Profile on
Ben Wikler, Wingra alumnus

Occupation

Campaign director for Avaaz.org, a global online advocacy group. Ben previously worked with Al Franken on his books, radio and television shows, and political projects; contributed to The Onion, served as press secretary on Sherrod Brown's US Senate campaign in Ohio, and co-founded the Student Global AIDS Campaign while in college at Harvard.

In a Nutshell

Wingra School had an absolute impact on who I am. It takes a lot of early encouragement to feel confident enough to take creative risks in comedy. It's hard to imagine that I would have found affirmation for such a nonstandard focus anywhere else—and it's hard to imagine an elementary school that values the particular talents and interests of individual children more than Wingra.

The thing that made Wingra so perfect for me was the incredible amount of individual attention I received over the years. Like many Wingra students—and people in general, I suppose—I had a bundle of strengths and weaknesses. I arrived very shy, became a feisty kid, and sometimes had trouble with organization. But I loved math and writing and working in groups. At Wingra, my strengths were maximized and we found ways to work around and reduce my weaknesses.

The chief example is comedy writing—not an academic subject at most elementary schools, but something I loved to do. I began writing jokes and drawing comics very early—and by the end of fifth grade, with unflagging support from my teachers, I wrote, directed, and acted in a satirical play, performed for an audience of parents at a talent show. Twelve years later, I've written for The Onion and work with Al Franken on his books and radio program.