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

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor

Yes, she does have a long last name. When Deirdre’s not busy going on 3 hour hikes and commenting on every house she likes (or doesn't. I mean, who likes stucco walls?!!), she can be spotted bullying her dog (much love Ben <3<3) or being taller than everyone.

All content by Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter

One-on-one with Ms. Levenson

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor June 21, 2023

A hypnotic ringing sound fills the College and Career Center as Elizabeth Levenson sits at her desk and stares at the phone in front of her. She’s on the phone with College Board, trying to locate hundreds...

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

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...

100 word rants: We don’t talk about Bruno, security, hall sweeps

Many people know and love me for my hot takes. And let’s be real, I have a lot of them. But my biggest irk of all may still come as a shock to my loyal fans: I detest Bruno Mars. When I see that fedora...

Photo by Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter

We tried every chocolate milkshake in Tenleytown so you don’t have to

M.I.A: McDonald’s 0/5 With our stomachs empty and hopes high, we entered McDonald’s excited to try a road trip staple: the McD’s chocolate milkshake. However, to our anger and dismay, the ice...

With hopes to open next fall, DCPS struggles to make MacArthur accessible city-wide

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor March 23, 2023

Whenever DCPS tries to solve a problem, they always seem to go about it in the strangest ways. The most recent example of this is the new MacArthur school, which is an attempt to reduce the student...

January crossword answers

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor February 10, 2023

Answers to the January 2023 Beacon crossword.

Say goodbye to tipped minimum wage:  Initiative 82 marks a turning point for minimum wage workers

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor January 23, 2023

DC voters have overwhelmingly voted to pass Initiative 82, which will phase out tipped minimum wage by 2027. The legislation marks a turning point for workers’ rights in the District. When I first...

Arctic Monkeys’ Releases New Album

Arctic Monkeys’ Releases New Album

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 27, 2022

Rating: 5/10 Arctic Monkeys’s long-awaited album, “The Car”, was finally released on October 21. Full of soft sounds, the album is the band's seventh studio release and seems to be a rejection...

Photo Courtesy of Eli Schwartz

DCPS ruling blocks Christian athlete group chapter at Jackson-Reed

DCPS ruled on Tuesday that Jackson-Reed is barred from establishing a chapter of the national Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), saying that the organization’s “sexual purity” statement violates...

Jackson-Reed’s newest club looks to give the website a new look

Jackson-Reed’s newest club looks to give the website a new look

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 15, 2022

If you’ve thought our school website could use an upgrade, you’re not alone. Luckily, seniors Margaret Patterson and Fiona Fitzsimons are here to save the day with their new organization: the website...

Photo Courtesy of Eli Schwartz

Grievance halts formation of Christian athlete group

The complaint accuses the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. The school’s chapter of FCA, which had not yet begun, is suspended for at least 30 days.   A Christian...

Fashion Club’s stylish seniors

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor October 17, 2022

Maybe you’ve seen them strolling in the halls or lounging on the senior steps during lunch; the seniors of Jackson-Reed’s fashion club always look fresh. Founded in 2019, the club offers a place...

Optional prayer offered for Jackson-Reed staff

Before doors opened for students on the first day, Jackson-Reed’s principal, Sah Brown, offered an optional prayer for staff led by Clarence Alston. “[I] offered an optional prayer gathering for...

The overturning of Roe v. Wade goes against basic human rights

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor June 27, 2022

I believe reproductive rights are human rights. Clearly, this is not an opinion held by the Supreme Court of the United States.  On May 2, 2022, a draft opinion was leaked to the press in which the...

Photo Courtesy of DCPS

Sah Brown to be Jackson-Reed principal

Eastern High School Principal Sah Brown was selected as the Jackson-Reed’s new principal for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. He will replace Interim Principal Gregory Bargeman who served as principal...

Sexual misconduct at Jackson-Reed

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor May 13, 2022

A fleeting hand or leering look, a touch here, brushed away quickly: sexual harassment is commonplace at Jackson-Reed. According to End Violence Against Women, an organization that campaigns governments...

We tried all of the pizza in Tenley so you don’t have to

We tried all of the pizza in Tenley so you don’t have to

Benjy and Deirdre are back, here to ruin our stomachs for your entertainment. This month we face a fierce contender: pizza. Or, more specifically, pizza slices, since eating multiple small pizzas in one...

Growing enrollment will exacerbate overcrowding problems

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor March 30, 2022

Enrollment at Jackson-Reed next school year is projected to be 2,128 students. The number of students has steadily increased over the past decade. As more students enroll, there is less space available...

College Board finally listened to students

College Board finally listened to students

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor March 30, 2022

I hate the SAT. Students shouldn’t have to sit in a room for three hours to show how smart they are when they've been doing that for the last twelve years? Now that more students are fleeing to the...

February/March spread

February/March spread

Click here for the february/march spread!

Vandalismo en los baños causa respuetas estudiantiles

Vandalismo en los baños causa respuetas estudiantiles

El vandalismo antisemita y racista encontrado en el baño de niños del cuarto piso en diciembre provocó colaboración entre la Unión de Estudiantes Judíos (JSU), la Unión de Estudiantes Negros (BSU),...

Student groups advocate for change

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor February 23, 2022

Antisemitic and racist vandalism found in the fourth-floor boys bathroom in December sparked collaboration between the Jewish Student Union (JSU), Black Student Union (BSU), Arab Student Union (ASU), and...

We tried all the fries in Tenley so you don’t have to

We tried all the fries in Tenley so you don’t have to

Benjamin Chait and Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter February 17, 2022

Keep your friends close but your fries closer. This is a motto we live by. $22 and a case of moderate heartburn later, we tried all of the french fries in Tenleytown so you don’t have to.   The...

January Spread

January Spread

Click here for the January Spread!

We tried every muffin at Whole Foods so you dont have to

We tried every muffin at Whole Foods so you don’t have to

Benjamin Chait and Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter December 17, 2021

Whole Foods is a popular destination for many Tigers wanting a last-minute snack. In the front corner of the store sits the bakery section: a glorious collection of croissants, bagels, and our favorite,...

Hate symbols found in bathroom

Hate symbols found in bathroom

Four swastikas, the “n-word,” and the words “white power” were written in the fourth-floor men’s bathroom earlier this month.  And just this past Friday, a student reported seeing the phrases...

How an unlikely match survived a pandemic

How an unlikely match survived a pandemic

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor June 21, 2021

“Couples that poop together, stay together,” Duncan Grant says, laughing. His girlfriend, Wilson junior Natalie Sachiko, laughs along nodding. The pair have been dating for nine months, beginning...

Smithsonian Arts and Industries museum presents “FUTURES”

Smithsonian Arts and Industries museum presents “FUTURES”

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor May 9, 2021

The Smithsonian Arts and Industries building is opening in November 2021 after nearly 17 years of being closed to the public. Partnering with Autodesk and Rockwell Group, the exhibit “FUTURES” will...

“A Promised Land” reveals the inner workings of Obamas presidency

“A Promised Land” reveals the inner workings of Obama’s presidency

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor March 30, 2021

“A Promised Land”, a memoir written by former president Barack Obama, provides an engrossing look into his eight-year tenure as Commander-in-Chief. The 700-page book is as wordy (yet enthralling) as...

New grading system benefits education

New grading system benefits education

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor March 21, 2021

As the pandemic rolls on, school can feel increasingly useless and monotonous. DCPS has done a lot to assist students during this drudgery, including changing the grading policy. The new grading system,...

Learning online for Wilson from Switzerland

Learning online for Wilson from Switzerland

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor January 17, 2021

I wake up at 10, get changed, eat breakfast, and leave the house by 11. Maybe I’ll go on a hike, or a bike ride, or even into the city, and come back to the house around 2. After showering, I'll do homework,...

My top five Christmas songs to blast during the holiday season

My top five Christmas songs to blast during the holiday season

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor January 12, 2021

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms This song is recognizable from the second it starts. It’s easy lyrics and simple beat offer it my list’s 5th place spot. A cornerstone of Christmas music,...

Homecoming didn’t happen for a reason: lets keep it that way

Homecoming didn’t happen for a reason: lets keep it that way

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor December 2, 2020

As of November 16, one in five worldwide cases of COVID-19 originated from the USA. We are well on our way to surpassing 14 million total cases. As this is all happening, a new craze, coined “foco,”...

DCPS teachers completed a survey to assess reopening availability

DCPS teachers completed a survey to assess reopening availability

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 29, 2020

In the last week of September, DCPS sent teachers a survey regarding their availability to return to in-person learning. The survey included four options with three of them being 100 percent virtual options...

The best DC hiking trails for exercising during quarantine

The best DC hiking trails for exercising during quarantine

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 29, 2020

Picture this: the sun breaks through the canopy of the Beech trees, glinting off of the red leaves as the creek gurgles below. You're walking on a trail, leaves crunching under your feet, and breathing...

Biking in DC is a unexpected and thrilling experience

Biking in DC is a unexpected and thrilling experience

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 2, 2020

Ever had a death wish? Go biking in the city! With honking cars zooming past you, being sure to avoid potholes, and trying to figure out if you’re on 34th Street (which leads downtown) or 34th Place...

Good aspects of virtual learning

Good aspects of virtual learning

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor November 1, 2020

Virtual learning has been a challenge for all of us. From tech issues, to bad WiFi, to low student participation, no one can deny that these last couple months have been trying. Yet, I believe there are...

Cheap clothes and child labor: the dark underworld of fast fashion

Cheap clothes and child labor: the dark underworld of fast fashion

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor October 24, 2020

Let's be honest. We’ve all seen that $5 shirt from Zaful and thought about buying it. I mean, who wouldn't? That's so cheap. In our ever-changing economic and social status, we are virtually wired to...

The dark side of TikTok

The dark side of TikTok

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor October 18, 2020

Remember the days of innocently watching lipsyncing videos on Musical.ly? Well, those are long gone. Recently, TikTok has exponentially increased in popularity around the world and currently has around...

Unbiased journalism is crucial to an open-minded society

Unbiased journalism is crucial to an open-minded society

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor October 9, 2020

When you come downstairs in the morning, how often do you see your parents reading the Washington Post or an article on their phone? We all read news reports everyday, using them to learn recent and relevant...

Church and state should be separate, but are they?

Church and state should be separate, but are they?

Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter, Managing Editor September 17, 2020

The separation between church and state is an idea that was written into our very own Constitution. The first amendment stipulates that Congress should pass no law favoring or prohibiting certain religions....

Freshman computers delayed until February

Freshman computers delayed until February

Benjamin Chait and Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter January 30, 2020

Freshmen are going to have to wait until at least February to receive personal computers from DCPS. Despite plans to issue the laptops in the fall of 2019, implementation problems and a lack of funding...

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