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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

Rebecca Green

Rebecca Green, Editor-in-Chief

  • 2023-2024: Editor-in-Chief
  • 2022-2023: Features Editor
  • 2021-2022: Section Copy Editor
All content by Rebecca Green
RIVAL REVIEWERS WRAP UP - Francesca and Becca pose in front of a high school for the last time. After years of reviewing Rivals, the two reflect on their time at JR.

Rival Reviews: Jackson-Reed

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato May 3, 2024

Dear beloved readers and followers, We are sad to say (no we are not) that our time with you is coming to a close. While this isn’t the last Beacon of the year, it is our last edition with our names...

CHEERIO, CHIEFS! - Becca and Simon pose with two Beacon editions from their time as Editors-in-Chief. After a tumultuous tenure, the two plan to use the lessons they have learned to their advantage during this next chapter.

Editors-in-Chief say farewell

Becca Green and Simon Holland May 3, 2024

With April showers come May flowers, and with May flowers comes giving up our powers.  As we publish our final edition as chiefs, we wanted to reflect on our time on the Beacon. From humble beginnings...

REVIEWERS STRANDED - Renowned Rival Reviewers Becca and Francesca were trapped at Walt Whitman when their car broke down. Fortunately, they were saved.

[Photo] Rival Reviews: Walt Whitman

Rebecca Green and Francesca Purificato February 13, 2024

REVIEWERS STRANDED - Renowned Rival Reviewers Becca and Francesca were trapped at Walt Whitman when their car broke down. Fortunately, they were saved.

UNION UNITES - The Arab Student Union held a Palestinian culture night at Busboys and Poets. The union had to relocate after the event was shut down at JR during the planning period.

[Photo] ASU celebrates Palestinian culture in Takoma

Rebecca Green, Editor-in-Chief February 13, 2024

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS - Members of the Foty family perform at the Arab Student Union’s Palestinian Culture night.

JR introduces plagiarism-detecting software on Canvas

JR introduces plagiarism-detecting software on Canvas

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato December 18, 2023

Earlier this month, a handful of teachers noticed a new tool available on Canvas: Turnitin, an external software program that checks student assignments for plagiarism. DCPS recently invested in the Turnitin...

Rival Reviews: Washington Latin

Rival Reviews: Washington Latin

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato October 11, 2023

Thought you could get rid of us? Think again. We’re back and better than ever. For those unfamiliar (freshmen), we’re here to provide you with the inside scoop on all the high schools in the DMV. And...

Community grapples with the SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

Becca Green and Natalie Gordon October 11, 2023

After the Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions this summer, counselors and students at Jackson-Reed are discussing the best ways to approach applications when it...

Bollinger fashion review: a collection

Becca Green, Editor-in-Chief July 27, 2023

While history teacher Michelle Bollinger may not see herself as a fashion icon, students and staff can’t help but notice the chicness of her minimalistic style. Bollinger is unique in the fact that...

TIGERS IN BLACK AND WHITE - Esteemed rival review authors Rebecca Green and Francesca Purificato pose in front of SWW paraphernalia. The pair were underwhelmed by what the school had to offer.

Rival Reviews: School Without Walls

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato June 21, 2023

Hello dear readers and Tess Buckley (who we know reads these despite going to Walls). In light of the new staff cycle (see new titles above) we’ve decided to expand our horizons for our beloved column....

MORNING ROUNDS - Principal Sah Brown pauses on his daily hall walks to chat with a teacher before class one morning.

Reflecting on Principal Brown’s first year

Becca Green and Simon Holland June 21, 2023

In a school this large, forming connections isn’t something that is necessarily easy, so Principal Sah Brown made it a priority to build relationships with students, staff, and community members outside...

BELOVED BESSER - Aaron Besser holds up a bag of his chemo. He posts updates on his social media every round of his treatment.

Sitting down with Mr. Besser

Becca Green and Rohini Kieffer June 21, 2023

Social studies teacher Aaron Besser left on medical leave 3 months ago, yet when we met with him recently, he walked into room 205 with a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and his cheerful familiar presence.  Besser...

SUPRISING ST.ANDREWS - Francesca and Becca pose in front of the St. Andrew’s Lion. The duo was shocked by the culture and amenities of the institution.

Rival Reviews: St. Andrews

Francesca Purificato and Becca Green May 17, 2023

The vibes were made clear from the beginning at St. Andrew’s. We showed up in our typical Jackson-Reed attire - baggy jeans, tiny top, and sambas - and were met with stares from girls in their Love Shack...

Disability Student Alliance hopes to create a safe space for disabled students

Becca Green, Features Editor March 25, 2023

Formed in December 2022 the Disability Student Alliance (DSA) is “bringing those who are disabled and disability allies together,” said founder Edie Young.  “I have multiple disabilities and...

New contract to address teacher salaries

Becca Green, Features Editor March 10, 2023

The Washington Teacher’s Union (WTU) and DCPS reached an agreement on December 13 about a new contract. The contract outlines a 12 percent salary increase and retention bonus for teachers, social workers,...

Rival Reviews: National Cathedral School

Rival Reviews: National Cathedral School

Francesca Purificato and Becca Green January 24, 2023

Infamous for being the inspiration for Mean Girls, this edition, we visited the National Cathedral School.  NCS is an all girls middle/high school that shares its grounds with the National Cathedral,...

Rival Reviews: WIS

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato November 15, 2022

Continuing our journey around DC, we toured a private school that is different from the rest: Washington International School (WIS).  One must drive up a winding hill in order to reach WIS’s secluded...

HBCU fair promotes opportunities

HBCU fair promotes opportunities

Becca Green, Features Editor November 13, 2022

“The energy at an HBCU, I can’t really put into words, you have to find out for yourself,” said Diana Atenco-Gonzalez, a representative and recent graduate of University of District of Columbia (UDC).   On...

Arab Student Union celebrates Arab Heritage Month

Becca Green, Section Copy Editor May 2, 2022

“Habibi” (my love), “sahtain” (double blessing), “yalla” (let’s go), “shukran” (thank you), “istiqlal” (independence), and “Eid Milad” (birthday) are several of the Arabic words...

Q & A with COVID Facilitator Layla Gage

Becca Green May 1, 2022

In February, Jackson-Reed received a contact tracer to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Layla Gage partners with Shield T-3, the company in control of COVID-19 testing, to plan and coordinate the...

Covid-19 complicates college application process

Covid-19 complicates college application process

Becca Green December 28, 2020

Some students spend years doing extracurriculars, taking tests, and studying so that they can go to the college of their choice. Applying to college is no easy task and it has become even more complicated...

Gap years to firefighting: Wilson graduates choose varying paths after high school

Gap years to firefighting: Wilson graduates choose varying paths after high school

Becca Green October 27, 2020

Every person has unique passions and dreams in life. Most people believe that college is the best or only option for achieving those goals, but still, many seniors don’t take the time to entertain other...

Girls lacrosse handle budget cuts, regulations, and a cancelled season

Girls lacrosse handle budget cuts, regulations, and a cancelled season

Lila Chesser and Becca Green October 21, 2020

Despite facing Covid-19 and being excluded from Wilson’s sports lineup, the girl’s lacrosse team is determined to find ways to play this spring season. The girls hold unofficial captains’ practices...

Student-run fitness Instagrams help others stay fit during quarantine

Student-run fitness Instagrams help others stay fit during quarantine

Lila Chesser and Becca Green September 9, 2020

For many of us it has been difficult to get out of bed to exercise during quarantine, but these Wilson athletes are more motivated than ever. This look at three students with fitness accounts prove that...

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