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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

Eli Schwartz, Director of Art and Design

  • 2022-23: Senior Photo Editor
  • 2023-24: Assistant Director of Art and Design
  • 2024-25: Director of Art and Design
All content by Eli Schwartz
GIVING BACK - A can drive box sits at JR’s main entrance. The drive is one of many fundraisers planned by SGA, which aims to give back to the local community.

[Photo] SGA holds drives and fundraisers for charity

Devan Mehta, News Editor November 25, 2024

GIVING BACK - A can drive box sits at JR’s main entrance. The drive is one of many fundraisers planned by SGA, which aims to give back to the local community.

BROKEN IN - On Halloween night, the portable trailers were broken into. These doors were left unlocked.

[Photo] Portables breached on Halloween

Isadora Groves and Gil Leifman November 25, 2024

BROKEN IN - On Halloween night, the portable trailers were broken into. These doors were left unlocked.

CLUB FAIR - Students gather in the atrium to explore a wide array of student-run organizations. This year, clubs have faced new guidelines.

[Photo] Student organizations face stricter guidelines

Isadora Groves, Editor-in-Chief October 15, 2024

CLUB FAIR - Students gather in the atrium to explore a wide array of student-run organizations. This year, clubs have faced new guidelines.

LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES - JR phone policy leaves students responsible for monitoring their technology usage.

[Photo] Phone ban? Not here.

Isadora Groves and Rohini Kieffer October 15, 2024

LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES - JR phone policy leaves students responsible for monitoring their technology usage.

LOOKIN' SNAZZY - JR students gathered at the Hamilton Hotel on June 1 for one of their last few school sanctioned events.

[Photo] Prom fashion: do’s and don’ts

Sasha Pala and Maddie Nusbaum June 11, 2024

LOOKIN' SNAZZY - JR students gathered at the Hamilton Hotel on June 1 for one of their last few school sanctioned events.

2024 Spring Field Day

Eli Schwartz, Director of Art and Design May 31, 2024

Blaring music, food trucks, intense rounds of tug of war and hungry hippo, competitive roshambo, a teacher dunk tank, face painting, tattoos, and slime made for an afternoon of school spirit. Students...

ONE TEAM - The varsity baseball embrace after a March 21 win over the Landon School. Nearly two months later, the goal of a DCSAA title is near.

[Photo] Rain? No Problem. Varsity Baseball advances to DCSAA Semifinal in win over Sidwell Friends

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor May 16, 2024

EYES ON THE PRIZE - Junior center fielder Zander Leckszas looks ahead from the dugout on March 21 against the Landon School. Now, a battle tested Tigers team takes on Gonzaga this afternoon in the state...

REHEARSING IN STYLE - Adrian Belmonte strikes a pose with the Kit Kat Girls. The cast rehearses the musical “Cabaret” that is set to go on in late May.

[Photo] Willkommen! JR Theater brings ‘Cabaret’ to Black Box

Jacob Gagosian, Contributor May 3, 2024

REHEARSING IN STYLE - Adrian Belmonte strikes a pose with the Kit Kat Girls. The cast rehearses the musical “Cabaret” that is set to go on in late May.

CAUGHT COACHING- Kelliann Jenkins stands among members of the boys’ varsity baseball team during a game. Jenkins is the team’s new pitching coach.

[Photo] Breaking boundaries her way

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor May 3, 2024

CAUGHT COACHING- Kelliann Jenkins stands among members of the boys’ varsity baseball team during a game. Jenkins is the team’s new pitching coach.

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.

[Photo] Rival Reviews: Jackson-Reed

Becca Green and Francesca Purificato May 3, 2024

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.

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.

[Photo] Editors-in-Chief say farewell

Becca Green and Simon Holland May 3, 2024

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...

CULTURE NIGHT - Sophomore Yasmine Foty delivers the opening remarks at the ASU’s Palestinian Culture Night. Foty’s speech introduced the singing, dancing, and poetry readings that took place that evening.

[Photo] Arab Student Union hosts Palestinian culture night

Gil Leifman and Greta Bradley-Meal May 3, 2024

CULTURE NIGHT - Sophomore Yasmine Foty delivers the opening remarks at the ASU’s Palestinian Culture Night. Foty’s speech introduced the singing, dancing, and poetry readings that took place that evening.

BREAKING NEWS - A group dances at Palestinian culture night in the atrium hosted by the Arab Student Union. The event took place the night after the ASU filed a lawsuit against Principal Brown and the city.

[Photo] Arab Student Union accuses Brown, DC of censorship in new lawsuit

BREAKING NEWS - A group dances at Palestinian culture night in the atrium hosted by the Arab Student Union. The event took place the night after the ASU filed a lawsuit against Principal Brown and the...

ROAD TIGERS: The Tigers’ team photo in their win over Landon from Mar. 21. The team is 3-2 on the road this season.

[Photo] Early Spring Heat: Varsity Baseball’s early dominance

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor March 31, 2024

ALL BARREL: Junior third baseman Etan Rosario in an at-bat against Landon from Mar. 21.

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.

[Photo] Intramural basketball league strengthens community bonds

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor March 29, 2024

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.

TIGER PRIDE - Jackson-Reed students cheer on the boys' varsity basketball team at the DCSAA semifinals. This is an uncommon display of senior involvement in school activities this year.

[Photo] Seniors slacking on their engagement in class and clubs

Natalie Gordon, News Editor March 29, 2024

TIGER PRIDE - Jackson-Reed students cheer on the boys' varsity basketball team at the DCSAA semifinals. This is an uncommon display of senior involvement in school activities this year.

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.

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

Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor March 29, 2024

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.

JR union representative and teacher Rebecca Bradshaw-Smith rallies teachers at the March 8 demonstration. The Washington Teachers’ Union is pushing for an updated contract to provide teachers with better working conditions.

[Photo] Teachers walk out

TEACHERS UNITED - Jackson-Reed and Alice Deal teachers meet to protest for a new contract.

TIGER HOOPS: Senior guard Justin Gilmore attempting a layup in the DCSAA AA Semi Final against St. John’s at Georgetown University.

[Photo] Boys’ varsity basketball looks to rebound in National Tournament

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor March 26, 2024

TIGER HOOPS: Senior guard Justin Gilmore attempting a layup in the DCSAA AA Semi Final against St. John’s at Georgetown University.

BALL OUT - Senior guard Moxie Coleman-Miller takes the ball down the
court. The girls’ basketball team is headed to the playoffs.

[Photo] Lady Tigers look to carry momentum into playoffs

Alice Stillerman, Sports Editor February 13, 2024

SENIOR NIGHT HOOPS - Senior point guard #2 Kryslynn Stewart rising for a layup attempt against Coolidge High School on Feb 2. Also Pictured: Senior shooting guard #3 Gaby Eversley-Holland.

EASY LAY - Senior Lucas Sekasi goes for a layup in the Den. The team has had a roaring season, acquiring the title of #21 in the nation.

[Photo] Varsity boys’ basketball breaks ESPN’s Top 25

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor February 13, 2024

TIGER HOOPS - Junior small forward #11 JJ Massaquoi on-court against Coolidge High School on Feb. 2.

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.

[Photo] Visitor’s handgun confiscated at security

Rebecca Green and Edith Corrigan Conaty February 13, 2024

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.

ROGER THAT - Minoso Rodgers coaches the Tigers at home last season. The athletic department plans on starting a new chapter with the football team for the 2024-25 season.

[Photo] Football coach Minoso Rodgers let go after three seasons

Justin Glenn and Alice Stillerman February 1, 2024

ROGER THAT - Minoso Rodgers coaches the Tigers at home last season. The athletic department plans on starting a new chapter with the football team for the 2024-25 season.

TIGERS ON TV - The Jackson-Reed varsity basketball team now has a camera crew following them around for a documentary.

[Photo] From Tigers to movie stars

Justin Glenn, Sports Editor December 18, 2023

GAMETIME TIP-OFF: Junior small forward #2 Jayden Fort jumps at center court against Archbishop Ryan on Dec. 8. Also Pictured: #11 junior small forward J.J. Massaquoi

POM POMS UP - Jackson-Reed’s cheer team brings spirit to the field. Off the field, JR supporters can
now follow two different instagrams: @jacksonreedathletics and @jacksonreedboosters.

[Photo] Jackson-Reed Athletics Instagram becomes @jacksonreedboosters

Ava Serafino, Opinions Editor October 11, 2023

POM POMS UP - Jackson-Reed’s cheer team brings spirit to the field. Off the field, JR supporters can now follow two different instagrams: @jacksonreedathletics and @jacksonreedboosters.

SMILING STAFF - Above is Porshia Ojigbo posing candidly for the camera. She has joined the JR staff this year.

[Photo] New additions to administration hope to better the Jackson-Reed community

Javier Thompson and Henley Kaminskas October 12, 2023

SMILING STAFF - Above is Porshia Ojigbo posing candidly for the camera. She has joined the JR staff this year.

A FIGHT FOR THE FIELD - Jackson-Reed’s only field sits unused for the majority of the school
day despite it being highly sought after before and after school.

[Photo] Athletic department revamps field-scheduling process

Alice Stillerman, Sports Editor October 12, 2023

A FIGHT FOR THE FIELD - Jackson-Reed’s only field sits unused for the majority of the school day despite it being highly sought after before and after school.

DRAMA JUMPS - Actors
Paulina Stewart-Aday and
Giacomo Ban-Goodrich
rehearse a dance battle for the fall play.

[Photo] Theater shows highlight banned LGBTQ+ stories

Ben Holland, Section Copy Editor October 12, 2023

DRAMA JUMPS - Actors Paulina Stewart-Aday and Giacomo Ban-Goodrich rehearse a dance battle for the fall play.

Another wall containing students’ photography.

[Photo] Jackson-Reed Photography Club has work displayed in the Phillips Collection

Simon Holland, Editor-in-Chief July 15, 2023

Another wall containing students’ photography.

January Spread

January Spread

Click here to read!

Beacon Throwback: Overcrowding Edition

Dani Wallace and Eli Schwartz January 30, 2023

In 1935, the Beacon began as a passion project of news and gossip relating to Woodrow Wilson High School. Since then, the community has seen 87 years of culture and history written down onto a detailed...

Mr. Thompson eli schwartz (2)

[Photo] Mr. Thompson is Jackson-Reed’s tech guru

Daniel Marks, Senior Layout Editor November 15, 2022

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