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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

Henley Kaminskas

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor

All content by Henley Kaminskas

To work or not to work? That is the question

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor November 25, 2024

High school students tend to carry a lot of weight by looking for various extracurriculars to get involved in. While sports and clubs are the more popular and well-known activities to practice one’s...

The TikTok ban wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor May 3, 2024

According to a recent vote in the House of Representatives, TikTok, a popular video app, must either be sold or banned in America due to concerns about the safety of user information. When you look at...

Celebrating Women’s History Month!

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor April 15, 2024

Now that it is March, it is officially Women’s History Month! Women’s History Month is a dedicated time to celebrate the women from the past. It is with their achievements and dedication that women’s...

ROX club seeks to uplift girls at JR

ROX club seeks to uplift girls at JR

Henley Kaminskas and Alice Patterson March 29, 2024

As of this year, JR is home to the first DC chapter of the nationwide organization, Ruling Our Experiences (ROX). The club’s mission is to create generations of confident girls who control their own...

Gag or Drag? Pink Friday 2

Henley Kaminskas and Javier Thompson February 13, 2024

Rating: an easy 10/10 Two words could describe Nicki Minaj’s new album Pink Friday 2. Gag. City.  If you are unfamiliar with the paradise, the metropolis, and the 8th wonder of the world known...

A relaxed dress code promotes self-expression

A relaxed dress code promotes self-expression

Henley Kaminskas and Maddie Nusbaum February 13, 2024

At Jackson-Reed, most students understand that dress codes are unconventional. Students have the opportunity to arrive at school in any clothing of their choice, allowing them to display their unique personalities...

One year later: more on Jackson-Reed’s name change

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor January 24, 2024

It has officially been one year since the name of our school transitioned from Woodrow Wilson High School to Jackson-Reed High School. Underclassmen know the school as JR, but upperclassmen still cling...

We tried Jackson-Reed squash

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor November 29, 2023

With a sister who played squash but never really found interest in the sport, I had equipment lying around my house. Although lacking experience, I would practice with my dad occasionally, enjoying it,...

Fight between Dunbar and JR students incites police response

Gil Leifman, Henley Kaminskas, and Javier Thompson November 1, 2023

On October 13, a large altercation occurred in Tenleytown between students of Dunbar High School and Jackson-Reed, inciting a heavy police response. This event happened after the Jackson-Reed vs. Dunbar...

New additions to administration hope to better the Jackson-Reed community

Javier Thompson and Henley Kaminskas October 12, 2023

As the new school year kicks off, you may have noticed unfamiliar faces in the halls- and we’re not just referring to the freshmen class, but the administrators telling them where to go.   The...

Bread Furst will sweeten your summer

Henley Kaminskas, Features Editor July 27, 2023

Walking into Bread Furst on Connecticut Ave, you are instantly hit with the smell of bread, ranging from baguette, to wheat, to sourdough. Entering the bakery from the back, customers lay eyes upon the...

Scan to listen!

Spectacular spring playlist

The long awaited moment is here…spring! A way to help appreciate this nice weather is listening to our spring playlist that we think captures the perfect spring day. This playlist is perfect to listen...

Valentine’s day bash or crash?

Javier Thompson and Henley Kaminskas April 13, 2023

Quick poll: who here bought a ticket to the Valentine’s Day Bash? We asked 100 students in the Atrium this question during STEP. Out of all 100 students, only one had purchased a ticket, and they claimed...

December Spread

December Spread

Click here to read! Graphic design and photography by Eli Schwartz, Maisie Derlega, Charlotte Comrack, Glen E. Friedman at Discord Records-Fugazi Live Series

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