The 2010 Committee

Hayley Mc Intosh - Chair

Greetings! My name is Hayley and I am officially the chair of this rabble (otherwise known as the committee). I am a PhD student in Atmospheric Science and can't remember a time when I didn't dance in some form.

My aim as chair is to provide a happy environment for all members to dance, learn and have fun. The most important part of UCT Ballroom is its social aspect: we are here to have fun. The fact that we can out-dance every other university in the country is just the icing on top.

If you are keen to make friends you will keep for the rest of your life, learn a valuable skill and have a blast, UCT Ballroom is for you. We hope to see everyone on the dance floor.

Lara Milne - Vice Chair

Hi all. I seem to have replaced myself as Vice Chair, which should suggest what a good time I had on last year’s comm. In this capacity I book venues, answer emails, and do general society admin… and, of course, dance a lot. I joined ballroom in 2008 with no dancing background whatsoever, and needless to say I was soon entirely hooked.

If I’m not dancing, or concocting a suitably bizarre outfit for the next social, I’ll probably be singing, and when I’m not doing that I’m probably up to my eyebrows in books and papers. 2010 will be my third year at UCT doing a BA in English Lit and Classics.

Gershwin Scheepers - Treasurer

I joined ballroom last year and am currently in my honours year for my Bachelor of Business Science degree.

To tell a bit about my experience so far I'll ask you a question: what's it like when you make a small decision to join something; perhaps a cause, a movement or a society? You might just find that the way you approach life sub-consciously changes.

The more you look at it the more you see dancing in every part of your life until you just stop, and everything becomes what's right in front you, and as you read this, staring at the page you might just realise that your entire life has become... dare I say it... a dance!

Clair van Eyssen - Socials

Hi everyone, I'm Clair (yes, without the 'e')*! I am currently studying Occupational Therapy here at UCT and am loving it! This will be my fourth year of ballroom and I can honestly say it's the best decision I have made yet. I cannot believe how much fun I've had - I have not looked back. I have loved dancing for a long while and yet there is no dancing like ballroom dancing!

This year it will be my job to keep all of you guys happy and danced out! This I plan to achieve in the form of socials! A social happens every couple of weeks and usually runs for about 4 hours! Here you get the opportunity to DANCE! Expect dressing up, craziness and much fun! See you on the dance floor!

* no I don't have a problem with how you spell my name!! :)

Rudi Botha - O-Week and Intervasity

Hey hey. My name is Roo. I'm organising O-week and Intervarsity for 2010. I love dancing and I'm really excited to show all the newcomers how awesome it is! It's far from just learning steps. Ballroom is for anyone, a time to meet great people, move around a bit to create happy endorphins in your body, learn a lifelong skill (that’s very attractive to have for guys and girls) and have tons of fun!

As for me... I'm currently a second year Civil Engineering student, in Carinus Residence and honestly a ‘plaas meisie’. I’ve only been doing ballroom dancing for a year and I'm never looking back – it’s the highlight of the week. I also enjoy being outdoors, hiking, playing PC games, going out with friends and watching movies. See ya’all on the dance floor!

Adrienne Daniels - Medal Tests

Hello all you soon-to-be dancers (and to all the golden oldies as well).

So here I am again, organizing your Medal Tests for another year. I am a final year Occupational Therapy student (it's okay if you don't know what that is – it involves lots of hard work, sweat and tears and sometimes even medication to stay sane). I have been dancing since 2007 and I absolutely love it! Life before ballroom is just a dull memory.

Medal Tests are your chance to get a better idea of how your dancing is going and have fun learning more in the process! You'll get to have an awesome time at the pre-Medals social and show your friends and family everything you've learned when they come to watch you do your test. Looking forward to a positive and dancing-filled year!

Claire Hanley - Formal

My name is Claire, I did a BA in Environmental & Geographical Sciences and Drama. By this stage I will (hopefully) be studying my PGCE (Post-grad in teaching). And dancing. Obviously. :)

By some cruel trick of fate, I only discovered my love for dancing at the beginning of 2009! But I have never looked back. After 4 years at university, I can honestly say that one year with UCT Ballroom was the best thing that I ever did! I've made loads of friends, challenged myself a lot, boosted my confidence and actually enjoyed exercise! And so here I am, on the committee and responsible for the most beautiful and glamorous event of the year.

Rock on! ;)

Richard Parry - IT

Hi, I’m Richard, your minister of information technology. I’m an ex-UCT student, an entrepreneur and self-confessed dancing addict. This is my 3rd year of dancing and I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone who’s only just started.

This year I’m in charge of everything that has anything to do with IT. So if you have a digitally related query, send it on to me. Don’t be afraid to harass the committee, that’s what we’re here for. Use our online resources (the website, email, VULA, Facebook page, etc.) to keep in touch with the society.

We’ll keep you updated as the year progresses with news and info on all ballroom-related activities.

Contact ontheball.uctballroom@gmail.com