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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

Natalie Gordon

Natalie Gordon, News Editor

Natalie joined the Beacon because she may or may not want to be Rory Gilmore. When she’s not at soccer practice literally every second of every day you can find her hanging with her identical twin sister or playing with her dog Jonesy who is definitely not just another crusty white dog. Her greatest pride comes from her column with professional athletes called Tiger Talk (shameless plug).

  • 2020-2021: Junior Editor
  • 2021-2022: Junior Sports Editor
  • 2022-23: Sports Editor
  • 2023-24: News Editor
All content by Natalie Gordon
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.

Seniors slacking on their engagement in class and clubs

Natalie Gordon, News Editor March 29, 2024

The four-year anniversary of the start of COVID-19 is now in the rearview mirror and some teachers believe the class of 2024 has not fully recovered. This is prevalent in both their engagement in academics...

Israeli students report feeling isolated, seek to form safe space

Natalie Gordon and Isadora Groves March 29, 2024

A group of students seeking to promote Israeli culture and discuss the Israel-Gaza War said they have felt uncomfortable and isolated at Jackson-Reed after the attacks on October 7. The students attempted...

ON THE MARKET - Former Intelsat building sits empty on Connecticut Avenue. Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin several ideas of how to utilize the space.

Proposal calls for moving MacArthur HS to Van Ness

Natalie Gordon and Rohini Kieffer November 21, 2023

On October 10, Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin announced a proposal to purchase the former Intelsat Headquarters, which is located at 4000 Connecticut Avenue NW, is currently on the market. Frumin’s...

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...

Duncan Stadler becomes an all-American wrestler

Natalie Gordon, News Editor July 20, 2023

Attention Jackson-Reed Tigers, we have an all-American wrestler among us!  On the weekend of May 6th fellow tiger and junior Duncan Stadler competed in the mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA)...

BLASPHEMOUS BATHROOMS - Bathrooms throughout Jackson-Reed flooded due to a blockage within the city's sewage system. Improper use of products such as toilet paper have been left on the floors.

Flooding pushes for bathroom repairs

Natalie Gordon and Isadora Groves June 21, 2023

Despite recent improvements to Jackson-Reed bathrooms, a blockage of the main city sewage pipeline led to flooding throughout areas of the building.  On Friday, May 12, flooding occurred in the first...

Tiger Talk! Q&A with Ted Ku-DiPietro

Natalie Gordon, News Editor May 21, 2023

Q. What would you say to your high school self if they could see you right now? A. I would say to enjoy the moments of being a kid because it doesn’t last as long as you think and things get very...

Tigers look to extend their three decade dominance

Zach Isaacs, Natalie Gordon, and Justin Glenn May 17, 2023

The Jackson-Reed baseball team is aiming for its 30th consecutive city championship this season. On top of winning every DCIAA title since 1993, the team hasn't lost a single DCIAA game since 1999.  While...

New budget opens new opportunities

Natalie Gordon, News Editor May 12, 2023

Jackson-Reed has received additional funding for the 2023-24 school year to keep up with the growing student body, which will be used in part to hire new staff members. Positions being added include teachers,...

Low water pressure prompts bathroom closures

A plumbing issue left all toilets in the main building and portable trailers unusable. Jackson-Reed students and staff remained in school throughout the dysfunction.  A blockage in the water filtration...

Varsity Girls Basketball welcomes two freshmen to the starting lineup

Natalie Gordon, News Editor March 10, 2023

It’s not typical for varsity freshmen to be in a starting lineup, but on the Jackson-Reed girls basketball team, there are two starting freshmen. While the lineup isn’t necessarily set in stone, what...

NWSL has a history of misconduct by coaches

Natalie Gordon, News Editor November 15, 2022

On October 3rd, a long awaited report and investigation into abuse within the National Women’s Soccer League was published. The report was a devastating read, but what was even more devastating was the...

Tiger Talk! Q&A with Connor McMichael

Natalie Gordon, News Editor November 15, 2022

This month’s athlete is Connor McMichael. McMichael is a professional hockey player for DC’s very own Washington Capitals. McMichael is a center, and was selected as the 25th pick overall in the first...

QB Dockery is changing the game for JR football

Zach Isaacs and Natalie Gordon November 12, 2022

Going into his junior year Rob Dockery had no intention of playing football. He had only one thing on his mind for his athletic year: making up for the last minute loss against Sidwell Friends in the DCSAA...

Crew coach fired over online comments

Lila Chesser and Natalie Gordon October 17, 2022

Long-term Jackson-Reed boys head crew coach Joe McMullin’s contract was discontinued. During the summer following the boys 2022 crew season, McMullin made a comment on an Instagram post about a young...

Behind the lens: Jackson-Reed’s sports photographers

Behind the lens: Jackson-Reed’s sports photographers

Natalie Gordon, News Editor March 30, 2022

The energy in the stadium of a Jackson-Reed sports game is unmatched: screaming fans, sweaty athletes, and exuberant Tiger Pride. Students Jack Freed and Tariq Ali, sports photographers for Jackson-Reed’s...

Seven Tigers selected for DCSAA All-State teams

Natalie Gordon, News Editor February 27, 2022

This year's fall DCSAA All-State team is filled with Tigers. Six student-athletes and one coach were recognized for their efforts.  In addition to being selected for the All-State team, senior and...

Athlete of the Month: Dakota Inniss

Athlete of the Month: Dakota Inniss

Addison Childre and Natalie Gordon February 27, 2022

A true leader from the second she stepped on the court, Dakota Inniss shines as one of only two seniors on the girls varsity basketball team.  “I think I’ve done a great job from where I started...

Boys basketball opens season undefeated

Boys basketball opens season undefeated

Natalie Gordon, News Editor December 17, 2021

Basketball season has finally returned and with it comes packed gyms, jaw-dropping dunks, and the potential to win the championship.  Wilson Tigers have already gotten off to a great start to the season,...

The NWSL is in the news, but for all the wrong reasons

The NWSL is in the news, but for all the wrong reasons

Natalie Gordon and Sophia Hosford November 8, 2021

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has finally caught the attention of national news outlets. But it’s not for the action taking place on the field, instead it’s allegations of sexual coercion,...

Wilson rolls out asymptomatic testing program

Wilson rolls out asymptomatic testing program

Natalie Gordon, News Editor October 1, 2021

Every week, 10 percent of the Wilson student population is randomly selected for a DCPS-wide asymptomatic testing program for COVID-19. The program aims to accomplish DCPS’s goal of screening for...

This year’s Wizards season left fans with mixed emotions

This year’s Wizards season left fans with mixed emotions

Natalie Gordon, News Editor June 21, 2021

 This season has left Wizards fans with things to both smile and cry about. There’s the team’s terrible defense and Scott Brooks’s subbing methods that leave all Wizard fans perplexed. But who could...

MLS drafts Wilson alumni twins

MLS drafts Wilson alumni twins

Natalie Gordon, News Editor March 18, 2021

Every athlete dreams of going pro, but for the Di Rosa twins, that dream came true. Wilson alumni Matt and Ben Di Rosa were each selected in January's Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft.  Matt was...

Wilson’s myriad of mental health services

Wilson’s myriad of mental health services

Natalie Gordon and Hannah Lahey March 3, 2021

Between virtual classes, piles of homework, and limited social interaction, high school in a pandemic sucks, and struggling with mental health alone can be daunting. Wilson has a lot of mental health resources...

We need snow days, even at home

We need snow days, even at home

Natalie Gordon and Hannah Lahey January 22, 2021

We need snow days this year because nowadays it seems as though there isn’t much to be happy about. From the news of the pandemic to the piles of homework assigned, happiness is rare. But when you can...

Microsoft Notebook: the horrible platform nobody asked for

Microsoft Notebook: the horrible platform nobody asked for

Natalie Gordon, News Editor December 12, 2020

The distinguished Jon Bon Jovi once said, “Map out your future—but do it in pencil.” Learning, however, no longer involves a pencil. Instead, we learn on the internet. There are all sorts of apps...

Some faculty have chosen to return to working from inside the Wilson building

Some faculty have chosen to return to working from inside the Wilson building

Natalie Gordon and Hannah Lahey October 29, 2020

Picture this—a teacher at the front of the class typing fervently on their computer. Beyond them, a sea of empty desks. Although the inside of the school building was somewhat of a ghost town last spring,...

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