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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

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief

Even though she is not 100% positive how to spell cheif [sic], Hadley is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Beacon. When she’s not playing hide and seek with the Jackson-Reed administrators (they’re most hiding and she’s mostly seeking), you can find her hiding and seeking through the three trash bags of her grandmother’s clothing that she is still trying to find a way to style #fashionicon #hideandseek. 

All content by Hadley Carr

A farewell from the chiefs

Hadley Carr and Benjamin Chait May 12, 2023

It’s that time of year. When seniors ditch responsibility and say their farewell. Without further ado: We want to say thank you to everyone who has made this process possible. To Beacon staff, to...

Photo by Mia Clocker

I joined the cheerleading team for a day

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 25, 2023

On the dim and gloomy Friday that I set out to try cheer, I had no cheer. Zero cheer. Straight-faced and slow paced, I walked into the gym. As I walked through the empty building on professional development...

Controversies arise as high schoolers turn to AI for cheating

Hadley Carr and Benjamin Chait March 23, 2023

The room was quiet, except for the sound of rustling papers and the furious scribbling of pencils. These conditions are typical of AP-style essay exams, which demand total silence and are written exclusively...

I tried crew for a week

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 10, 2023

In the span of seven days I met an Ivy League coach, contracted a mysterious illness, and lost the ability to put weight on my left arm. All were a product of joining the girls varsity crew team. On...

PA system fails two months after emergency lockdown

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 10, 2023

Jackson-Reed’s Public Announcement (PA) system failed in a lockdown drill on January 20, despite repairs that were made following the emergency lockdown in November when shots were fired outside the...

College Board updates framework for AP African American Studies

Benjamin Chait, Hadley Carr, and Simon Holland March 10, 2023

College Board released an updated framework for the new AP African American Studies course on February 1. Jackson-Reed is one of 60 schools across the U.S. currently running the pilot version of the program.  The...

Fairly Odd Advice

Fairly Odd Advice

Benjamin Chait and Hadley Carr January 30, 2023

Q: There’s an alien in my kitchen! HELP! A: We appreciate that you took the time to check our Instagram story amidst a potential universe-altering event. Funnily enough, one of us had the exact same...

A deep dive into wrestling at Jackson-Reed 

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2023

I was already late. Never did I imagine I would be participating in wrestling practice, but there I was. Late. And at wrestling practice. If you’ve been in the building anytime after 4:00 p.m. during...

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...

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...

New principal, new plans

Hadley Carr and Riley Hawkinson October 5, 2022

As the new Jackson-Reed principal Sah Brown says he has three main objectives: build trust, ensure student safety, and uplift the academic environment.  “We're working hard to build a unified school,”...

Sah Brown to be Jackson-Reed principal

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief June 24, 2022

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

Q&A with Sah Brown

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief June 24, 2022

Q: What are you most excited about at Jackson-Reed? A: I'm most excited about getting to know the students at Jackson-Reed and working with such a large group of young people. I've always been intrigued...

Classroom incident highlights deep divisions at Jackson-Reed

Benjamin Chait and Hadley Carr June 24, 2022

A recent classroom dispute between a student and a teacher widens deep divisions within the Jackson-Reed community. Students and staff disagree over who is at fault, the consequences, and how the community...

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...

DCPS lifts mask mandate

DCPS lifts mask mandate

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 30, 2022

Beginning March 16, DCPS students are no longer required to wear masks indoors. The decision aligns with an update to DC Health Guidelines for educational facilities.  “​​I recognize that this...

Goodbye Wilson, Hello Jackson-Reed

Goodbye Wilson, Hello Jackson-Reed

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 30, 2022

Wilson High School is officially renamed Jackson-Reed High School. After years of debates, forums, and protests, the community’s efforts culminated in the name change bill going into effect on March...

Goodbye Wilson, Hello Jackson-Reed

Goodbye Wilson, Hello Jackson-Reed

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 17, 2022

Wilson High School is officially renamed Jackson-Reed High School. After years of debates, forums, and protests, the community’s efforts culminated in the name change bill going to effect on March 15. Following...

COVID restrictions lessened as students return from February break

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 6, 2022

As cases decrease across DCPS, Chancellor Lewis Ferebee reduced COVID restrictions within schools.  Students, staff, and visitors will no longer be required to wear a mask outdoors. Additionally, there...

COVID-19 surge causes staffing shortage

COVID-19 surge causes staffing shortage

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief February 23, 2022

Prior to winter break, Wilson experienced a large staff shortage due to an increase in positive cases of COVID-19.  According to Assistant of Strategy and Logistics Cynthia McFarlin, the rapid testing...

Additional incidents of hate speech reported to administration

Additional incidents of hate speech reported to administration

Joanna Chait and Hadley Carr February 9, 2022

For the fourth time in two months, racist and antisemitic graffiti was drawn in a Wilson bathroom. The latest hate speech was discovered in the second-floor men’s bathroom on January 27—a few days...

DC Council approves Jackson-Reed in final name change vote

DC Council approves Jackson-Reed in final name change vote

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 21, 2021

DC Council voted 11-1 in the final vote needed to rename Woodrow Wilson High School to Jackson-Reed High School, in honor of two pioneering Black educators.  The legislation will be sent to Mayor Muriel...

Community receives delayed notification of COVID cases amidst Omicron wave

Community receives delayed notification of COVID cases amidst Omicron wave

Hadley Carr, Sophia Ibrahim, and Joanna Chait December 20, 2021

Wilson will be closed for virtual instruction on Wednesday, December 22.  In the past week, over 50 Wilson students have tested positive for COVID-19, however, the school community has only been notified...

DC Council to hold final vote on Wilson name change

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 20, 2021

Tomorrow, The DC Council will hold the final vote needed to rename Woodrow Wilson High School to Jackson-Reed High School, in honor of two pioneering Black educators. However, a movement to name the school...

Council votes in favor of Jackson-Reed

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 17, 2021

After years of community debate, the DC Council this month voted to rename Wilson “Jackson-Reed High School.” The name honors two pioneering Black educators at Wilson: Edna B. Jackson, the first Black...

Emergency legislation introduced to mandate DCPS student vaccination

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief November 14, 2021

A bill was introduced to the DC Council on October 4, requiring all eligible students to be fully vaccinated by December 15. The legislation allows students to apply for religious or medical exemption.  The...

Climbing team reaches new heights

Climbing team reaches new heights

Hadley Carr and Margot Nissen November 8, 2021

 “It was literally three dudes,” said senior Gabe Loscalzo.  Loscalzo is one of the leaders of Wilson’s climbing club, along with fellow senior Kai Christie. The two first joined the club when...

Legislation overturns Mayor’s suggestion of August Wilson

Joanna Chait, Hadley Carr, and Ellen Carrier November 6, 2021

In an unexpected reversal, the DC Council last month rejected the city’s recommendation of August Wilson for the new name of Woodrow Wilson High School. Instead, it proposed naming the school for two...

photo by Joanna Chait

Jackson Reed proposal overturns “August Wilson”

Joanna Chait, Ellen Carrier, and Hadley Carr November 4, 2021

In an unexpected reversal, the DC Council last month rejected the city’s recommendation of August Wilson for the new name of Woodrow Wilson High School. Instead, it proposed naming the school for two...

DC Council proposes Jackson Reed High School

DC Council proposes Jackson Reed High School

Joanna Chait, Ellen Carrier, and Hadley Carr October 18, 2021

DC council members proposed to rename Wilson for Edna B. Jackson and Vincent Reed Monday evening, effectively repealing the Chancellor’s proposal to name the school after playwright August Wilson.  Jackson...

Council to hold public hearing on name change bill

Council to hold public hearing on name change bill

Joanna Chait and Hadley Carr October 6, 2021

The DC Council will hold a virtual public hearing Wednesday, October 6, regarding Bill B24-0286, which would change the name of the school to August Wilson High School.  As an addition to their petition...

Enrollment in AP classes and tests drop in 2020

Enrollment in AP classes and tests drop in 2020

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief October 1, 2021

The number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes—especially students of color—has sharply declined in 2020 from an all-time high in 2019.  Until the past two years, AP enrollment...

Wilson to receive a new librarian following amendment to DCPS budget

Wilson to receive a new librarian following amendment to DCPS budget

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief September 13, 2021

The DC Council approved an amendment in the fiscal year budget to fund the employment of full-time librarians at all DC Public Schools.  Prior to this amendment, which was approved on August 3, Wilson...

Wilson’s entrances through the ages

Wilson’s entrances through the ages

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief June 14, 2021

Every Wilson Tiger has the glass entryway ingrained into their mind. The broken metal detectors and bustling lines are a quintessential Wilson experience. But if you were to talk to an alum from before...

Rummaging through relics

Rummaging through relics

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief May 24, 2021

Hello readers! In this inaugural edition of Rummaging through Relics we take a look at a hidden treasure found in Wilson’s archives: the meticulous scrapbook of a senior during the 1936-1937 school year.   Susan...

All students to return in-person in August

All students to return in-person in August

Hadley Carr and Leah Carrier May 9, 2021

All DCPS students are expected to return to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. “[DCPS] schools will continue to implement a system of layered protections to ensure we are able to safely...

Athlete to educator: teachers reflect on collegiate years

Athlete to educator: teachers reflect on collegiate years

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief April 26, 2021

From NCAA running championships to US Soccer tours with Abby Wambach, Wilson teachers are more athletic than you think. For some teachers, education wasn’t always their aspiration. Since she was a...

SAC advocates for quality of learning in DCPS high schools

SAC advocates for quality of learning in DCPS high schools

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief April 25, 2021

The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) has continued to meet virtually this year to address the mental health and educational concerns created by the online learning environment.  Founded by former state...

PARCC test postponed for the second year in a row

PARCC test postponed for the second year in a row

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief April 21, 2021

For the second year in the row, PARCC testing has been cancelled for DCPS Students. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) requested a one-year waiver to the annual testing requirements....

Students combat lack of diversity in STEM classes

Students combat lack of diversity in STEM classes

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 24, 2021

When Esther Kpognon logged into her Computer Science Essentials class for the first time, she quickly noticed that the faces staring back at her were all male.  Kpognon is one of 23 females out of...

COVID-19 takes its toll on teachers

COVID-19 takes its toll on teachers

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief February 26, 2021

Restless nights and overwhelming anxiety have afflicted teachers since the start of the pandemic.  The uncertainty of COVID-19, in-person learning, and teaching behind a screen make Rebecca Bradshaw-Smith...

No students, no problem: custodians repair an empty Wilson

No students, no problem: custodians repair an empty Wilson

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief February 2, 2021

In February last year, you may have seen the walls of the library expanded and painted red in celebration of Winston Salem State University. Its entrance was transformed into a museum bursting with information...

Teachers foster discussions to process Capitol insurgency

Teachers foster discussions to process Capitol insurgency

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief January 26, 2021

At 12:15 PM on Wednesday, January 6, President Trump called for a march on the Capitol. At 12:49 PM, bomb threats were reported on the National Mall. At 2:11 PM, rioters broke in on the West side of the...

Celebrating in a pandemic: clubs adapt to virtual activities for the holidays

Celebrating in a pandemic: clubs adapt to virtual activities for the holidays

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief January 17, 2021

T’was the month before winter break when all through the Zoom, clubs were stirring, accepting their members from the waiting room. They had met weekly and planned with care, but few planned for the holidays...

Thank you bagels: a love letter to the hole-y food

Thank you bagels: a love letter to the hole-y food

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 9, 2020

Dearest Bagels of the World,   Before I begin this ode to your greatness, I must first offer you a disclaimer as to not harm your hole-y feelings. I only have involved myself with the likes...

Patrick Corbett hired as new head coach for girls varsity soccer

Patrick Corbett hired as new head coach for girls varsity soccer

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 3, 2020

At the beginning of the school year, the girls varsity soccer team had no coach, no competition, no practice, and no regular season—their fall season and practice was postponed to February 14. The team...

The best backgrounds...that aren’t your LED lights

The best backgrounds…that aren’t your LED lights

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief November 22, 2020

Does your bedroom look like a tornado hit it? Followed by a nerf gun war? Invaded by snacks and enemy wrappers left lying on the battlefield? Like it’s been flipped upside down and inside out? Folded...

Wilson students create Homebase initiative to bridge connectivity gap

Wilson students create Homebase initiative to bridge connectivity gap

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief October 21, 2020

The Wilson Peer Mediators and Student Government Association (SGA) have established the program Home Base which offers 15-minute meetings during asynchronous time on Wednesdays. Homebase aims to bridge...

DC high school students offered the opportunity to serve as election workers

DC high school students offered the opportunity to serve as election workers

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief October 9, 2020

Short on workers for the upcoming election, the DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) is offering high school students community service hours or a stipend to serve as an Election Day worker. Students may apply...

Wilson clubs offer virtual options during COVID-19

Wilson clubs offer virtual options during COVID-19

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief September 18, 2020

When STEP becomes lunch with your family, and before school evolves into more time to sleep in, there’s not much time, or motivation, for clubs to meet. Fortunately, clubs at Wilson such as the Jewish...

Why Wilson: a deluge of distance learning platforms

Why Wilson: a deluge of distance learning platforms

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief June 14, 2020

Welcome to the age of Distance Learning and the Coronavirus. In case you’re a future human, post-quarantine, grudgingly dragging your feet to a tangible Woodrow Wilson High School, let me set a scene...

Women warriors: students reflect on Women's History Month

Women warriors: students reflect on Women’s History Month

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief March 31, 2020

March is well known as the month of March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, and recently, the start of the coronavirus closure. But perhaps one of the most important and least-celebrated events of March is...

Coding, climate change, and ukuleles: Facebook hosts Wilson Hackathon

Coding, climate change, and ukuleles: Facebook hosts Wilson Hackathon

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief February 3, 2020

With seven hours left on the clock, you and your team are left with a daunting task: come up with a solution to climate change through code. So it’s off to the drawing boards. What code will emerge from...

Maureen Thompson reflects on a career in Guyana and the lottery that got her here

Maureen Thompson reflects on a career in Guyana and the lottery that got her here

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief January 30, 2020

When most people enter lotteries, they are frequently met with disappointment. But over twenty years ago, Wilson Special Education teacher Maureen Thompson lucked out. Thompson’s prize, called a Diversity...

Club traditions bring joy to holiday season

Club traditions bring joy to holiday season

Hadley Carr, Editor-in-Chief December 20, 2019

While the second advisory at Wilson is often associated with loss of school, consequent grade decline, and looming midterms, it is also marked by the abundance of holidays filling up the DCPS calendar....

Is survival possible for the newest Tenleytown stores?

Is survival possible for the newest Tenleytown stores?

Hadley Carr and Rigby Zentner November 19, 2019

Tenleytown has long been the center of activity for students at Wilson. So with many stores going out of business, their replacements are held to higher expectations. Wawa recently filled the place of...

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