2008 Woodie Awards
Dance team grows although SGA funding does not
Michelle Santora
Issue date: 10/31/04 Section: News Stories
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You may have seen them perform at Midnight Madness. They practice in the Plourde Recreation Center. They have required sign-ins at the gym. They perform at half-time shows. And now, they even compete in national competitions.
Although the Dance Team has only been in existence for three years, this year being the start of the fourth, the team wants to prove that it's no easy task to be a member, especially when it comes to finances.
The team originated with only six girls. Having no coach or choreographer, the team members were basically left to fend for themselves. They created their own routines, ordered their own uniforms, and organized rehearsals. Since then, the team has expanded to 16 members, a coach, Amy Beth Cuccaro, two co-captains Senior Casey Strzempek and Junior Sarah Neithercut.
"The dance team is growing, and there is no doubt that they are enjoyed by those on campus," said Coach Cuccaro, class of '03, "but the team cannot thrive on positive feedback and verbal support alone."
Although the team is growing, and has made it up to the ranks as a "competitive club," it still does not receive adequate financial aid from the college.
"We are able to apply for money from the Student Government Association and Joe Golia has been a great contact and support for the team, but the money from SGA is not dependable," said Cuccaro. "There is no system evident to us as to how the money is split up among the groups applying for financial support."
SGA Vice President of Financial Affairs Justin Killion, commented on the situation. He said that "funds come from the student activities fee that everyone pays in their tuition. The funds are allocated to many different organizations including CAB, the Reach Out Center, Campus Ministry, the Finance Committee, etc."
In terms of fundraising, the dance team has made great efforts to raise money on their own. However, this still creates obstacles. A main source of fundraising has been working at Gillette Stadium for Patriots home games, working as vendors of food and beverages. For instance, for a Sunday 1:00 p.m. game, the team would meet at 8:00 a.m and would most likely not return back to campus until 8:00 p.m. The dance team is not allowed to use school transportation to Foxboro, so it resorts to car-pooling and collecting money for gas. The days have proven to be exhausting, but worth the money.
Although the Dance Team has only been in existence for three years, this year being the start of the fourth, the team wants to prove that it's no easy task to be a member, especially when it comes to finances.
The team originated with only six girls. Having no coach or choreographer, the team members were basically left to fend for themselves. They created their own routines, ordered their own uniforms, and organized rehearsals. Since then, the team has expanded to 16 members, a coach, Amy Beth Cuccaro, two co-captains Senior Casey Strzempek and Junior Sarah Neithercut.
"The dance team is growing, and there is no doubt that they are enjoyed by those on campus," said Coach Cuccaro, class of '03, "but the team cannot thrive on positive feedback and verbal support alone."
Although the team is growing, and has made it up to the ranks as a "competitive club," it still does not receive adequate financial aid from the college.
"We are able to apply for money from the Student Government Association and Joe Golia has been a great contact and support for the team, but the money from SGA is not dependable," said Cuccaro. "There is no system evident to us as to how the money is split up among the groups applying for financial support."
SGA Vice President of Financial Affairs Justin Killion, commented on the situation. He said that "funds come from the student activities fee that everyone pays in their tuition. The funds are allocated to many different organizations including CAB, the Reach Out Center, Campus Ministry, the Finance Committee, etc."
In terms of fundraising, the dance team has made great efforts to raise money on their own. However, this still creates obstacles. A main source of fundraising has been working at Gillette Stadium for Patriots home games, working as vendors of food and beverages. For instance, for a Sunday 1:00 p.m. game, the team would meet at 8:00 a.m and would most likely not return back to campus until 8:00 p.m. The dance team is not allowed to use school transportation to Foxboro, so it resorts to car-pooling and collecting money for gas. The days have proven to be exhausting, but worth the money.