Helena Okolicsanyi

Freelance radio journalist

Washington D.C.

Book and music hoarding 22 year old, enthusiastic about the world with a passionate curiosity. Based near Washington D.C., but wants to travel and explore more stories. Interested in human rights issues, arts, and culture.

Helena Okolicsanyi

Freelance radio journalist

Washington D.C.

Behind the scenes of Mason's 2013 Drag Show
Did you attend this year's Pride Week Drag show? Connect2Mason Enteratinment Editor Helena Okolicsanyi recently sat down with the show's producer Alex Gant along with two student performers to give an insider's look into what goes on behind the scenes of putting on this large, campus-wide event.
Connect2Mason
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Q&A with The Last Bison front man Ben Hardesty
You might have missed the release of Chesapeake, Va.-based band The Last Bison’s album “Inheritance,” but it hasn’t gone unnoticed by others. With an album released in early March, this seven-piece folk band performed all across the country this year and was part of a star-studded line-up at the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. With a loyal home fan base, this group is ready to take the music industry by storm with their unique and vibrant sound reminiscent of bands such as Fleet Foxes and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Front man Ben Hardesty, spoke with Connect2Mason in February, before the band’s release of their first full-length studio album.
Connect2Mason
Why the perception of sexual assault surrounding the Steubenville rape case should appall you
Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on March 17 two 16-year-old male high school students found out their fate in a case that has captivated the nation and rocked the small town of Steubenville, Ohio.
Connect2Mason
Documentary chronicles life and death of journalists in Mexico
In 2012, approximately 232 journalists were imprisoned worldwide according to The Committee to Protect Journalists. This statistic marked 2012 as one of the toughest years for journalists. Each day, the people in this profession risk their lives to tell stories while facing possible imprisonment, torture or death. Yet, journalists continue to do the difficult work of telling the story; but, if the work is so risky, why do journalists continue to risk their own lives?
Connect2Mason
Invisible Children GMU welcomes up-and-coming musicians for benefit show
On Tuesday, Feb.12, George Mason University’s chapter of the non-profit Invisible Children hosted a free benefit show. The event showcased music by three up and coming performers including student artist, Miranda Lapides, the Great American Canyon Band and California-based band, Branches.
Connect2Mason
Mumford & Sons do not disappoint audiences at the Patriot Center
Fresh off of their slew of Grammy wins, Mumford & Sons took residence at George Mason University’s Patriot Center for two back-to-back shows on Feb. 13 and 14.
Connect2Mason
Grammy Awards fail to reflect music reality
Known as the “biggest music show on television,” The 55th Grammy Awards airs this Sunday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. on CBS. However, does a Grammy award, or even a nomination, hold weight anymore?
Connect2Mason
Mark Morris Dance Group brings back alumni for performances this weekend
The New York City-based Mark Morris Dance Group will be performing for two nights at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Praised by dance star Mikhail Baryshnikov as “one of the great choreographers of our time,” Mark Morris is no joke in the dance world.
Connect2Mason.
OPINION: Move:DC, power in numbers and how we can change the course of history
On Saturday, Nov., 17 over 10,000 people convened at Washington D.C.'s Walter E. Washington Convention Center for something quite extraordinary. As part of the non-profit organization Invisible Children, individuals from across the United States and more than 60 countries came to demand justice as part of Move:DC.
Connect2Mason
Film “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” comes to Mason
There are few artists who have evoked such controversy as Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Known for his criticism of the Chinese government, a new film entitled “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” follows the controversial figure through his art and his activism. The film will be screened on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center Cinema followed by a panel discussion. Known for his famous design of the 2008 Bejing Olympics Birdsnest stadium, Ai Weiwei has since gained international fame outside of Chin
Connect2Mason
"Into the Woods" brings Mason's music and theater departments together
The College of Visual and Performing Arts is embarking on a new journey; that is a magical journey into the land of fairy tales. In a collaboration between George Mason University’s School of Music and the Department of Theater, the CVPA is presenting Stephen Sondheim’s 1987 musical “Into the Woods.”.
Connect2Mason
Musician Koji comes to Mason
The musician who simply goes by Koji has been playing and singing for most of his life, even before he knew what music actually was. Since then, Koji has come a long way.
Connect2Mason
Audio
Actor Stacy Keach launches Mason's new theater project
Golden Globe winner and Tony award nominee, actor Stacy Keach is embarking on a new journey. This time, he will be improving the acting chops of the actors at George Mason University’s Theater Department.
Connect2Mason
Alice Walker visits Mason for Fall for the Book
There are many novels that capture an audience’s attention. Works such as “The Great Gatsby” and “The Giver” are often read in high school and college literature classes.
Connect2Mason
State of the Union: Juxtaposition of past and present
“Photography is a way of collecting. It is the ultimate ideal of nostalgia.” That’s exactly how California-based photographer Gregg Segal sums up the focus of his work Segal’s set of photographs titled “State of the Union” contrasts two distinct eras of an “idealized Civil War embodied by Civil War reenactors versus the commercialism of contemporary life,” as detailed on his website. Segal’s photography is currently on display until October 1 in the Mason Hall atrium through Mason’s School of Art.
Connect2Mason
The History and Versatility of Jeans | The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Whether you've had them for years or just bought a new pair, odds are good you own at least one pair of jeans. How and why we wear them says a lot about who we are and how we want to be perceived. They can cost $30 or $300, and the variation in styles is nearly endless. So how did heavy duty work pants become a wardrobe staple?
The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Audio

About

Helena Okolicsanyi

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A 22 year old (recent) graduate from George Mason University majoring in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Communication & Technology. I also hold a minor in Electronic Journalism and hope to work as a radio journalist in the future. During the spring of 2011, I worked at National Public Radio’s Washington Desk as an intern where I helped cover national political news from the White House, campaigns and the U.S. Congress including the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden. In the spring of 2012, I was a producer’s assistant for the award-winning discussion show The Kojo Nnamdi Show based on American University’s campus as part of NPR’s member station WAMU. I served as the Entertainment Editor for Connect2Mason, George Mason University's student run media outlet for the students and the community. Currently, I am a media logger at Voice of America monitoring incoming news feeds and transcribing video. I am also a contributor to American Student Radio.

Outside of journalism I was a third year residential adviser for freshmen students and served on the executive board for Invisible Children at George Mason University's campus. In June of 2013, I was a state leader with the nonprofit The Enough Project, working on encouraging congressional leaders to support anti-genocide legislation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.