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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

Edith Corrigan Conaty

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor

All content by Edith Corrigan Conaty
UPDATED SECURITY - A student places her computer through an x-ray machine upon entering JR. A new
security policy requires students to take their computers out of their bags.

New security policy causes delays

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor November 25, 2024

On the morning of November 12, as school started, a long line of students formed at Jackson-Reed’s main entrance due to a new security policy. For the time being, students must take their laptops out...

SMILING ON STAGE - Edie Young walks off stage after speaking at the Women's March on November 2nd. In her speech, Young discusses topics such as abortion rights and trans rights.

“We Won’t Go Back”: JR senior Edie Young speaks at the Women’s March 

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor November 11, 2024

A crowd roared with cheers and applause after senior Edie Young said “We aren’t just here to be controlled like objects—we are human and we are here to make a difference” at the Women’s March...

SAFETY CONCERNS - Students go through security at the JR main entrance. The beginning of SY24-25 had multiple security incidents.

Security threats alarm community

Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman October 15, 2024

Jackson-Reed has faced several security incidents since the beginning of the school year, including the confiscation of a handgun from a student’s backpack, an outside threat of violence, and a general...

Auditorium awaits completed repairs

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor October 15, 2024

In October 2023, $550,000 in funds were granted to repair the broken auditorium, but repairs have yet to be completed.  The ineffective auditorium has placed restrictions on theater productions since...

Student’s handgun confiscated at security during school hours

Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman September 21, 2024

On Wednesday, September 18 in the afternoon, a Jackson-Reed student’s handgun was confiscated by security and did not make it into the building. The gun was in the student’s bag as they tried to enter...

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS - The Jackson-Reed Mental Health Department organized a fair in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, with various informational activities.

Mental health fair raises awareness

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor June 11, 2024

On May 29, the Jackson-Reed School Wellness team hosted a fair in the atrium at lunch in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. There were information tables, posters, activities, and resources available...

Honors precalculus eliminated from DCPS curriculum

Honors precalculus eliminated from DCPS curriculum

Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman June 11, 2024

This spring, DCPS announced their decision to eliminate the honors precalculus course. This has left individual high schools with the decision to offer either on-level or AP Precalculus (APPC) — a new...

Changes in school budget force 30 staff cuts

Despite a budget increase, Jackson-Reed is cutting more than 30 staff positions next school year. Reductions include eight full-time teachers, social-emotional and classroom support, administrative officers,...

PLAYING UNDER PRESSURE - Senior Jackson Kletter prepares to take a shot at the students versus staff basketball game. The Pig Devils, who won the student intramural tournament, fell short against the staff.

Intramural basketball league strengthens community bonds

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor March 29, 2024

Tensions rise. The crowd stands up. Nervous glances are exchanged in the bleachers until the final whistle blows, students flood the court, and it’s the Pig Devils for the win! This year, the Jackson-Reed...

AMAZING AVANT-GARDE - Junior Zaila Avant-garde
transferred to JR at the end of semester one. In 2021, she won the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Spelling history on and off the court: Zaila Avant-garde

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor March 29, 2024

Internationally acclaimed junior Zaila Avant-garde transferred to Jackson-Reed at the end of the first semester. Pushing the limits in both notoriety and achievement, Avant-garde is the author of three...

SAFETY FIRST - A sign in front of JR reminds the community that DC prohibits bringing guns into public
schools. This policy was implemented to ensure student safety.

Visitor’s handgun confiscated at security

Rebecca Green and Edith Corrigan Conaty February 13, 2024

Questions concerning communication throughout the building have come to light after an expected visitor attempted to bring a handgun into the building on Monday, January 8. The visitor who brought the...

Dual enrollment: two approaches

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor February 13, 2024

Signing up for collegiate schoolwork and courseloads as a high schooler may be considered extreme, but some motivated students have pushed themselves to take on the challenge.  Dania Abdalla and Anna...

FAQ’s with Mr. Collins and Ms. Maites

Ava Serafino and Edith Corrigan Conaty February 13, 2024

With many students left unknowledgeable regarding dual enrollment, we asked Patrice Maites and Bobby Collins, the 11th-grade counselors, our burning questions. What grades can enroll? M: 9-12. ...

12 Angry Jurors is bringing a tense legal drama to Jackson-Reed

Edith Corrigan-Conaty, Spread Editor February 1, 2024

Planning tirelessly since the summer, the Jackson-Reed Players have worked hard to bring Reginald Rose’s “12 Angry Jurors” to the Black Box Theater this winter. The cast, crew, and outside hire,...

EMPTY AUDITORIUM - The auditorium sits empty due to various technical issues. Funds to fix the auditorium have been allocated, but repairs have yet to start.

Theater community awaits auditorium repairs

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor December 18, 2023

On October 1, $550,000 in funds to repair the broken auditorium were allocated to the DCPS budget by the DC City Council. Although these funds have now been available for over two months, repairs have...

Visiting colleges offer on-site admissions to students

Visiting colleges offer on-site admissions to students

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor November 21, 2023

Multiple colleges have come to Jackson-Reed to offer on-site admissions to seniors. On Wednesday, November 9th, 7 seniors were offered on-site admissions at the Trinity Washington University college visit....

GOOTMAN’S GLORY - Senior Kinzly Gootman committed to Case Western Reserve University over the summer. Gootman is a co-captain of the JR girl’s varsity soccer team and plans to go pre-med at Case.

Tiger to Spartan: Kinzly Gootman on committing to Case Western Reserve

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor November 21, 2023

The sound of an alarm goes off at 6 AM and Kinzly Gootman is out the door, leading warm-ups for the Jackson-Reed Girls Varsity soccer team. Gootman, a senior at JR and co-captain of the girl's soccer team,...

JR brings in new staff

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor October 11, 2023

This year, 82 of the 86 SY24 staff positions were filled after Jackson-Reed was granted 28.9 million dollars from the DCPS budget.  Last year’s teacher shortage left many classrooms without permanent...

100 word rants: Grammys, ticket sales, google games

The Grammys have been running for almost seven decades and still have 12.4 million viewers. They clearly need to cater to as many audiences as possible—but this year, very few viewers were left satisfied....

Local Business Feature: Femme Fatale

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor March 10, 2023

When walking towards Femme Fatale, it’s hard to miss. Its vibrant storefront in Cleveland Park welcomes you in with its painted window and colorful signage. Selling clothes to candles, posters to pottery,...

Bollinger’s keeping it hot: get to know Jackson-Reed’s tea club 

Edith Corrigan Conaty and Maya Roskes January 24, 2023

When your mug full of hot tea gets taken by security in the morning and you’re left with nothing to wake you up, Jackson-Reed’s new Tea Club has your back. Every Tuesday, about 20 students gather in...

The face behind the mascot

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor October 16, 2022

  At many Jackson-Reed sports games, one of the first things that students notice is the large orange and white mascot cheering on the team. At first glance, only the fluffy suit may appear, but...

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