Hypnotist Entrances Chadron

Yesterday, professional hypnotist Valerie Reeves mesmerized students in the Sandhills room of the student center.

Students modeled imaginary outfits, played gnome, and peeped at their audience through “naked shades,” all to their peers’ amusement. Reeves, a Chadron native, started practicing hypnotism at the San Diego Health Alliance. She worked as a nurse for heroine and methadone addicts, and when her supervising doctor introduced therapeutic hypnotism, Reeves trained in the practice. Reeves’ daughter encouraged her to take her talents on stage, so Reeves teamed up with Gary Bensen, who taught business at Chadron at the time.

After preforming at Chadron’s Comedy Box (a by-gone downtown installment), Reeves contacted Laurie Sinn about preforming at the college. Faithful to her roots, Reeves returns annually from Silicon Valley to entertain the student body. Of her profession, Reeves said her volunteers are made very susceptible to suggestion.

“It demonstrates the power of words,” Reeves said, before her show. “I have to be so careful what I say.”