Bash benefits memorial fund

The Sunset Grill at 37th and Chestnut streets was host to a party Friday night sponsored by Chi Omega -- but this wasn't any ordinary night of Dionysian revelry. The party, "Dance for Dance," benefited the Emily R. Sachs Memorial Fund, named after the Penn student and Chi Omega sister who died shortly after her freshman year in 1995. Sachs, diagnosed with asthma at the age 2, was a pre-med student and an accomplished lyrical ballet dancer. She died from asthma complications a few weeks after her freshman year ended. A member of Arts House Dance during her first year at Penn, Sachs was named Miss Dance Pennsylvania in 1992 and Miss Dance New York in 1994. She garnered several other awards and titles during her career as a dancer. Sachs' parents established the fund the summer after her death. It is slated to pay for performing arts space in the Perelman Quad, above the Irvine Auditorium stage. College senior Marla Snyder, a good friend and member of Sachs' pledge class, remembered the petite ballerina as "the No. 1 dancer in the world." "I went to watch her give up her crown [as Miss Teen Dance] in New York City in 1995," Snyder said. "In her speech, she thanked Penn for giving her the best year of her life. She loved this place." She added that Friday's party was extremely successful in raising money for the fund. It attracted a crowd of more than 700 people and raised approximately $3,661 -- double the profits from previous years. Arts House Dance performers were also on hand to pay tribute to Sachs in a floor show. "This means the most to our class graduating," Snyder said. "Everyone affected two years ago was just as affected today." Snyder added that the party was also therapeutic, giving people the chance to "get together and have fun and dance" in memory of Sachs. The goal of the fund is to reach the $100,000 mark, the cost of the future Perelman space, within five years. With the money raised at this year's Chi Omega party, the goal is well in sight -- the fund has raised nearly $85,000 to date. In addition to funds raised by the sorority, individual friends and family have also made donations to the fund. College senior Amy Siegel, an executive member of Chi Omega, described Sachs as "one of the nicest people" and noted the shock that followed her untimely death. "She was a part of my good memories," said Siegel, stressing the importance of funds which will provide much-needed performance arts space on campus. College senior Nicole Totah, a member of Arts House Dance, added that Sachs was "an inspiration" whose expertise and grace was imitated by other dancers.