Now you see it....
Features
Sophomore Israel Mendez has one of the most uncommon hobbies of anyone at the University. He’s an illusionist.
Mendez began learning simple illusions, or "magic tricks," from his friend and fellow classmate, Allen McGowan, and now has moved past his master’s training to what he likes to call "the seventh level."
Mendez said, "[McGowan] would be the one that plowed the path for anyone that performs magic at the University."
Together, McGowan and Mendez started the Guild of University Illusionists, the GUI. This organization is a loose alliance of illusionists that share not only the passion for the illusions, but they each know the secrets to their magic. Other illusionists are Juniors Jair Alcon and Edwin Rodriguez.
Mendez is now known by his stage name, Mentor. Although he is most famous for always carrying a deck of Bicycle® playing cards, his sleight-of-hand illusions are what bring in the crowds.
Along with his sleight-of-hand illusions, Mendez performs extreme card manipulation illusions. In these illusions, he shows the audience a card, shuffles it back into the deck, and then uses rapid card movements to reveal the hidden card.
"Based on his growth, whether exponential or square-rooted," Mendez has considered performing for the annual talent show at the end of this semester. This would be his last performance of the year.
Mendez said, "I learned and developed everything I know in about a month; I can’t even imagine what will happen in the future."