Liberty High School Believes in Magic

Once a week, chemistry teacher Gary Fuhrman, 64, holds “Magic Friday,” preparing special lessons for his students.

But his lessons aren't from a book. Fuhrman uses a fun twist on the scientific method using his lifetime hobby of magic.

This weekly lesson has turned into something much bigger. At the request of his students, Fuhrman has started the school’s first Magic and Illusions Club this fall.

More than 125 students have jumped at the opportunity to learn magic, making it the second largest club at the school behind Liberty’s award winning drama club.

“I can’t think back to the time as a kid that I didn’t have some interest in magic,” said Fuhrman. “As a young kid if I knew of a magic show that was going to be within a 200 mile radius I would beg my dad to see it.”

Using his passion for magic, Fuhrman is hoping to help students in the new club to do more than just make cards disappear.

“The real purpose is to develop their self-confidence and presence in front of an audience,” said Fuhrman. This club is trying to have them mature. We also want to help them get out into the community by performing for local organizations and giving back to the area.”

The club also has advancement opportunities with requirements to stay involved as a member.

“You must within the first three months of joining qualify by demonstrating three beginning magic tricks in front of me and the executive board without us knowing how it’s done,” said Fuhrman.

“Once they do those they become an apprentice magician. If they want to advance to be a master magician they have to perform five intermediate magic tricks, and then if they’re really turned on by it they can reach the highest level by performing seven advanced tricks.”

The students involved are not only excited to hone their magic tricks but also be able to give back to the community using their new skills.

“I was interested in the club because I heard you could go around the community and perform with some of the other students and Mr. Fuhrman and that sounded really fun,” said 10th grader Jeremy Mayo at the Liberty Magic and Illusions Club meeting Friday.

“I’ve been doing magic for two years now,” Kyle Hawkins, the magic club president and an 11th grader at Liberty. “I’ve done magic at Fairhaven Retirement Community a couple times and it has always been a hobby for me.”

“I think it’s pretty cool that there’s a magic club here. I wanted to join it because all my other friends are and I thought it would be pretty awesome because I’d be able to trick my sister and see her freak out,” said 10th grader Katelyn Moreland.

 “I joined the magic club because, Mr. Fuhrman, he’s probably the coolest teacher here at Liberty,” said 10th grader Nick Bishop. “Ever since a young age I’ve been into magic. I felt like this club would be a great opportunity to actually get into magic with other people who are passionate about it.”

The club will be attending their first event during the Liberty High School homecoming parade October 14 at 5 p.m. where members will be walking the route performing street magic.

“I’m very excited, we’re going to be dressing up and pulling out all the stops,” said Fuhrman. “I’m going to be dressing up as Professor Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series with a full beard and robe and all.”

Fuhrman said overall the support for the newest club has been tremendous.

“Our principal Thomas Clowes and the teachers at Liberty have been so supportive and really have made this a reality. They’re even asking for t-shirts once our student design contest is through!”

Any community groups or organizations interested in having the Liberty Magic and Illusion Club perform at their event can contact advisor Gary Fuhrman at grfuhrm@carrollk12.org.