The past members/alumni are numbered and ranked in order of greatness here.
2007-2008 Officers
Captain
Alison Mora
Communications Director
Chris Arasin
Operations Manager
Sharon Her
Public Relations
Saras Windecker
Financial Manager
Kim Gallant
Webmaster
Derek Dahmer
2008-2009 Swingers
Super Vets
Alison Mora: Alison burst onto Penn's swing troupe with an enthusiasm and passion for dance that can only be described as sweeettt. She's bringing her original downtown sculpted style back on campus, so watch out for this spicy fireball both on and off the stage, or straight up hanging with the rest of the crew. (by Derek)
Derek Dahmer: Derek is too cool for school. (Hooked on Phonics)
Laura Birnbaum: (to the tune of Yankee Doodle)
Laura Birnbaum went to Penn,
So far across the country;
Swung her hips and shook her tail,
And Swingers let her run free.
Laura Birnbaum, does not rest,
Laura Birnbuam dances;
Minds her homework and the beat,
And with Onda she romances!
(By Jack)
Maddy Yasner: You can find Maddy Yasner at one of three places on campus: Hillel or the dance floor. Though Maddy may maintain that she is Conservative, her dancing is anything but. Like latkes on Chanukah, dancing is the soul food without which Maddy cannot do. She can’t help but share either. The troupe appreciates her talent teaching tap, and our Philly favorite seems to find fun in it all. Are you still looking for the third place? So is she. (by Jack)
Sean Madigan: Sean comes to West Philly Swingers from Phoenix, Arizona, where he spent a good portion of his undergraduate career dancing. Now a second year grad student in cognitive psychology, Sean felt a need to continue the trend. He's chronically underslept and perpetually caffeinated, but he's happy to dance the night away and even when he closes his eyes he's still dancing.
Susan Krissel: When Susan is not saving lives, this junior Nursing student from Oregon saddles up on the dance floor. The same sympathetic spirit which sends her to Nursing shows up while swinging, as she consistently sports a smile, flattering the advanced and neophite alike. Such a sweetheart, Susan makes great strides in her dancing, endearing everybody in Swingers. She also sells seashells by the seashore. (by Jack)
Vets
Chris Arasin: Believe it or not this college sophomore is in fact a newbie, but not to the Swinger lifestyle...of dancing, cooking and cuddling. When he walked in the door to try outs we knew he was something special, it was like he had sax appeal written all over him, or at least on his shirt. Chris is any woman's dream man: he dances, he cooks, and he's furry. So ladies, this is your lucky night, because Chris will be treating you with everything from his sexy blues to sweet tap steps, and playing it up in just about everything other number this evening. (by Kim)
Jack Cohen: Jack is back.
Kim Gallant: Whether it’s dancing, studying both mechanical engineering and finance, or eventually ruling the world, this swinger doesn’t mess around. Not only can Kim dance, while she’s dancing with you, she’ll design a pocket-sized cooling device and then sell it to you because you’ll need it after experiencing her hot moves. As you can see, Kim is very smart, which is why in the future she will eventually choose me, not Ben, as her trophy husband to love and support… and dance with. (by Chris)
Rachel Amalo: Rachel may be a sophomore, but she still rocks the dance floor. Rachel comes from Uganda, and while we're not sure if there's much swing dancing in Uganda, it doesn't seem to matter. She's prone to being a little crazy on the dance floor and pretty awesome in general. Just don't try reaching her on her cell phone! (by Sean)
Rebecca Aaberg: This Midwesterner has brought a refreshing breath of kindness into our swinging lives. She appreciates all music, and even makes some of her own on the clarinet and oboe (don’t be alarmed if you see her playing an instrument while her entire face is painted red and blue – she is only supporting Penn basketball with the pep band). She also has previous experience with dance, including tap and jazz, so don’t expect her to miscount any moves! (by Sandra)
Sandra Mazlagic: Ever since she was a little girl in Bosnia, Sandra dreamed of being a West Philly Swinger. She learned the French Horn and played for change on the streets to make enough money to buy a row boat and row to the USA. Eventually she stumbled onto Franklin Field where the Penn Scrambling Band was rehearsing. Now a member of the Penn community she could finally make her way to tryouts. Now Sandra can be seen happy as a clam, with her curly pigtails bouncing around on the dance floor. From her now bubbly personality, you would never know the mountains she had to overcome to achieve her dream. (by Mike)
New Vets
Andrew Trees: Swingin' in from sunny San Diego, CA, Andrew skis, surfs, travels and now SWINGS his way into the hearts of all who know him. This LSM sophomore was born upside down, but that didn't stop him from growing to a height as tall as his last name. Don't let his towering height fool you though; Andrew's really a sensitive gentle giant with a killer smile. His greatest fears are girls (so be gentle with him) and dancing (we find that hard to believe). Watch out for this newbie sensation: especially when he strides across the floor for a dance. With you. Rawr. (By Lionel)
Tony Vergara: Tony is lazy.
Oat Naviroj: New to dance floor, Oat brought to the newbie group excitement and a bounding interest for swing. Not only one of the most desired dance partners on the newbie ranks, his dancing is smooth and way down low. Picking up new moves with ease, Oat improves every time he goes dancing. The most common thing you’ll see him do is take his dance partner and try out new dips and turns, expanding his repertoire and attracting all the follows on the dance floor. (By Saras)
Chennery Fife: Chennery came to Penn from Denver with over two years of experience swinging and it certainly shows! Fusing her Denver rhythm to Philly grooves has created a dancer that exudes confidence and flair. With a swivel that'll knock you away, Chennery gets way down low and channels the music into her dancing. The most common thing you'll hear this dancer say is that she "just loves dancing!" Boundless enthusiasm and love of dancing makes Chennery a strong flavor on the dance floor. (By Saras)
Grace Lin: Infected by the dancing bug while an undergrad in the Midwest, Grace started med school at Penn in search for a cure - but look where that got her. Now when she's not running around in a white coat or buried alive under a heap of books, dancing keeps her sane and her feet on the ground (in the figurative sense, of course). This hep kitten comes with a built-in swivel step and a lifetime warranty for cutting a rug!
Hal Emmer: When he's not swinging, Hal enjoys playing the rubber ducky in the Penn Band and riding his bike at midnight through the Philadelphia streets in search of pretzels. A deep love for zany screen-printed tees make one wonder why he still hasn't learned to separate the whites from the darks. But at least Hal never hesitates to wear pink socks. While studying electrical and materials engineering at Penn, Hal stays focused on the important things in life, like dares to grow out and then remove awkward facial hair and free Thanksgiving food. Hal Emmer remains a wonderful friend, excellent musician and discerning critic of all things stupid.
Lindsey Allwine: Growing up on the streets of Washington (state), Lindsey often found herself running with a tough crowd. A lover, not a fighter, she instead turned to dance as a form of self-defense. The next time a gang threatened her, she busted out her moves, hoping to keep them stunned for long enough to run away. Her plan worked too well, though, as she literally blew their minds. She stood there for a while, dazed, and decided to dedicate her life to helping people not die. She came to Pennsylvania (not state) to learn to save people, and continue practicing dancing, and running. Her favorite food is macaroni and cheese, especially from a blue box. Her worst nightmare is being attacked by swarms of those tiny, loud dogs, and her favorite quote is "Oh no, you di'n't!" (By Hal)
Samantha Lim: "Blues with me, baby"- the first words we heard her say Just under a year ago, when she arrived in the U.S.A.
We knew that she was strange but not to what extent Till we realized her gradual move into the House sans rent.
We were mortified beyond belief but what could we do?
As this little lass played on our hearts and woo did she woo.
Alas! For time is short, and soon shall she go forth (Let’s pretend I have a lisp, and thith thought I shall endorth)
With silliness like such, Sam accustoms us to her world of utter nonsense and daily ridicu… lous… ness. [Hi GreenRanger!]
Saras Windecker: Hailing from the Middle East, our smallest swinger, Saras, thought she was joining a troupe and found instead she’d joined a family. This blonde bombshell steals the hearts of those around her both on the dance floor and in the kitchen. If you catch her triple stepping her way around campus, pretend to be a gust of wind and sweep her off her feet. You won’t regret it. (By Chennery)
Sharon Her: Sharon is only coordinated while dancing and playing volleyball. Or so she claims- her, and the coffee stains on my favorite dress shirt. Thanks, Sharon. A sophomore in the College, she enjoys stalking little kids, I mean... working as a camp photographer, making out with dough and inhaling baked goods. When she isn’t busy with these or eyeing Chris’ latest lingerie choice, this crazy Californian can be found charming chums with her bangin’ bodyrolls and vivacious voice. Who else has a last name that’s also a pronoun but Her? Sharon Her. (By Sam)
Wendy De La Rosa: For years, Wendy had been fighting the great force of swing. Her powers proved too weak against the force and after years of ignoring her true calling, she succumbed. Wendy decided to follow her instinct and give swinging a chance this semester and hasn’t looked back since. This little 5’1’’ dancer burns up the dance floor with her Latin Heat. She might study in the Wharton School, but when she really gets down to business, it’s all about the swing.
Winston Wey: Looking for a new way to get social with the ladies after discovering that they didn’t like to be tossed around with judo throws (outside the bedroom), Winston joined Swingers. A brief but memorable introduction to swing dancing in his last year at high school hooked him like crack, and he’s been fighting the addiction ever since by getting his swing on with the troupe and every swinger in New England. With his Triple-Crown Champion physique, Winston can show you that although judo means “the gentle way” – and he is graceful on the floor – he can be anything but... if you want it, honey.
