It’s been just a month and a half since the end of Dance Marathon 2005, but in a cluttered office on the third floor of Norris University Center, preparations for DM 2006 are already underway.
For Ben Woo and Cecilia Byrne, incoming executive co-chairpersons, the work began the minute they were selected April 13. On Tuesday Byrne was engrossed in a phone call, and Woo was glued to his laptop.
As soon as Byrne hung up, they began discussing the “millions” of e-mails passed between them in the last 24 hours.
“We’ve already put in 20 hours in the past five days,” said Woo, a Weinberg junior who also serves as The Daily’s advertising manager. “I’ve never been so excited for anything in my life.”
Although Woo and Byrne have both been involved with DM since their freshman year, they come to the position with different areas of expertise.
Woo’s first DM experience was as a dancer for Willard Residential College. As a sophomore, he was the philanthropy chairman and a dancer for his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. Last year, he served as the merchandise co-chairman.
“It’s been fabulous,” Woo said. “It is, by far, one of the most worthwhile things you can do on campus.”
Byrne, a Weinberg junior, did not dance for the event her first year on campus. Instead, she said she supported her friends by working behind the scenes as a member of the project planning committee.
“I come to the executive position from a committee angle,” Byrne said. “I had an active part in planning events and making people excited, interested and aware.”
Melissa Borschnack and Elaine Kanak, the outgoing executive co-chairwomen, said DM 2005 was the best event so far. They are looking forward to another successful year under the direction of Woo and Byrne. This year’s DM raised $619,346.
“We are so excited for the coming year,” said Borschnack, an Education senior. “DM is like our baby, and we’re passing it on with the utmost confidence.”
Students with extensive prior involvement in DM are invited by the standing co-chairpersons to fill out an application and participate in a 45-minute interview.
While the number of applicants each year is not released, Borschnack said most of the invited students completed applications.
Kanak, a Weinberg senior, said Woo and Byrne accepted a time commitment of an estimated 1,000 hours when they took over the position.
“We do everything from talk to President Bienen to replace ink cartridges in this office,” Kanak said. “We consider ourselves part of every committee.”
In addition to taking a lighter course load, especially during Winter Quarter, the new leaders must virtually move into the DM office.
“I came here every day, for anywhere from half an hour to 10 hours,” Borschnack said. “I mean, you do your school work, but you’ll be here instead of at the gym or something.”
Woo said he’s completely up to the challenge and outlined some of his goals for the coming year.
“We really want to continue the growth that DM has had recently,” Woo said. “We’re also looking to affect more of campus and reach those people who haven’t previously been involved, and to spread the word further into Evanston and Chicago.”
Byrne said she is proud to follow in the footsteps of Kanak and Borschnack.
“I’m just thrilled about it,” Byrne said. “We’re coming in with a great foundation and a great legacy.”
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