By Stella Keeney
Elm Staff Writer
Senior Erin Helgerman excels in a wide range of activities here at Washington College, from Fetching Freedom to class council. A double major in sociology and studio art with a psychology minor, she proves that she can balance it all.
“The College has been great where I can kind of just cater to what I want to do…I’m able to mix it all together,” Helgerman said regarding what it has been like to major in two different disciplines.
One of Helgerman’s main roles on campus is as a raiser for Fetching Freedom, the club where students train service dogs. She started working with the program during her freshman year.
“I just ran into the dogs on campus at Club Fair… I just was like, ‘Oh my gosh I have to do this,’” Helgerman said.
Koa, one of Fetching Freedom’s current service dogs in training, is the fifth one she’s worked with.
Helgerman is also the Vice President of WC’s class of 2026.
“I’m working super hard on senior week, and every activity leading up to graduation…I’m just super involved with the student body,” Helgerman said.
Involved is the perfect word to describe Helgerman, who is also a George’s General, working to connect incoming students to WC and giving tours of campus.
Helgerman is working on two separate senior capstones as a double major, each showcasing her unique and extensive skillset. For sociology, Helgerman is studying the effects of dog programs on incarcerated individuals. For the art major, Helgerman is contributing her work, which utilizes discarded technology, to the studio art SCE exhibition on April 17.
Helgerman considers her work in the art department to be one of her biggest accomplishments at the College.
“I came in not really knowing what I wanted to study and I kind of picked that up…I’ve gotten to travel…and work with artists in Cuba, which then I’ve had in galleries.”
Beyond her list of achievements, Helgerman is a very caring person.
“I’ve always had a really deep sense of empathy, and so I think that’s really carried throughout my life,” Helgerman said.
Senior Stevie Lyles, one of Helgerman’s best friends since their freshman year, said, “Erin truly gives her all to everything she does…It is so incredible to watch her work ethic pay off.” An empathetic friend and a hard worker, Helgerman has been an amazing and valuable part of the student body throughout her time at WC.
A challenge Helgerman has faced over her time at WC is “overthinking things and having that imposter syndrome . . . in spaces that [she’s] now been able to thrive in” but where she initially felt like she did not belong.
Helgerman has since overcome her insecurities through reassurance from friends and professors, and overcoming her self-doubt while in college has made her feel more prepared for the world beyond graduation.
Helgerman also said she has gained the ability to adapt to various environments during college.
“Post-grad is definitely unknown…but I feel like I have enough in my skillset to be able to go in blind.”
Helgerman wants her legacy here at WC to be all the hard work she has put into the Fetching Freedom program, as well as the Class of 2026’s personalized bricks, which will be placed in the campus’ new tennis facility, the Lim Family Tennis Center.
When asked about giving advice to underclassmen and incoming freshmen, Helgerman said, “networking is your best friend…even just chatting with somebody for a minute or two,” and “just putting yourself out there and having conversations with people can get you really far and open up your world.”
Photo caption: Senior Erin Helgerman has positively contributed to the Washington College community in her four years.
Photo provided by Erin Helgerman