"Age doesn't always bring wisdom.
Sometimes age comes alone."
- Unknown
Temporary DM Body Text.
"The men who try to do something and
fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and
succeed."
-Lloyd Jones
DM - 1993
DM - 1994
DM - 1995
DM - 1996
Reflection - Five Years
Later
I used my Dance Marathon experience for many of my Business
School Applications. Below is most of my essay for Wharton in
response to their question: "Describe a personal achievement
that has had a significant impact on your life. In addition to
recounting this achievement, please analyze how the event has
changed your understanding of yourself and how you perceive the
world around you."
Thank you again Dance Marathon...
After surviving thirty hours of music and dancing, the crowd applauded the record $315,143 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For me, that moment was the culmination of a year’s dedication leading Northwestern University’s Dance Marathon – the nation’s largest student-run college philanthropy. I had learned from the successes and disappointments of my predecessors for three years, constantly refining a strategy to captivate the volunteers and exceed our goals. Following countless organizational meetings, educational firesides and various fund-raisers, we transformed the student union into an incredible epicenter of activity. Over half the student body supported the 800 dancers and committee members.
Leading a voluntary student-run philanthropy that is dependent upon thousands of volunteers is a challenging endeavor. Leaders must employ a balance of character, dedication, and intelligence to constantly set an example and inspire their team to push further. First assembling and matching an ideal set of complementary talents (co-chairs ran committees) was paramount to our success. I eventually molded an enthusiastic and cohesive team that ran smoothly despite conflicting schedules and commitments. Empowering team members with authority encouraged them to exceed their toughest goals, although I still managed carefully to avoid pitfalls. I was also effective because I reminded each individual of their valuable contribution. Other times, however, I was the voice of authority and experience to support my sometimes protested but later appreciated leadership decisions. An effective leader helps the team stay focused on the unified goal; for us it was providing hope and fulfilling wishes for 100 terminally ill children. Encouraging successors to aim for greater heights, I authored the first comprehensive manual in the organization’s 22-year history. Helpful thoughts and pertinent records contained within led to greater efficiency the following year.
Photographs of the Make-A-Wish kids at Dance Marathon’s culmination described by a newspaper as "more exciting than [Northwestern’s trip to] the Rose Bowl" still make me emotional. Witnessing testimonies from Wish families, let alone meeting them in person, erodes any composure I try to maintain. The lost innocence of these children can be too much to bear. Providing the kids with an escape from their otherwise discouraging reality is a priceless gift. I was thrilled I was able to impact ninety-nine of these families by helping to provide the resources to help their terminally ill children enjoy their gift. But what still breaks my heart is Ryan, a boy who wanted to ride in a racecar, but who was taken too quickly by Leukemia for his wish to come true. Part of the reason I dedicate myself to my career is so I can one day provide the support to make it possible for children like Ryan to have more time.
I had always desired to ensure those around me are enjoying life while creating lasting friendships, but Dance Marathon, and my experiences since, have further engrained my dedication to that end. Taking advantage of the opportunities that life presents, however, demands a responsibility to give back. Every individual can make a difference and I strive to fulfill my duty to create that impact. These values have further entrenched themselves in my persona. I have driven to balance my challenging professional career with my cherished personal relationships. I have continued to commit myself to others through leadership and philanthropic pursuits, such as the Private Equity Analysts of Chicago, or continued work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Absorbing stories like Ryan’s and countless other Wish Kids has deepened my desire to grab life and witness the world’s wonders with each opportunity I have been honored to enjoy. Enjoying weekend get-aways or pursuing my photographic hobby is part excitement and part duty.
While the experience was a collegiate activity, the peer leadership skills I developed will last a lifetime. True leadership originates and is sustained from those being led, as opposed to the notion that confuses leadership with managerial authority. In business, I hope to lead a team of peers and co-workers not because they are forced to follow me, but because they are inspired to. Dance Marathon required that skill. With hindsight’s benefit, I acknowledge that most of my career frustrations and difficulties have resulted from working for managers that were not leaders, but mere authorities. They did not respect the teams – or individuals – strengths and weaknesses, nor did they motivate the team around unified vision. As often as the principle is repeated and as simple as it sounds, "treat others as you wish to be treated" is an exemplary rule. Leading Dance Marathon was the best time of my life due, in part, to embodying that principle and leading by example. Success during that venture, furthermore, has encouraged me to seek out further leadership opportunities that I know I will enjoy. Team members and faculty also encouraged me to continue such endeavors, as I have enjoyed good fortune in developing, nurturing, and leading teams; I hope to repeat this achievement throughout my business and philanthropic career.
DM and after...
Scott
and I at his wedding in the Summer of 2000.
Under construction 
**All photographs (unless otherwise noted) are
the property of Stenning Schueppert and may not be distributed or
circulated for any purposes (personal or commercial) without his
express written consent. Questions or comments regarding selected
photographs are, of course, welcome.
Last updated May 15, 2001.
