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Our Story

Love at first sight...

“Look at that weirdo.” That’s what Sofia Buxareo said to her friend when she first spotted Jon Shanahan standing in front of the Apple Store in Ross Park Mall. Sofia’s brother Francisco worked at the store, and during a visit to see him, Francisco introduced his sister to the dork. Suddenly, Jon seemed a bit less dorky and even borderline endearing. Sofia began to do some social media investigation. At first, Francisco was their go-to go-between, but quickly became fed up with delivering messages between the star-crossed lovers. Then one late November morning, Jon sent Sofia this song on Spotify.

After a flurry of text messages over the next two weeks, Jon and Sofia set their first date. On December 1st, Jon arrived at the Buxareo’s promptly at 5:30, and met Sofia’s parents Francisco and Beverly for the first time while Sofia finished getting ready upstairs. They went to Chipotle for dinner, then to Rave Cinema to see The Muppets. After the movie, they headed for the South Hills for a frozen treat at Sugar and Spice, the Shanahan family’s ice creamery. Jon had keys to the store, and the fact that it was closed for the evening only made the excursion more exciting. When their date was over, Jon and Sofia bombarded Francisco and Amanda Buxareo with messages saying how excited they were about the new relationship. That evening, Jon told his roommate Ross Grieco to keep two dates open - 11.12.13 and 12.13.14. Jon had already started to plan a flash mob.

The next few years were highlighted with trips to Chicago for Lollapalooza; Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland to see their favorite bands; a trip to Disney World while visiting Jon's family in Florida, and various vacations to the beach where their romance only deepened. During these beach trips, ties to each other's families solidified this match made in heaven.

Through 2011, 2012, and 2013 the idea of the flash mob continued to develop in Jon's mind. He weighed options for location, time, and trying to train his friends and family members to dance in synchronization. While standing in the front row with Sofia at a Fitz and the Tantrums concert, the energy of the performers conducted a bolt of creative inspiration in Jon, and he immediately pulled out his phone and started a group chat.

In the 2010-2011 semester, "Schneider 1" took home 1st place at the La Roche talent show for a performance of the song “I'm No Superman.” It was time to get the band back together.

Within three minutes, the plan was in motion.

Over the next few months, the band rehearsed songs that had become significant to Jon and Sofia over the course of their relationship. “I'm No Superman” was significant for both the connection to the talent show, and the theme song to one of Sofia and Jon's favorite shows, Scrubs. Jon had a tuxedo jacket made to match the one worn by Jason Segel in The Muppets as a callback to their first date. In all, they covered 10 songs leading up to the song Question to close out the night.

-Special thanks to Jonathan Wander