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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

Talia Zitner

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor

A senior on The Beacon who has been writing for three years but thinks it has been for much longer. As the Web Editor, she makes sure that both the website and the Beacon hierarchy are respected. However, the real reason that she holds her position is that she disagrees with the concept of the newspaper entirely, as it is extremely harmful to the trees. Oh, and if you think you know what it’s like to be cold, you are absolutely wrong because Talia spent four entire MONTHS in Wisconsin. Her best friend’s name is Redmond (but don’t tell Noah), but you won’t see her out on the weekends. Ever.

All content by Talia Zitner
The science behind: my hopes for 2019

The science behind: my hopes for 2019

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor January 30, 2019

A new year means fresh hope for the scientific community. Maybe 2019 will be the year that we discover new cures for deadly diseases, find ways to stymie the progression of climate change, or lower drug...

The science behind: hate speech

The science behind: hate speech

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor December 15, 2018

Do words really matter? Many of us think they do. New scientific research supports this idea, especially within the context of hate speech. Hate speech is any form of abusive or threatening speech...

Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference proves journalism isn’t dead

Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference proves journalism isn’t dead

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor November 25, 2018

Living in DC can often feel like the world revolves around what happens here. I have to remind myself that in states like Wyoming or North Dakota, there might be another teenage girl just like me, trying...

Teachers should teach facts, not bias

Noah Gross and Talia Zitner November 13, 2018

“All Trump supporters are dumb as f***.” No, this wasn’t something we saw on Twitter, but rather something we heard from our social studies teacher. While this might come as a shock to some,...

Graphic by Hamadi Belghachi

The Science Behind: Flu season

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor November 12, 2018

It’s that time of year again! Everyone is sneezing, hands are dry from washing them over and over, and it seems that CVS has simultaneously run out of mini packs of tissues and hand sanitizer. Flu season...

The science behind: sexism

The science behind: sexism

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor October 5, 2018

We’re lucky to live in a country that has made significant progress on gender equality. Despite this, societal sexism still very much exists, and is becoming much more of a conversation with the global...

The Science Behind: Cell phone addiction

The Science Behind: Cell phone addiction

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor August 31, 2018

It’s no secret that teens have a cell phone obsession. I’m definitely guilty of this myself. I probably send 1,000 Snapchats every day. There’s something about that rush I get when a notification...

The Science Behind: Sleep

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor June 10, 2018

To me, there’s nothing better than waking up after a full eight hours of sleep. Coffee could never replace the feeling of being naturally refreshed, alert, and rested. Some people claim they function...

The Science Behind: leaving the nest

The Science Behind: leaving the nest

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor May 9, 2018

As our seniors prepare to leave Wilson for their next steps, many of their guardians will begin to suffer what we affectionately dub “empty nest syndrome.” Empty nest syndrome is a feeling of loneliness...

Rising antisemitism cannot be tolerated

Rising antisemitism cannot be tolerated

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor May 9, 2018

Growing up as a Jew today, I’m lucky enough to not have faced the struggle for survival that my ancestors did. I’m surrounded by a strong Jewish community, which has contributed significantly to my...

Safe sex makes sense

Safe sex makes sense

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor September 6, 2017

When I was little, my mom used to show me her birth control pills while I sat in the bathroom, watching her get ready for work. They were arranged in a beautiful rainbow pattern, a mysterious circle of...

The science behind: teens and Trump

The science behind: teens and Trump

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor March 13, 2017

What do teens and Trump have in common? Besides turning to Twitter to get in their feelings, surprising comparisons can be drawn between our generation and the 45th president. As Trump’s reign continues,...

"Alternative facts" are dangerous lies

“Alternative facts” are dangerous lies

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor February 27, 2017

True or false? 2+2=5. While this sounds completely ridiculous, with the rise of “alternative facts,” the line between fact and fiction begins to blur. Kellyanne Conway (U.S. Counselor to the President)...

"The Secret Garden" brings new innovation to old classic

“The Secret Garden” brings new innovation to old classic

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor January 10, 2017

The Shakespeare Theater Company’s The Secret Garden blooms on stage as whimsical set pieces and surprising lighting techniques bring the audience into the world of Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret...

The Science Behind...your brain and meditation

The Science Behind…your brain and meditation

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor December 6, 2016

Meditation- it’s not just for hippies! New scientific research is suggesting that meditation could actually change the overall function of the human brain. Meditation is the process of checking in...

Washington DC Metro

Metro set to continue with SafeTrack program

Talia Zitner, Digital Editor September 12, 2016

As summer comes to an end, the 8th and 9th “safety surges” of the year long SafeTrack initiative begins. From August 27th to September 11th, there will be a continuous single track and weekend line...

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