During his foreign study program in Beijing, China last summer, Brandon Aiono '11 tried to make a name for himself through karaoke and competitive dancing. Back on campus this fall, Brandon is making a name for himself as presidential assistant to Student Body President Molly Bode '09. Fonzworth Bentley, anyone?
Tell me about the Foreign Study Program you did this summer in Bejing.
Well in the beginning I was very focused on studying -- Chinese is a very intensive language. After a while though, I realized I was in Bejing to experience China, not just to study my books. After that, I'd stay out until 7:30 in the morning and get back half an hour before class -- just enough time to study for the daily quiz. I spent the majority of my time going out with a group of local friends. We would just go crazy. I won dance contests, karaoke contests, drinking contests -- I tried to make a name for myself in Bejing.
Did it work?
I think so. I wasn't trying to make an impact on the whole city, just on the lives of the people, the local people I hung out with. Before I got there, I had a lot of misconceptions about China. I thought it would be unwelcoming and cold, but I found it to be the complete opposite. Everyone was very warm and hospitable and great. I wanted to show them that Americans are the same way, that we too just love other people.
What were some of the highlights of your trip?
My friend Ruslan Tovbulatov '09 came for the Olympics. Through his connections, we got tickets for tier-one seating at the opening ceremony, and we got to sit with all the different European Olympic committees. It was amazing! In general, it was just a great experience to go out and meet new people. That's what I'm all about. I guess the reason I clicked with the Chinese so well is that they are very welcoming, appreciative people, and that's what I aspire to be.
Would you say that's why you're a part of Student Assembly?
Yes, exactly. People are my passion.
How long have you been a part of SA?
I was elected to be the class representative from East Wheelock last fall, and I became most involved last winter, when Molly Bode came back on campus. She was the chair of the Student Life Committee, which I was a part of. Molly pushed me to take on more projects and cultivated within me someone worthy of being an executive on the SA board. After she was elected president, she asked me to be the presidential assistant.
What does being her assistant entail?
Being presidential assistant involves, well, doing menial tasks of course, but also meeting with different administrators, presenting to different groups on campus, doing research for Molly. I'm the head of a bunch of different projects, mostly small things that don't fall under any one committee.
How much do you think of yourself as Molly's personal assistant versus just another member of the SA executive board?
I'm not exactly a personal assistant, although from a friend standpoint I do like to see that she is managing everything well and that she's healthy and not going insane. But she'd never ask me to do anything like get her coffee -- we'd go down together and get it and talk about life or upcoming projects. I do have the title, but it's just being friends, hanging out, doing things I would normally do for her. Also, on the exec board, I'm not necessarily just helping Molly. When Nafeesa Remtilla '09 [Vice President of SA] or other committee heads need something, I can take that burden off their shoulders. I'm basically the gofer for the executive board.
Are you and Molly friends outside of SA?
Well, we haven't even known each other a year, but she's one of the people I'm closest to on campus. But for us, there really are no specifically inside SA"outside SA settings. All of the execs have such high roles and do so much for SA that it really does assimilate into our lives in a way that doesn't allow for a separation.
Is it strange that you're being told what to do by one of your best friends?
Not at all, usually I have to ask her to give me tasks! She's very good about making sure that I'm not overwhelmed. I guess in that way I'm probably a bad presidential assistant because I don't just take orders. But Molly doesn't give me orders anyways.
Is it a fun job?
Yeah, it's great. I basically get to be her best friend in a way that I can to put on a resum. And I get to spend time with 15 other amazing individuals who I know want to enhance the Dartmouth experience for everyone.
Do you do this job with the intention of someday being in Molly's place as SA president?
I don't even know what I'm going to wear Friday to the Little Jackie concert, let alone whether or not I want to run for student body president! [Laughs] But I guess it's always good to keep my options open.
What do you most admire about Molly as a leader?
Something I see Molly do every day is be able to find out what makes a person special and then bring that out in them -- what makes them unique, what talent they have -- that's exactly what she does and what I try to do. I know that she is the kind of person who is able to make other people realize ... sorry, this is getting way too deep for the Mirror.
You're right. Are you with familiar with Fonzworth Bentley?
Who's Fonzworth Bentley? Oh! Is he the guy who holds P. Diddy's umbrellas? It's funny you should say that because before coming here, a friend told me to tell The Mirror, "Do you know who I am? I'm Brandon, I'm P. Diddy's umbrella guy." [Laughs] But I guess I'd have to say no, I don't feel like him. I feel more like we're Shaggy and Scooby-Doo than Diddy and Fonzworth Bentley. I'm still a sidekick. I may not be the titular character, but I'm an important part. And I'm very happy with that.
