

This is why donate my time each year to support schools in the Washington, DC region.  I see it as an investment in the future of the community where I reside with my family.  Plus, it is personally rewarding to help those who have such an important mission. 

Readers of this blog know that I speak on campus to psychology and health students.  I entertain at after prom and all night graduation parties hosted by the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).  And I perform at fundraisers that benefit schools.  

This past Friday I had the opportunity to headline an event hosted by the PTSA at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD.

It was a wonderful show, with an engaged audience and an awesome group of volunteers.  I also had the privilege of meeting the school's principal and assistant principal, both of whom attended my Hypnotic Experience show with family members.

All of the proceeds from this event will be put to use by the PTSA to help fund the school's after prom party in May.  A great night...a great school...and a great cause.

Check out the tweets below about the show.

@mrussellhausman performing at SVHS, thanks to those @SVHS2017 @SVHS18 SVHS Students & Families rocked it tonight 💚🦅💛 pic.twitter.com/53kKhMDlzd

— SVHSAfterProm (@SVHSAfterProm) January 14, 2017

Catch @mrussellhausman if you ever get a chance, donated his time to help SVHS After Prom raise $ @SenecaValleyHS https://t.co/YYkZ6lm3hG

— SVHSAfterProm (@SVHSAfterProm) January 14, 2017

Great to see so many students, families, staff out for @mrussellhausman hypnotist show! Highly recommend! @SenecaValleyHS @SVHSAfterProm

— Shelton Mooney (@shelton_mooney) January 14, 2017

@frommelissa @mrussellhausman He must have been hypnotized while in the audience 💚🦅💛 WooHoo!

— SVHSAfterProm (@SVHSAfterProm) January 14, 2017

Post Prom Fundraising for QO and Seneca Valley

Sign at Quince Orchard HS promoting my upcoming show.

It requires a Herculean effort for a school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) or Booster Club to plan, organize, promote and host a post prom or all night graduation party.  Everyone involved is a volunteer.  It is very much a labor of love. 

There is also the challenge of paying for it all – the facility, food, entertainment, clean-up and security.  The cost runs well into the thousands of dollars.

That’s why the effort of organizations like Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation (MCPPG) is so important.  MCPPG helps volunteers from member schools share best practices, plus they facilitate fundraising by applying for grants.

For five years I have donated my time to entertain at post prom and graduation events held by schools in Montgomery County and Fairfax County.  It is a whole lot of fun and, personally, very fulfilling to do my small part to help.

This year I’m raising my game through more direct support of the fundraising process.  On Saturday, November 19, I will be the headline performer at an event hosted by the Quince Orchard High School Booster Club.  Ticket sales for my Hypnotic Experience show and the accompanying silent auction will fund after school activities. 

Early in the New Year on Friday, January 13 I’ll do the same for a fundraising event hosted by Seneca Valley High School’s PTSA. 

Email me at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com if you would like more information about either of these shows.  I encourage you to come on out for a great time and to support two wonderful schools.