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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

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff

Norah is just a superb human being. She plays soccer and writes for the Beacon and honestly, that’s kind of it. And she really loves High School Musical, like really. When she’s not doing any of those things she is hanging out with her friends because she is too scared to be alone with her thoughts.

  • 2023-24: Sports Editor
All content by Norah Caplan

JR Survival Guide

Norah Caplan and Josephine Caplan June 11, 2024

Dear underclassmen, As AP season comes to a close and summer is finally here, we have some thoughts. As two juniors who have seen it all, we’re here to help you uncover the do’s and don'ts of Jackson-Reed. 1....

Pro-Palestine protests upend culture night

Jackson-Reed’s culture night ended in turmoil after a small group of pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the annual event, which was meant to highlight student cultural diversity. The protesters—including...

100 word rants: Calculator, samples, chill out

Norah Caplan, Lily Carr, and Adler Amolsch May 3, 2024

Calculator I don’t understand why we have to solve math problems by hand. When am I ever going to be on a deserted island without a calculator needing to solve a math problem? Just let me use the freaking...

Extracurriculars can enhance college applications

Norah Caplan and Arden Luckett March 4, 2024

As college decisions continue to roll in, the stress of creating a perfect college resume is all-consuming. Students look from sports teams to clubs in search of becoming an ideal Ivy League candidate....

A hate letter to Christmas

Norah Caplan and Josephine Caplan December 19, 2023

Dear Christmas, We always knew this letter would happen. As children born on your eve, it has been utter chaos to disclose our birthday to anyone on the street. Who else has to endure a stranger screaming...

100 word rants: Shorts, Cold classrooms, Spotify Wrapped

Norah Caplan, Lolera Tesema, and Vivian Parker December 18, 2023

Shorts It’s officially December, which means it's officially winter. Which is NOT the time for people to wear shorts. Yet for some reason every morning I see a dude wearing a T-shirt and shorts walking...

Navigating the Target Winter Wonderland

Navigating the Target Winter Wonderland

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff December 18, 2023

As you walk through the doors of 4500 Wisconsin, you are immediately overwhelmed by a display of holiday cheer. You look to your right and are met with the store’s iconic mascot popping out of a gift-wrapped...

A SECOND CHANCE - Junior girls varsity soccer player Olivia Heinemann battles a Walls player for the ball. After a devastating loss in the city championships, the Tigers must look forward to state’s.

Girls soccer and volleyball place second in DCSAA finals

Norah Caplan and Alice Stillerman November 21, 2023

With the DCSAA playoffs marking the end of the fall sports season, three of JR’s fall sport teams competed this past week in their respective tournaments. While the boys’ soccer team was knocked out...

Students, teachers struggle to discuss Israel-Hamas war

Simon Holland, Norah Caplan, and Rohini Kieffer November 21, 2023

College campuses across the country are embroiled in debate over the Israel-Hamas war. But at Jackson-Reed, many students and teachers report that they are uncomfortable even engaging in conversations...

Jackson-Reed Ultimate Frisbee team wins DCSAA state championship

Norah Caplan and Alice Stillerman July 20, 2023

On May 6, the Jackson-Reed Ultimate Frisbee team secured the DCSAA championship for the second year in a row, furthering their record as one of DC’s best high school sports teams.  This year marks...

STOTESBURY SUCCESS - The girls second varsity crew with their
second place medals at the Stotesbury Regatta. The regatta took
place on May 19 and 20 at the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

Crew team comradery leads to success

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff June 28, 2023

From grueling five a.m. morning workouts to hours spent rowing the Potomac, the Jackson-Reed Crew team is no stranger to hard work. The team’s work ethic and discipline have led to an incredible season...

Track alumni gives generous donation to current team

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff May 22, 2023

A group of Jackson-Reed alumni has donated $2500 to the school’s track and cross country team. The money was originally raised to pay for the preparation of a cross-country course that Ronald Jenkins,...

Serena Williams’ career ends but her inspiration remains

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff May 22, 2023

On Friday, September 2nd, tennis star Serena Williams got knocked out of the US Open, marking an end to a storied career that fans worldwide will never forget. Her dedication and perseverance has inspired...

Jackson-Reed Ultimate Frisbee team wins DCSAA state championship

Norah Caplan and Alice Stillerman May 19, 2023

On May 6, the Jackson-Reed Ultimate Frisbee team secured the DCSAA state championship for the second year in a row, furthering their incredible record as one of DC’s best high school sports teams.  This...

Inside the Ethiopian Eritrean Organization

Inside the Ethiopian Eritrean Organization

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff May 12, 2023

Jackson-Reed’s newly established Ethiopian Eritrean Organization (EEO), founded by juniors Lolera Tesema and Setina Dawit, aims to champion the rights of Ethiopian and Eritrean people through activism...

A look into the secret lives of the Jackson-Reed staff

Norah Caplan and Rohini Kieffer May 3, 2023

As students, we interact with teachers in one setting. Week after week, we see them at the same time, the same day, and the same place. We almost never catch a glimpse of their outside lives, except for...

Photo by Margot Nissen

Lesser-known clubs

Norah Caplan and Rohini Kieffer March 25, 2023

It’s 8:57 a.m. (if you’re on time). As you ascend the stairs from the atrium, something catches your eye. A pop of color to your left. You look over to find a bulletin board filled with all the clubs...

Winter play spotlight: Girls Like That

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff March 10, 2023

The Jackson-Reed theater department’s next must-see Players production, “Girls Like That,” is coming to the Black Box stage on February 9, 10, and 11.  The show follows high school senior Scarlett...

Trekking with Thompson

Devan Mehta, Josephine Caplan, and Norah Caplan January 24, 2023

    Junior Editors   Last year, as puny little freshmen, the three of us would eat lunch outside, gazing up at the clocktower that sat atop the school. Devan thought it was where...

Welcome to APPAS: An introduction to J-R’s newest AP course 

Norah Caplan, Director of New Staff January 23, 2023

AP African-American Studies is a pilot course that was introduced to Jackson-Reed at the beginning of the school year. Taught by Ms. Mfalingundi, the class is offered at only 60 high schools across the...

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