THURSDAY,MAY1,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN =9A
Upbringing matures student
Danny Zaslavsky, Overland Park freshman, is attending the University of Kansas for a degree to become an orthopedic surgeon. Zaslavsky has grown up fast learning Russian and attending dinner parties with friends of his parents.
Brandon Baker/Kansar
By Megan Hickerson
mhickerson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Every face in the crowd and every name in the phonebook has a story behind it. Every week, The University Daily Kansan writer Megan Hickerson tells the story of a randomly selected KU student.
As a child, Danny Zaslavsky attended adult dinner parties but didn't play with Legos.
The Overland Park freshman said he grew up faster than other children because of his international upbringing.
"My parents are both from Russia and we speak Russian in our home," Zaslavsky said. "Because
I didn't speak any English until I went to kindergarten. I just spent time with my parents and their friends."
Zaslavsky's parents moved to the United States from Kiev 20 years ago. His fast maturation didn't seem to bother his parents.
"Danny was a little adult from the get-go," his father, John, said
Because of his family's cultural background, Zaslavsky said, he grew up with different skills and values than his peers.
"Growing up so fast is double-sided," he said. "I can grasp concepts that most people my age don't think about. It also helps me talk to my professors, but it's hard to lose your innocence when you're so young."
David Stolzer, Zaslavsky's roommate and friend of five years, said Zaslavsky was "way ahead of his game."
"He's a 40-year-old man who's trapped in an 18-year-old's body." Stolzer, Kansas City, Kan.,
freshman, said. "He enjoys things that a normal 18-year-old wouldn't enjoy — like operas and plays."
Zaslavsky seems to still be living a fast-paced life, advancing toward his goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. He's been working at Menora Medical Center in Overland Park as a scrub technician, where he assists during surgeries.
"I worked in general rotations
Although he admitted some downfalls to his early maturation. Zuslavsky plans to raise his own children the same way he was raised.
for a while, but I really like orthopedic surgery," he said. "It's like carpentry work because it deals with bones."
"I liked growing up being so close to my family," he said.
— Edited by Brandon Gay
Dancers meld styles in show
By Eddie Yang
eyang@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The department of music and dance will host the third annual New Dance performance at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night.
For $1, students can watch the dancers perform in various styles at the Elizabeth Sherbon Dance Theatre, 240 Robinson Center.
The organizers are expecting a crowd.
"We will be performing in an informal setting with pull-out bleachers," said Jerel Hilding, associate professor of dance and director of dance. "Last year we were close to running out of seats."
Hilding said the performance space, which holds about 150 people, was converted from
Greg Chubb, Lawrence resident, will be one of those people filling the seats.
a studio in the Robinson Center.
"One of my friends is dancing, and I promised that I would go." Chubb said. "It's going to be interesting because I've never seen her perform before."
Hilding said the performances would be composed of modern dance routines choreographed by students.
Megan Jensen, Olathe senior, choreographed one of the routines.
"There are about five senior projects in the show that is a requirement for dance majors," Jensen said. "I've been working on my project since February and have been rehearsing two nights a week since."
Jensen said she came up with the routine by concentrating on
"I just put on music and dance until I find something I like," Jensen said.
her body movements.
Hilding said there would be a couple of solos, duets and groups with five to 11 dancers. He said the styles would vary from modern hip-hop to jazz-Renaissance fusion.
"My routine is kind of a mix of various styles," Jensen said. "We are influenced by what we are taught so its kind of easy to see which dancers were working with which professor."
Hilding said that a good turnout would be good for the dancers.
"It's your fellow students on campus," Hilding said. "It would be comparable to going to the performance of a KU undergraduate composer."
- Edited by Andrew Ward
Sandcastles
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
"It's a great workout. You burn something like 500 calories." Weas said. "Plus, you get some sun."
Sculptures included traditional sandcastles, a mermaid, a turtle and a Jaghawk.
Two representatives from SUA
and Mary Lee Hummert, interim vice provost for student support, judged the contest. Judging was based on structural stability, artistic merit and creativity and "overall sweetness factor."
"Basically it means how cool they are." Mesmer said.
Lawrence graduate student, took second place and received $50, and "Swamp Fox" by Eales, Weas and Schultz won third place and received $25.
"Rivendale" by Tyler Balsman, Union Town, Mo., freshman, won the $100 grand prize. "Mermaid" by Marinella Leon,
"The $100 prize sounded pretty nice to me." Balsman said. "I got off class early and said, 'What the heck, I'll build a sandcastle.'"
- Edited by Julie Jantzer
Hedden
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
development in music.
book of Research on Music Teaching and Learning. His interests include psychology of music, behavioral research in music and foundations of music education and curriculum
Nancy Giossi, assistant to the dean of the School of Fine Arts, said Hedden's knowledge of the University would give him an advantage.
"Dean Hedden's strength is that he knows this school," Giossi said. "As native of Kansas he is very familiar with the Legislature and Board of Regents, and he is already familiar with the budget situation in the state."
Hedden said he found going to concerts, exhibits and performances energizing.
"Supposedly that's my job," he said. "What a fun job to have."
Edited by Melissa Hermreck
Work for The Kansan Opinion Page, It's better than therapy.
HURRY, APPLICATIONS DUE MONDAY MAY 5,2003
Applications can be picked up in Room 111 Stauffer-Flint Bring applications to Louise Stauffer's mailbox located in Room 111.
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