Gracie Helfrich



Projects by Gracie Helfrich

Journalism Story

IU STUDENT MAKES WAVES IN BLOOMINGTON PERFORMANCES

By Gracie Helfrich, Makenna King and Sayje Jaffe 

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3, 2025).

Indiana University constantly sees thousands of students make their way through undergrad tracks. Students enroll, take classes, switch majors, find internships, and graduate (sooner or later). Indiana University sees this pattern time and time again. It is more than common. 

Contrary to this pattern, something less than common can be found within Freshman Matt Trzaskus; that something is passion. “My passion for performance started when I was really young. I really liked Star Wars and I wanted to be a Jedi. And I figured out very quickly that Jedi aren’t real, but actors are.” Trzaskus said.

This passion for performance is also seen in Freshman Jaxon Brown. Brown is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree of fine arts, focusing in cinematic arts at Indiana University. Yet, Brown’s passion for performance has faced obstacles. 

“I definitely prefer performing, but I don’t really give many chances to. So, I’m like behind the scenes.” Brown said. He hopes to have more opportunities in the future.

This interest in performance is something Brown also discovered at a young age, similar to Trzaskus. “I think 13 [years old] was the first time that I watched a film where I was like, I want to do that.” Brown said. The film discussed here was Back to the Future. 

Yet, Trzaskus discovered his love for theater at an even younger age. He recalls third grade to be the year where his interest began, encouraging him to join school-lead theatre groups. He states, “I started really doing it [theater] in middle school and I’m still doing it [theater], which is kind of surprising to me, but it’s just as exciting.” 

Matt Trzaskus explaining his relationship with theater, and how it affects him daily. He participates in multiple programs, and has regular dress rehearsals.

Trzaskus is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree of arts focusing in theater drama and english at Indiana University. He is a member of Boy in the Bubble Comedy Group, who most recently produced the show Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind; additionally, Trzaskus is currently performing in a production of Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegrut. 

As he pursues a double major while simultaneously devoting himself to multiple productions at once, time management has become an ongoing struggle. “It is a constant uphill battle with time,” said Trzaskus. 

“I’ll really admit I undertake a lot of things because like my mom told me that if you always say yes, you won’t ever miss an opportunity,” explained Trzaskus, “However, I’ve learned very quickly that eventually you do have to start saying no.” 

This endeavor with time management is a hardship that not only Trzaskus has faced in his pursuit of theater education, but it is also something Brown experiences, where, “I think there are little moments when I release something [film] and I’m like, ‘oh, this is great.’ But then it’s like, for me, it’s immediately on to the next. So, I don’t really sit in it that often. So I guess it’s like the little moments of doing so,” said Brown. 

This struggle is something that Trzaskus has met with motivation found in theater itself. “It’s [theater] a huge time commitment. You’re like at the end of your you’re like, I’m done. Like I maybe never want to do a show again. And then everyone walks out to you and tells you what the show meant to them or what this work you’ve created; I write as well, what it meant to them and if it made them feel something, whether that was ‘Oh my gosh, that was so funny’ or ‘Oh my gosh, you made me cry’ or ‘That was shocking’”, said Trzaskus, “Like the rawness of human reaction is something that only arts can, like, pull out in the way that they do. And each time you get that experience, whether it’s someone laughing at your joke or crying at your line delivery, it’s like for me, it’s like addicting.” 

Jaxon Brown uncovering his past with performing arts. He is a film major that enjoys learning about all aspects of theatrical acting and film.

Brown finds his motivation through career aspirations. “I want to make it [performance] a career.” Brown said.

In conjunction with finding motivation through career aspirations, Brown also finds motivation within those who inspire him. Brown is inspired by musician, artist and comedian, Donald Glover. 

“He [Donald Glover] does whatever he wants, really. And I want to be able to do that creatively and still make money, you know.” Brown said.

Both Trzaskus and Brown are students who stand out within the pattern of students who enroll, take classes, switch majors, find internships, and graduate (sooner or later). They stand out because of their passion for performance, and their constant diligence.

Matt Trzaskus guides viewers through his  theater journey to showcase the dedication it takes for success. He acts in the play, “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind”, and hopes to share his talent with the world. 

Public Relations Story

The release of Apples newest product; Apple Watch unveiled by Tim Cook at Cupertino presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

    Media contacts
Brendan Brown
Gracie Helfrich

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014), –

Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the Apple Watch at an Apple event in Cupertino,

California. This release happened this tuesday. At the event the new device was shown off in full detail. The audience was introduced to the digital crown, health and wellness features, as well as size variety information about the new watch.

The event was an information filled experience. Cook took to the stage to give a lengthy lecture style presentation. Nearing the end of the presentation, he appeared both animated and excited; Cook announced “One More Thing”. He sprang into a brief explanation, describing and introducing the new product. Cook did this somewhat vaguely, yet his explanation was followed by a video showcasing the Apple Watch in its full glory. During this video we as an audience were shown that the Apple Watch features a brand-new innovative design. An imperative aspect to this design is the “Digital Crown,” This is a traditional watch feature, turned into innovation. The digital crown is the core of the product. The digital crown is to the apple watch as the human finger is to the iphone. The digital crown is a scroll type mechanism that the user will operate to toggle from feature to feature on the watch. It is a simple, easy to use function that is completely unique to the Apple watch. The digital crown is a jocose nod to watches of the past. The digital crown took a previously known feature of an analog watch, and turned it into something entirely new, while still respecting and recognizing watches of the past. The what was once known, traditional scroll wheel on the side of every watch is now the key navigation tool for the Apple Watch. A huge benefit of the digital crown feature is the fact that it prevents the apple watch screen from being obstructed by the human finger. This is especially important due to the incredibly small size of this new digital watch screen.

A woman flaunting her Apple Watch
A woman flaunting her Apple Watch with a stylish brown band. The design can match with any outfit in a non-obtrusive way.

Health and wellness have not necessarily been associated with watches of the past. However, this is a notion that the Apple watch may be challenging. One of the Apple watches’ most prominent new features is its health and wellness tracking. These features are in full view on the watch, and they are incredibly easy to access, which is a huge game changer for those looking to frequently access information regarding their day to day health and wellness. One of the ways these health and wellness features operate is based on the Apple watches infrared technology. The infrared technology detects your heart rate at all times. Other technical elements of the health and wellness tracking are the heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope. These detections are 100% easily accessible to the user.

The Apple Watch is seen in action. This is one of the first times we have seen the Apple Watch on a human wrist.
The fitness features of the Apple Watch include exercise tracking. The new watch is capable of tracking running, walking, and heart rate.

The lack of size variety in the watch market is an issue that is being tackled by the Apple watch.  The release of the apple watch itself is incredibly impressive and notable to watch consumers. There is a plethora of convenient never before seen features that come along with this new watch, and in addition to all of these cutting edge new features, there is now a simple luxury of size variety as well. This simple luxury is somewhat overlooked in Cook’s presentation. He did not dwell too much on this aspect of the product’s release, especially in comparison to some of the watches other features, like the digital crown or the health and wellness qualities. The option of a smaller or larger size is incredibly well received by consumers, and has granted apple praise among a variety of watch purchasers.

The new Apple Watch can be seen in full effect above. We are able to view it in an artistic way.

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