Benjamin Helfrich
Benjamin Helfrich is entering his final quarter of graduate study at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Raised in Northbrook, Ill., he graduated from Miami University in 2004 with a BS in Education. Prior to Medill, Benjamin taught middle school history in Skokie, Ill. and high school history and psychology in Cincinnati, Ohio. Benjamin's work has appeared in a variety of Chicago area newspapers including: The Daily Herald, The Northwest Indiana Times and The Chicago Defender.
As a News21 Fellow, along with Brad Flora, Benjamin explored alternative Christians using tattoo as a major form of faith expression and youth outreach. Coupled with a print story about the subject is an interactive map highlighting 11 individuals who explain their religious ink in candid detail.
With Hilary Oswald, Benjamin worked on projects involving the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, N.Y. and the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both events marked a unique blend of belief and civic life involving members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Benjamin will intern for Agence France-Presse in Bangkok, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia this fall before moving to Washington, DC to complete his degree.
