The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

Inside PTSO funding
Alice Stillerman, Junior Editor • May 25, 2023

The Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) is one of the main funders of many Jackson-Reed programs, clubs, and extracurriculars. “The Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization embraces our community and helps support the many needs that exceed our school budget from DCPS. The PTSO raises funds to ensure that we can meet the needs of the administrators, teachers and students as they...

Principal Brown holds a coffee talk regarding school’s security
Cole Zich, Contributor • May 25, 2023

Principal Sah Brown hosted a coffee talk for parents on November 19 in the College and Career Center.  This was intended to be a general meeting, but due to recent events was primarily about the shooting...

The new kid and the unexpected virtue of novelty
Isaac Y. Yebio, Contributor • May 24, 2023

On Monday, September 29, I entered Jackson-Reed High School for the first time. As I walked through the atrium, I couldn’t help but feel my stomach drop to the floor. It was nothing like Montgomery County. I...

ACT vs SAT vs Test-Optional
Cole Zich, Junior Editor • May 24, 2023

The SAT and ACT are staples of the college admission process. Since COVID though, many colleges have begun to allow students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. Even so, SAT and ACT scores...

Nature's calling: a guide to Jackson-Reed's bathrooms
Lizzie Himmlefarb, Margot Nissen, and Brian Metzger May 24, 2023

Boys’ Bathrooms God couldn’t get to everything in those first seven days; the boys’ fourth-floor bathroom was clearly never touched by the hand of the Lord. The bathroom goes two for seven...

Volume 86 Issue 6
Volume 86 Issue 6
May 5, 2023

Click here to see the full issue!

Volume 86 Issue 5
Volume 86 Issue 5
March 22, 2023
Volume 86 Issue 4
Volume 86 Issue 4
February 14, 2023
Volume 86 Issue 3
Volume 86 Issue 3
December 20, 2022
Inside PTSO funding
Alice Stillerman, Junior Editor • May 25, 2023

The Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) is one of the main funders of many Jackson-Reed programs, clubs, and extracurriculars. “The Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization embraces our community and helps support the many needs that exceed our school budget from DCPS. The PTSO raises funds to ensure that we can meet the needs of the administrators, teachers and students as they...

Principal Brown holds a coffee talk regarding school’s security
Cole Zich, Contributor • May 25, 2023

Principal Sah Brown hosted a coffee talk for parents on November 19 in the College and Career Center.  This was intended to be a general meeting, but due to recent events was primarily about the shooting...

DCPS boundary re-drawing process begins
Clara Doyle, Contributor • May 12, 2023

DCPS announced they will be redrawing boundaries that will determine the feeder pattern for students. The Redrawing Committee met for the first time on March 30 where members discussed their hopes for...

Jackson-Reed joins Safe Passage initiative
Greta Bradley-Meal, Jessica McCallum, Junior Editors • May 12, 2023

Jackson-Reed joined the Safe Passage initiative, which aims to increase student safety across DC, this school year. The initiative provides Safe Passage workers who are positioned near school entrances...

New budget opens new opportunities
Natalie Gordon, Sports Editor • May 12, 2023

Jackson-Reed has received additional funding for the 2023-24 school year to keep up with the growing student body, which will be used in part to hire new staff members. Positions being added include teachers,...

Field scheduling conflicts hinder Jackson-Reed spring sports teams
Field scheduling conflicts hinder Jackson-Reed spring sports teams
Noa Gordon, Contributor • May 12, 2023

The coaches of the boys frisbee team, ranked 13th in the nation, are considering quitting due to scheduling conflicts.  Recurring miscommunication around field use throughout the spring sports season...

The new kid and the unexpected virtue of novelty
Isaac Y. Yebio, Contributor • May 24, 2023

On Monday, September 29, I entered Jackson-Reed High School for the first time. As I walked through the atrium, I couldn’t help but feel my stomach drop to the floor. It was nothing like Montgomery County. I had never been the new kid before. For most of my academic life, excluding a brief stint at a Jewish day school in Pre-K, I had always been a part of Montgomery County. That was until I suddenly...

ACT vs SAT vs Test-Optional
Cole Zich, Junior Editor • May 24, 2023

The SAT and ACT are staples of the college admission process. Since COVID though, many colleges have begun to allow students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. Even so, SAT and ACT scores...

Nature's calling: a guide to Jackson-Reed's bathrooms
Lizzie Himmlefarb, Margot Nissen, and Brian Metzger May 24, 2023

Boys’ Bathrooms God couldn’t get to everything in those first seven days; the boys’ fourth-floor bathroom was clearly never touched by the hand of the Lord. The bathroom goes two for seven...

Good Morning, Officer Stallingers
Good Morning, Officer Stallingers
Mabel Canty, Contributor • May 17, 2023

Every morning, without fail, Officer Stallings stands at the left security machine to greet students coming to Jackson-Reed. The Beacon decided to interview our cherished security guard to learn a little...

We tried every breakfast sandwich in Tenleytown so you don’t have to
We tried every breakfast sandwich in Tenleytown so you don’t have to
Benjamin Chait and Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter May 17, 2023

Second Chance: Steak N Egg 3.7/5 We begrudgingly made our way back to the sore loser of the milkshake review, hoping to give them a second chance to prove themselves with a challenge a little more in...

PARCC testing doesn't serve students
The Beacon Staff May 21, 2023

If there’s one thing Jackson-Reed staff, students, and administrators can all agree on, it is our frustration with the return of PARCC testing.  These standardized exams, described by the official website of the DC Superintendent of Education as “annual assessments of mathematics and … ELA,” last six school days and inflict immeasurable amounts of trauma upon proctors and test-takers. Up...

Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget for next year slashes rental eviction assistance amid national housing crisis
Isabelle Posner-Brown, Junior Editor • May 17, 2023

As students of Jackson-Reed high school, it's safe to say that all of us live in DC or neighboring DMV areas. As such, we are familiar with the growing numbers of homeless people congregating in many DC...

Anger is an unproductive political strategy
Dante Chinni, Contributor • May 17, 2023

It's no secret that in the United States (and in democracies around the world), there is a large amount of political frustration. People are angry about the state of politics in their country: issues such...

Lockdown drills fall short of preparing students for emergencies
Greta Bradley-Meal and Jessica McCallum May 17, 2023

I hate school shooter drills. I hate sitting on the floor, I hate the migraine-inducing PA screech, I hate waiting for the day that the chewed up gum on the bottom of the table becomes lodged in my hair....

Jackson-Reed fails to prepare students for the real world
Radha Tanner, Junior Editor • May 17, 2023

The education that we receive as high schoolers at Jackson-Reed doesn’t prepare everyone for the careers they intend to pursue post-graduation, nor does it prepare students for the real world. Currently,...

Inside Jackson-Reed's weight room
Meredith Page, Contributor • May 17, 2023

If you have ever spent time in the weight room, you would know about the filth that surrounds it. Hardly any of the treadmills work properly. One of the cycling machines makes an ear piercing screech when...

U.S. Women's National Team earns 2-1 win against the Nigeran National Team
Josephine Caplan, Junior Editor • May 23, 2023

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, or the USWNT has made history yet again. On Tuesday, September 6th, the USWNT played a non-league game at Audi Field, marking the first time they have ever played a match in DC. The stadium was packed, with a total of 18,869 fans. They beat the Nigerian National Team, 2-1.  Although the team had many close calls in the opening minutes of the match, they weren’t...

Football team captures first win against Ballou
Nico Anaganostopolous, Contributor • May 22, 2023

The Jackson-Reed tiger’s got their first win over Ballou High School on, Friday, October 7th, the final score being 20-19. The team got their first win this season after starting Robert Dockery Jr at...

JR swim team gears up for this year
Kavita O'Malley and Addison Childre May 22, 2023

The tiger sharks made a splash in their 2022-2023 swim season.  Although the team faced obstacles early on, with practices being relocated to Takoma Aquatic Center throughout December, they had an...

Track alumni gives generous donation to current team
Norah Caplan, Junior Editor • May 22, 2023

A group of Jackson-Reed alumni has donated $2500 to the school’s track and cross country team. The money was originally raised to pay for the preparation of a cross-country course that Ronald Jenkins,...

Serena Williams' career ends but her inspiration remains
Norah Caplan, Junior Editor • May 22, 2023

On Friday, September 2nd, tennis star Serena Williams got knocked out of the US Open, marking an end to a storied career that fans worldwide will never forget. Her dedication and perseverance has inspired...

The harsh realities of winter crew
Adler Amolsch, Spread Editor • May 22, 2023

The crew team never sleeps.  Stepping into Jackson-Reed’s atrium during these peaceful winter months, with a warm cup of coffee in hand, you are often met with grunting rowers on the erg and music...

Los adolecentes y la salud mental
Clara Durante, Editora junior de Español • May 17, 2023

La adolescencia es un momento en el que los jóvenes enfrentan desafíos emocionales y sociales, cambios físicos y hormonales que pueden causar un estado mental sensible. Este periodo difícil de la vida...

Reseña del álbum "Oracolo" pro Skinshape
May 17, 2023

“Oracolo”, italiano para “oráculo”, se lanzó en 2016 y es uno de seis álbumes del artista...

Toma un libro: nadie es demasiado genial para leer
May 17, 2023

Hoy en día existe el fenómeno de los  “ipad kids”: los que no pueden despegarse de la pantalla,...

Comunismo vs. capitalismo: la relacióon entre Guatemala y los EE. UU
May 17, 2023

Se conoce muy bien la historia imperialista de los países latinoamericanos. Cuando pensamos en los “colonizadores,”...

Novedad musical: Natalia Lafourcade
May 17, 2023

Natalia Lafourcade es una artista nacida en México conocida por sus canciones pop-rock y música folk....

Student business feature: Ashley Abarca
Student business feature: Ashley Abarca
Lauren Devine, Contributor • May 24, 2023

Nowadays, there has been an increase in popularity of handmade jewelry online, but it is hard to make anything, but it is also hard to find anything online that is cute and cheap. But here at Jackson-Reed...

Spring events to check out in D.C.!
May 23, 2023

Farmer + Flea Markets  The combination of pleasant weather, seasonal items, and special events make...

Faculty Favorites! Recipe Edition: Ms. Postler’s Cookies
May 23, 2023

I have always been interested in cooking, and when presented with the opportunity to interview one of...

Taylor Swift Ticketmaster fiasco
May 23, 2023

According to the Oxford dictionary, disappointment is defined as a sadness or displeasure caused by the...

Movie Review: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
May 23, 2023

Content Warning: slight spoilers regarding new movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever  With the death...

January Spread
January Spread
Zach Isaacs, Dani Wallace, Eli Schwartz, Ellenia Paty, and Adler Amolsch February 10, 2023

Click here to read!

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