"Jedi Magic" Trick Performed at American University

Barry Gordemer, aka the Sort-of-Amazing Barry performs a magic trick for
American University School of Communications students on Thursday.
Here, Gordemer is pictured with Kirsten Klohr (left), Chloe Dechellis (center),
and Rebeca Berger (right) - Photo Courtesy of Jaclyn Merica

An American University Professor used his “Jedi mind reading skills” to baffle his students on Thursday. The Sort-of-Amazing Barry performed a magic trick by dividing the class into five groups and passing out a few cards to each group. The group members then secretly choose one card and returned the cards to him. Gordemer then shuffled the cards and laid them all out on the table in five columns. He hovered his hand over each column and asked each group spokesperson which column contained their card. When the group picked, he then guessed their card. Liam DeFazio described the atmosphere as “quiet,” he said that most people were “listening respectfully.” 

Gordemer hovers his hand over the cards on the table
as groups decide which section their cards are in
Photo Courtesy of Jaclyn Merica

He guessed right for groups one, two, four, and five. He asked the third group to hold an envelope for him while he moved on to others. When he returned to group three, he asked Shavawn White, the spokesperson, to open the envelope. The Sort-of-Amazing Barry had written on a piece of paper inside the envelope the name of the card that the group had chosen. Bose Mpuchane was “amazed.” She said that “compared to other classes…this was fun.” 

After the trick, many students were trying to figure out the secret behind the trick. 

Before the class, Gordemer said it would be a "life-changing experience." In response, Matt Morissey said that “when he [Gordemer] said it would be a 'life changing experience,' this was the last thing I expected.” When asked how he performed the trick, Barry Gordemer said, “very well,”