Volume 88 Issue 5

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

www.jrbeacon.com

Q&A with Senator Chris Murphy

This is a crisis like we haven’t seen in any of our lifetimes.

Rohini Kieffer

Isadora Groves Editors-in-Chief

Since the start of Donald Trump’s second term, Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the administration. Murphy condemned the broad federal workforce cuts initiated by Trump and criticized the administration’s alignment with Russian interests, calling the current state of US politics “a constitutional crisis.”

Murphy is also a JR parent. He spoke with The Beacon last week about the recent actions of the Trump administration and the potential impacts for students. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

•••

Beacon: Since January 20, Trump has issued a series of orders that have altered the organization and workings of the federal government. You have been very vocal about your views of the Trump administration. What are your top concerns about the direction of our country?

Murphy: What we are watching is a billionaire takeover of our government in order for those billionaires to steal from us to

see MURPHY on page 2

JR community awaits guidance in face of immigration crackdown

Rohini Kieffer

Isadora Groves Noa Gordon

Editors-in-Chief Sports Editor

On the wall outside of social studies teacher Michele Bollinger’s second-floor classroom, students can find a folder full of small slips of neon green paper. One side is titled “Know Your Rights Card” and the other “Tarjeta de Derechos.”

“I am exercising my Fifth Amendment right under the US Constitution to remain silent,” the first line reads, “my right to refuse to answer your questions and my right to refuse to sign anything until I consult an attorney.”

Since January, when the Trump administration granted immigration agents the jurisdiction to enter and perform arrests at schools—a previously protected location—JacksonReed students have felt uncertain, fearful, and in-the-dark about how to proceed.

BASKETBALL SEASONS END IN STATE SEMIFINALS

Girls lose to GDS Boys fall to Gonzaga

The girls’ varsity basketball team went into this year with something to prove. Having consistently fallen just short of their goals in the DCIAA and DCSAA tournaments the last few years, the Tigers, led by new leadership, had their minds set on a championship.

Contrary to the low roster turnover, the coaching staff was completely replaced.

When reaching for the top, despite all signs of being there, sometimes there is still a way to go. After a historic 33-3 season in 2023-24, this year the boys’ varsity basketball team weathered challenges and made a deep run, but eventually came up short in the postseason. The Tigers played a far more competitive schedule against nationally

“I think we have a lot of our Latino students not coming to school because of fear of being taken out of school,” said a JR staff member who asked not to be named. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher Camilo Cruz said he noticed an initial decrease in attendance in his classroom that has since slowly reversed.

Of the school's approximately 1,800 students, 26 percent identify

as Hispanic/Latino, according to DCPS data. “If stuff were to happen to them, I’m sure JacksonReed would just fall apart,” said a freshman who asked not to be named.

Teachers and staff members told The Beacon that DCPS and the JR administration have not issued immigration enforcement response guidance

see ICE on page 2

Prom tentatively set for hotel in Rockville

Dani Wallace Riley MacClellan Managing Editor Junior Editor

After multiple revised contracts and up to seven considered locations, the class of 2025 prom venue is expected to be confirmed by the end of this week. The frontrunning location is the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland.

The senior prom will be held on June 7, the Saturday after seniors’ last day of school, per tradition, with a potential theme of “The Roaring

’20s.”

“It’s a really big space, the room is really nice, we had held it there before, the price was right… and the date of June 7 was available,” Assistant Principal Marc Minsker told The Beacon. For the past month, the contract has gone back and forth between the Marriott and DC government, which is the legal team for DCPS, Minsker said.

Several potential locations, including first choice venue Dock5 in Union Market, fell through due disagreements on the terms of the contract. “The DCPS legal team

see PROM on page 3

Celebrating JR athletes during Women's History Month

Adler Amolsch Director of New Staff

Despite an overall lack of attendance at female sporting events, progress in participation and viewership in female professional leagues has come a long way in recent years. From the WNBA delivering a record-high 170% increase in ESPN viewers to the women's gold medal soccer game delivering the most spectators for an Olympic soccer finale since 2004, recognition for female athletes is on the rise.

have made in shaping our sports programs, and contributing to the recognition of female sports.

With approximately 400 female students participating in sports at JR, our women's sports teams have grown in size, significance, and excellence. These student-athletes have demonstrated elite skill and have displayed standout performances in their respective fields.

Most recently, the girl's track team finished first at the indoor track and field DCIAA meet in January. Setting a record in the 4x400 meter relay, the team never fails to set the bar higher and faster.

This Women’s History Month, we spotlight the achievements female athletes at Jackson-Reed see WOMEN'S HISTORY on page 8

Sam Bigge Junior Editor

Justin Glenn Sports Editor

PHOTOS BY ELI SCHWARTZ

SHOOTING THEIR SHOT - Varsity girls' basketball player Aminyah Muhammad and varsity boys' basketball player Diego Joy leave it all out on the court.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS MURPHY

PHOTO BY ELI SCHWARTZ

TARJETA DE DERECHOS - An envelope filled with "Know Your Rights Cards" hangs outside of room 210.

Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White expelled

Peyton Shum

Jordana Sloane Junior Editors

On February 4, the DC Council unanimously voted to expel Ward 8 Representative Trayon White following a bribery charge. This was the first time in 50 years the DC Council has expelled a council member.

White served two terms as the Ward 8 representative on the DC Council and was elected for a third. White also ran for mayor in 2022. He was a protégé of former Mayor Marrion Barry, who similarly went through an arrest scandal. Barry helped White gain reelection for his seat on the Board of Education, and White took Barry’s seat on the council after he died.

White was a very popular leader within his ward and personally appeared at many events, including crime scenes, funerals, and

ICE

from page 1

to staff. A DCPS spokesperson and Principal Sah Brown both declined to comment. However, the DCPS spokesperson referred to DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s guidelines issued in January called “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Enforcement in Schools.”

In the absence of official guidelines, Bollinger took it upon herself to provide students with information about expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) powers. Bollinger said that she googled ways to help undocumented

MURPHY

from page 1

enrich themselves. No one wants that. They are also trying to destroy our democracy so that they are not held accountable for what they are doing. This is a crisis like we haven’t seen in any of our lifetimes because our democracy could die if the very rich and powerful take it over and we lose the ability to object. They are seizing the spending power that the Constitution grants to the legislature, not to the president. What they are trying to do is to use spending as a way to compel loyalty. They have cut off spending to a lot of groups and individuals, and the idea is that they will turn that spending back on only if you pledge political loyalty to the president. That is deeply unAmerican and it is something that we have to fight with all we have. Beacon: Trump has threatened to shrink or eradicate the Department of Education. How do you see this playing out?

Murphy: We expect him to issue an order that would begin the process of eliminating the Department of Education. Trump is doing it because he has no idea what a public school is; all these billionaires

barbeques. He used to hold annual back-to-school events where he gave out backpacks filled with school supplies.

On August 18, 2024, White was arrested for a criminal complaint and charged with bribery. White allegedly agreed to accept $156,000 in bribes to use his position to pressure government employees to extend violence intervention contracts, worth $5.2 million. White pleaded not guilty, but his trial won’t take place until January 2026. Prosecutors have asked for a July 2025 trial date, but US Attorney Matthew Graves’ office said they need the time to prepare.

In four secretly recorded meetings from June 28 to August 9, 2024, an FBI informant, who the Washington Post identified as Allieu Kamara, gave White envelopes filled with cash in exchange for White renewing contracts for Kamara’s company. Kamara was the founder

students and found the cards on the American Federation of Teachers website.

“I appreciate the fact that I’ve been able to have it up on the wall now and nobody has asked to take it down. I take that as a culture of support and acknowledgement,” Bollinger told The Beacon.

“DCPS has not responded in the way that I would support,” she said. “I think that there is a tendency in this moment, out of fear—and I understand the fear— to not want to draw attention to yourself by speaking out, and to me that looks like complying ahead of time and giving up in advance, and history shows us that is a mistake.”

Cruz has also tried to personally support his ESOL students. “When [immigration

who surround him send their kids to private school, so they don’t have any idea of the value of a public education. The funding could be cut for schools—Jackson-Reed relies on a lot of federal funding as a school for a lot of lower-income families. You could also see the civil rights aspects of the Department of Education disappear. Schools are not allowed to discriminate against kids, but it still happens all over the country. And when it happens, the Department of Education steps in and stops it. If the Department of Education isn’t protecting kids’ civil rights there are going to be a lot of kids in this country, unfortunately, especially those who live in very conservative areas, that are going to have their civil rights violated.

Beacon: One of Trump's biggest issues has been DEI, including in education and curricula. How concerned are you about this? What do you think the risks are?

Murphy: When Trump says he’s worried about DEI what he means is that he is worried about anybody other than a white man getting a job in this country. Trump believes unapologetically in white male supremacy, and that is what “DEI” stands for. In our country we believe that anybody, regardless of your gender, your race, your

of Life Deeds, a city contractor that serves vulnerable people in DC. Life Deeds relied on contracts with DC to help care for high risk youth and adults, including grants and violence intervention teams. Previously, Kamara pleaded guilty to bribing a contract specialist in the Child and Family Services Agency. As part of the deal, Kamara agreed to help federal authorities with other unspecified investigations, most likely including this one. In less than two months, the FBI had recorded $35,000 in exchange, which was enough to get an arrest warrant.

Following his arrest, the DC Council created an ad hoc committee to investigate White. The temporary committee would recommend the council to either reprimand, publicly disapprove of, or expel White. This was separate from the criminal investigation and was the first step in the process of expelling White. The committee

policies] are in our conversations, what I try to do, as a human being, is help students ease their anxiety with words of love and kindness,” he said. He has also tried to teach lessons with themes of resilience and empathy through the course material he selects.

School districts around the DMV have issued statements regarding the protection of their students. Montgomery County Public Schools posted on their website that they are “committed to ensuring that all students feel safe and welcome in our schools, regardless of immigration status.”

Alexandria City Public Schools sent out resources for educators, school support staff, counselors, social workers, families, and communities.

Prince George’s County

religion, your ethnicity, should have an equal shot at an education, an equal shot at getting a job. Donald Trump doesn’t believe that. We know that discrimination still exists and so you have to be purposeful to make sure that the people who are subject to racist and discriminatory regimes have a shot of success in this country. Trump isn’t really talking about erasing preferences, he is talking about instituting new preferences. This time though, just a preference for people who look like him.

Beacon: Trump’s executive orders have attempted to take away federal protections for transgender students. What are your thoughts on the impact of these policies?

Murphy: It's really sickening to me that the president and his allies think that the biggest threat to this country are transgender kids and drag shows. This is just a distraction campaign so that people don’t see the real threats in this country like the weaponization of the Department of Justice, or the consolidation of economic power, or the fentanyl crisis. We should aggressively pursue equal rights for everybody in this country and every student in this country regardless of what your gender identity is or your sexual orientation.

looked into his bribery charges, along with the speculation that he resided outside of the district he was representing. Latham & Watkins, the law firm that put together the report on White, concluded that there was substantial evidence that he was involved in bribery, but not for violating the council’s residency requirement.

A few months later, White won reelection for his Ward 8 seat in November. During his reelection speech, White apologized: “As a public servant, we have a duty to our city. This morning, I want to say that I apologize to my city, and I love my city.” He did not specify what he was apologizing for.

Following his reelection in February, the council unanimously voted to expel White in less than a minute. A special election for his council seat will take place in early spring or summer. White is still eligible to run for the seat as only

Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II issued a video statement on January 28. “Our support of our diverse community is unwavering,” he said. House emphasized the importance of being prepared and directed viewers to a resource page on the school district’s website.

In contrast, DCPS’s immigration guidance has not been updated on its website since 2016.

One school supporting its community in concrete ways is the bilingual school OysterAdams. Principal Carolina Brito said she has taken DCPS’s immigration guidance and added information from Montgomery County and other schools and districts around the country.

In addition, in early January,

Beacon: Many students in DC have undocumented family members. What do you think will happen if Trump enforces mass deportations and ICE begins showing up at schools?

Murphy: I hope that cities that are run by Democrats and states that are run by Democrats won't do anything to illegally infringe on the civil liberties of their residents. But the fact of the matter is that a majority of Americans want us to provide a pathway to citizenship for people who are undocumented, so what Trump is proposing, kicking out of the country kids who have been here their entire life and who know nothing except for being an American, is a deeply unpopular opinion.

Beacon: Obviously most of us at JR aren’t old enough to vote, but we’re all affected by politics. How would you advise students to participate in politics and advocate for our beliefs?

Murphy: What I’ve learned is that there is no great political movement or social movement in this country that wasn’t led by young people. Many of those young people weren’t old enough to vote. If you look at the antiwar movement in the ’60s and ’70s, the gun violence movement of the last 10 years, they were led

convicted felons are prohibited and his trial date is after the election. So far, White hasn’t expressed his intent to run in the special election. If White runs and wins, the DC Council would have the option to expel him again. •

Oyster hosted a Know Your Rights event in partnership with the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, which provides legal services to immigrants.

Though Oyster's initial fear was ICE showing up at the front door, Brito told The Beacon that the school’s focus has shifted. “The way it's playing out in DC right now, is how do we support families when ICE comes to the workplace? If you see ICE on the way to school, who's gonna pick up your kid?” she said. When engaging with the community and students, Brito said that the feeling of fear is palpable. “We have to be mindful that even if they’re not at our door, it still has an impact,” she said. “The air we breathe in DC is full of fear and anxiety.” •

by young people, often high school students. There's a purity of voice that is attached to young people when they speak. Adults pay more attention to young people often than they pay to their age bracket. I started out as a student activist. I was a high school student when I started speaking up for student rights. I was the youngest member of the state legislature in Connecticut when I was elected at age 25. So I know what it’s like to be a young person navigating and while it can be frustrating sometimes, you have immense power that sometimes you don’t often see. So in a moment like this, it’s really important for young people to speak up.

Beacon: Is there a message that you would like to leave for the JacksonReed student body?

Murphy: Every student has to make up their own mind, but there are really important actions and protests that are happening virtually every day in this city. I hope that students who feel anxious and upset right now at what's happening in the Trump administration may choose to join an action at some point. I think you'll find that it'll make you feel much better and it'll help relieve your anxiety or your anger at the situation and at the moment. •

Councilmember Pinto proposes bill to ban phone use in DCPS

Giacomo Tomaino Contributor

On January 27, DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto proposed legislation to prohibit cell phones and personal devices during the school day. If passed, the “Heads Up! Distraction-Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025” would direct DCPS to implement a policy that bans cell phone use, as well as gaming devices and smartwatches.

The bill authorizes educators to allow students to use wireless communication devices for educational purposes during class time; outlines a process for students to get permission to use personal devices in emergencies or for health reasons, and ensures storage for devices is provided; addresses exceptions for students with Individualized Education Programs or disabilities; allows personal device use during transit to and from school; and requires students to be notified about the policy and its consequences for violations.

In her official press release, Pinto emphasized that her primary focus is to help students shape a successful future. She argued that phone access and social media use have led to increased fights and conflicts.

Another major concern for her is academic performance.

“One third of DCPS students are reading at grade level and less than one quarter are meeting expectations in math,” said Pinto.

While some DCPS schools, like Alice Deal Middle School, have already banned phones during school hours, JR has not. “I believe our job is to prepare you for life after high school and to be set up for post-secondary success,” said Principal Sah Brown, explaining his reasoning for not banning phones already.

He added that “technology can be used to advance student learning and help aid students in their coursework.” However, if the ban is implemented, Brown acknowledged that adjustments will be necessary.

“Once DCPS puts out a policy around what cell phone bans look like for DCPS and what schools will be expected to implement, we will be able to create a plan and an approach that is aligned to the guidance,” he stated.

Teachers at JR also have strong opinions on the issue.

Deirdia Ward, a teacher for the Academy of Finance at JR, raised concerns about keeping phones allowed in school.

“My issue with students having phones during their free periods and lunch time is that they won't socialize. And one of

the things I'm concerned most about young people right now is their inability to interact and socialize with other people," she explained. Regarding classroom management, Ward enforces strict rules.

“I typically make the [student] put the phone on my desk. Checking an email or message here and there is one thing, but when I see you constantly on your phone playing games, [I ask you to] put it on my desk.” She even resorts to extreme measures at times: “I have to be extreme to keep it from happening again, like keeping the phone overnight, and that’s not what I want to do.”

However, students bring up valid concerns, particularly about safety. Junior Nathan Liebman argued that “banning phones would hinder the ability to communicate during an emergency.”

As more schools and dist ricts implement phone bans, there is an increasing possibility that DCPS could ban phones as early as next school year.

“Removing distracting devices during the school day will better equip our students to focus, empower our teachers to teach, and ensure that our kids are engaging with one another in person which will benefit them and their outcomes for years to come,” said Pinto. •

PROM

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requested changes to the contract and Dock5 rejected the changes,” Minsker said.

After that, the class of 2025’s administration began the search for other choices. Prior prom locations like the Hamilton Hotel and the National Building Museum exceeded the budget of around $20,000, moving the search outside of DC. The delay involved contractual negotiations between vendors and the DC government regarding compensation for possible property damage.

“[The contract] is in the final stages of approval and hopefully it gets signed soon,” Minsker said. Since JR hosted a prom at the venue 10 years ago, finalizing a contract “shouldn’t be a problem,” he said.

Some believe the location is not the most optimal choice. “I am not a huge fan of the new location and I feel like it's kind of far,” said senior Eden Grim.

While not being in DC is a concern, Minsker said that “right now we’re having so many problems with these other contracts and DC government that I’m just thankful that this one seems to be going through.”

In addition, a potential senior class overnight trip to Hershey Park during the last week of May was announced during the senior town hall on February 6, but interest levels may determine if the trip is executed. The trip is required to be student-run with some stipulations and is not sanctioned by the school.

“You are required to have one chaperone for every six students

and they have to find their own buses,” Minsker said. The possibility of getting a sufficient number of chaperones for “give or take 100 students is crazy odds,” he added. Seniors who are interested in participating in the class trip can fill out a survey on the JR website.

“There has not been a senior trip since before COVID and we hope to be the class to make it a tradition once again,” senior Leslie Galo-Valle said. However, student body secretary and senior committee member Sydney Mabry said “it is quite literally impossible if we don't reach a certain threshold of interest.”

Expenses have been a concern for seniors. General dues for every senior are $125, including senior spirit days, transcripts, two class T-shirts, the senior gift, a senior lunch, senior awards, and other small items; caps and gowns cost an additional $42 to be purchased directly through JR. Other expenses, like a prom ticket and a $65 yearbook, will total each student at around $350.

“Even when you get a couple hundred dollars from most students, there's still a lot of money that the school needs, and I think it's not realistic to ask people for a lot more,” senior Miranda Miller said about the added cost of a senior trip.

The SGA has taken actions to aid these costs via fundraising support. Senior fundraisers have been held at Chipotle, Call Your Mother Deli, and Seoul Spice. This initiative, however, was not well known among students. Both Mabry and Galo-Velle reminded the class that “fundraisers and student dues help raise more money to pay for graduation, prom, the senior trip,” and more. •

Academy applications open for 2025-26 school year

Jackson-Reed’s 10 academies opened their applications to new interested students on February 1, which will close at the start of September 2025. Admissions operate on a rolling basis, with acceptances granted on a firstcome-first-serve basis. When an academy reaches capacity, this information will be posted on the application site and students applying after that point will be placed on a waitlist.

The academies include: the Athletic Achievement, Audio Video Production, Biomedical, Graphic Design, Engineering, Finance, Global Studies, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology, and the Leadership academy with both Cybersecurity and JROTC.

The academies are split between three academy leaders. Regina McClure oversees the Engineering, Biomed, and Information Technology academies. Tammy Lorenzo leads the Athletic Achievement, Global Studies, and Cybersecurity and JROTC academies. Brandon Wims heads the Audio Video Production, Graphic Design, Finance, and Hospitality and Tourism academies.

Academies are an essential

part of Jackson-Reed and a draw to prospective students. In a school of roughly 1,855 students, the academies serve to build smaller learning communities. “[The academies provide necessary] programs for students to get more attention, access, opportunities, not just for their classes, but also to prepare for life after high school,” said McClure. She noted how the academies provide a taste of a career, allowing students to decide whether it’s something they want to further pursue or not.

The opportunities McClure mentioned include numerous community service openings and field trips, where students can watch people in their interested field at work. The academies bring into the building a variety of professionals, whom students can interact with and get an overview of their day-to-day life and career. Internships are also available for juniors and seniors, allowing them to get paid and have further exposure to what the real workplace and field is like.

Logan Reed, a sophomore in the finance academy, mentioned that it is very useful for learning fundamental life skills. “The teachers are both engaged with the students” and aid them in “applying lessons from class to the real world,” said Reed. Izak Richman, a sophomore in

the engineering academy, also commended the quality of the teachers, “My favorite thing about the engineering academy is Mr. Meyers.” Another sophomore in the engineering academy, Lee Eckstein, appreciated the thoughtprovoking and rigorous qualities of the engineering academy as well as “[how it] challenges us to think about how things work. We learn how circuits are built, how

to design and take apart toys, and much more.”

To students applying for a new academy, McClure recommended “getting involved.” This could mean taking part in the clubs the academy has to offer, participating in many field trips, and developing a solid relationship with the Academy Head. “Just dive in and become a part of the life of the academy.”

For the current academy students, applications for student leadership open in early April and will be due in May. As of next year, all 10 academies will become Career Technical Education programs. This means they receive funding, which builds even more internship opportunities and further enhances the academies JR has to offer. •

Grace Harscheid Junior Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMMY LORENZO

INVESTIGATIVE ACADEMIES - The Academy of Global Studies and JROTC took a field trip to the FBI headquarters downtown. Applications for academies are now open.

Trans healthcare threatened around the nation

James Davis Contributor

Over the past few years, transgender people have been under unprecedented levels of scrutiny for our bodies and lifestyles. In 2024 alone, 50 bills were passed in various states restricting healthcare, education, ability to play in sports, and of course, bathroom usage. With President Trump’s inauguration, this worrying trend has only continued.

On January 28th, the president enacted an order targeting gender affirming care for transgender individuals under the age of 19. These restrictions have already had devastating impacts on our community. On January 30th, Children’s National Hospital halted all gender affirming care, including any ongoing prescription refills for all patients. As one of the largest gender affirming healthcare providers in DC, this has left countless families scrambling to find new options for their loved ones to continue life-saving care.

This closure has already had its impacts on many members of our community here at Jackson-

Reed. While balancing home and school lives, trans students now have to work overtime finding new avenues to get their healthcare. One student who wished to stay anonymous said they were never notified when Children’s shut down, until they went to refill their prescription. Once they learned about this, they started to frantically search for a new clinic. Another student said they have been struggling to find an alternative location for Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) before they run out of their current supply and worry they may have to resort to unsafe alternatives. Neither student was surprised that Children’s had shut down, as they have been targeted by conservatives in the past, but both were shocked at how quickly they folded to this executive order. Many people assume HRT only changes physical characteristics of the body, but it also is proven to improve mental health and lessen hormonal imbalances in the brain. Both students stressed how beneficial the gender affirming care they have had access to has been in their lives, citing how their moods have greatly improved since starting

hormones.

On February 13, a federal judge in Maryland blocked Trump’s executive order on gender affirming care. At this point, Children’s National is still able to refill prescriptions, but is no longer a reliable source of gender affirming care due to how vulnerable DC legislation is right now. With Home Rule

Why JR seniors deserve free periods

Nana Yeboah Eva Okoobo Contributors

Free periods represent the sacrifice that many students have made to earn open credits. This privilege is earned, not given. Since the 9th grade, every JacksonReed student has looked forward to having free periods during their senior year.

Every grade has a town hall meeting where they discuss future plans and expectations for the year ahead. As juniors, our town hall focuses on what’s to come: SATs, ROAR values, and, most notably, free periods. When we heard about free periods, we imagined waking up late and spending our time off with friends. These breaks allow us to combat senioritis, manage

other responsibilities. However, we were hit with the reality that, for the 2025-2026 school year, free periods will only be granted to students with jobs or internships. Many students already work after school, and being required to work a shift during a free third period is far from ideal, as they would have to return to school immediately afterward. This policy also forces seniors to take the first or second half of the school day off to accommodate jobs in the D.C. area, limiting their flexibility.

Over the past three years, students have taken anywhere from eight to 14 classes per year, and by senior year, most of us only need one to four credits to graduate. With this new policy, students will be forced to take unnecessary courses just to fill their

blow to the hard work we’ve put in countless hours of studying, taking electives we didn’t truly need, and enduring the challenges of junior year. The new requirement places an unfair burden on seniors, increasing the risk of burnout due to overwhelming schedules, limited time for breaks, college tours, applications, SATs, and more.

Jackson-Reed is the only school in the district to offer free periods, and we want to keep it that way. Stripping away this privilege for rising seniors is an unreasonable decision that will do more harm than good. It will lead to increased skipping, higher stress levels, and lower enjoyment of our final years of high school. We have worked too hard for this opportunity to be taken away, and we urge the administration to reconsider. •

being in jeopardy with the new BOWSER Act, transgender individuals in the district will only continue to be targeted by anti-trans legislation. It is so common to see these awful laws in the news, but no one expects to see it in their own community. Transgender students at Jackson-Reed need support and safety now

more than ever. Politicians who are strangers to our city are meddling in communities they refuse to understand. I’m urging students at JacksonReed to listen to trans voices and speak up against hatred that permeates within our community. Trans people are a cornerstone of our community, we cannot let them fade away. •

Honors for

all

is not the solution

classes only drop further behind with the additional weight of the honors coursework.

Honors for all is a simple idea; everyone gets to be in honors classes. Historically, honors classes were made for the few who would be able to tolerate the rigor of the course. However, nowadays, being in honors classes has become the standard when trying to get into a competitive college. This has meant that parents and schools have begun throwing as many kids as possible into honors programs, hence honors for all. Despite the promising idea, honors for all isn’t the solution for Jackson-Reed.

Honors classes are meant for students who are willing to go above and beyond to pursue academic excellence. The nature of honors classes is that they aren’t for everyone and are meant to be more selective, like APs, for those who have the ability and desire to succeed and can do so.

The main idea behind honors for all is a solid principle: it works to push everyone to excel at a higher level and tries to prepare students for more difficult classes, with the intention of reducing the opportunity gap among the student body. The issue comes when an outside presence is determining what can be deemed “challenging” enough for an individual student. Those who already struggle in level

The school has known about this problem, so what is their obvious solution? Decrease the rigor of the class to help the students who struggle, which defeats the purpose of the honors program.

This is one of the largest causes of grade inflation, as the teachers who stick to the harder way of doing things give out lower grades while teachers who use the easier curriculum give out higher grades for less effort. This “A for all” mindset would not be an issue if it were standard across all teachers, but it isn’t. So, the students with the harder teachers often have to work harder, just for a lower grade.

If some students choose to take an easy way forward, it is the role of their guidance counselor to provide advice and steer them in the right direction. It should not simply fall to the heads of administration to determine what is best for every student, it needs to happen on a smaller level.

At the end of the day, not everyone learns the same. There are some who can succeed in honors classes and some who will struggle. No one should be subjected to an environment where they aren’t set up to succeed and so, while honors classes are necessary, they aren’t for everyone. •

Will Pfaffenroth Contributor

GRAPHIC BY JAMES DAVIS

GRAPHIC BY FRANCES LEIBOVICH

Overcrowding declines, but problems still remain

At this point, MacArthur has been open for over a year, but has the Jackson-Reed overcrowding problem changed? The main reason for MacArthur's opening was to lessen JR’s overcrowding problem. As many Jackson-Reed students have experienced, there are either too many or too few students in each classroom. A new school opening in the area was supposed to decrease this problem, but has there been a noticeable change?

Many of my classes are lacking in the ratio of people to supplies. For example, many courses include disproportionate class sizes with some having too many students and not enough desks! On the other hand, some classes have a shortage of students. I have been in classes with over 35 people, and some with only about 10. Certain classes have even had to combine with others or fully disappear because of the deficiency of students registered.

There are many possibilities as to why JR has these issues but the main reason is the

Should middle school credits carry over?

Frank Blankcato Contributor

As a freshman, I really value the high school credits I got in middle school. Entering high school with credits leads to fewer classes you’re required to complete, meaning less work and less late-night studying for tests. After three years of Chinese and AP Spanish in middle school, I see no reason why I should have to redo it in high school.

DCPS doesn’t give us a lot of days off, but they do give us the chance to get ahead by accepting some middle school credits. In fact, many JacksonReed students have taken high school credits in middle school. While talking to current JR students, seven students from Deal confirmed that they had taken Algebra 1, two students from Oyster-Adams said they took Algebra 1, and one student from Hardy said they took Algebra 1.

Getting credits done in middle school gives you the chance to get ahead of your peers or take classes you’re actually interested in. Less credits that you’re required to do can free up your schedule and take off pressure.

By already having done my language requirements in middle school, I was able to fit two academies into my schedule. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone, as it depends on whether your

middle school offered you the opportunity. Though getting credits in middle school is a great way to get ahead, for those who don’t have early credits, it can feel unfair. What everyone has to remember is that early credits are helpful, but in most cases, they don’t determine when you graduate (you’ll still be standing next to your peers in four years) or your high school experience. Early credits don’t completely change your schedule as everyone has to take art, music, gym, and health. In addition, if your schedule can’t fit in the electives you want, you can always apply for dual enrollment or take those electives in college.

Middle school classes are different from high school in the sense that the course load is significantly harder. Doing your language or math classes in high school may give you a better learning and understanding of the class because of its intense rigor. Even though I had done my language credits in middle school, I still chose to take Italian high school. After six months of being in Italian 1, I have found that I like and prefer the teaching style in high school better than middle school.

At the end of the day, being able to bring in your middle school credits into high school is a blessing, but completing required classes in high school can also be beneficial. •

underfunding of supplies that we receive. The result of underfunding has led to more students than the pile of supplies in DCPS overall, specifically, JR. The ability to have enough textbooks, pencils, calculators, etc. is a necessity to learn. When there is a lack of these items, the class tends to get behind or switch to using other materials to use. This affects the quality of learning as people will stop paying as much attention since there aren’t enough supplies to do a math equation, lab, or even read in English.

While there are still issues

in the school, overcrowding is not as bad as last year. For one, it seems that the ability to reach your next class has gotten easier. That is, there are fewer people in the hallways between class periods. Maybe it was just because I was a freshman, but the difficulty of navigating the school from the crowded hallways was a struggle. This trend will continue in the following years to make the school simpler for incoming students.

Overall, Jackson-Reed still has work to do to decrease overcrowding, but it has

improved. Hopefully, in the coming years the ratio of students to equipment will even out, and one day there might even be more pencils than students! I'd like DCPS to prioritize funding and allocate the materials for JR to thrive. Although that day isn’t here yet, as MacArthur grows and continues expanding its population, we can hope that the schools will even out the number of people in classes and schools. •

Super Bowl LIX review

In early February, one of the most legendary and popular sports games occurred: the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl has been around since 1967 when the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. The event is now the biggest sporting fixture in America, with Super Bowl 59 attracting over one hundred million viewers. While the Super Bowl has changed in many ways over the years, this past one was pretty similar to the first-ever match, including the Chiefs getting whooped.

Going into it, the teams seemed pretty even. The Chiefs had won the two previous fixtures and had who many consider the best quarterback around, Patrick Mahomes. Their star-studded roster, including the likes of Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Nick Bolton, seemed to be the favorite, however not by a large margin.

The Eagles had stars of their own, most notably Jalen Hurts, their quarterback, and Saquon Barkley, a running back.

Being one of the best, there was a lot of pressure on Mahomes to perform. Unfortunately, however, his performance was mostly forgettable. He threw two interceptions, was sacked six times, and fumbled the ball, helping the Eagles secure victory. The Eagles, however, were on point on Sunday. Jalen Hurts won MVP going 17 for 22 passes for 221 yards and scoring a touchdown, Saquon Barkley had 25 carries

for 57 yards, and DeVonta Smith had 4 receptions, 69 yards and a touchdown, showing the country their superior play.

The score at halftime was one to remember: 24-0 with the Chiefs losing all hope. The highlight of the break, however, was the

His depictions of Uncle Sam as someone who wants to silence him, and the separation of the people wearing different colors is trying to convey the realworld issues in America. This combined with the fact that he is on the biggest stage in America,

on a variety of different issues in America, which many don’t agree with.

Personally, I believe that he wanted to show to the world the struggles that he and other black people in America face.

It's time to bring back February break

Miles Kenefick Contributor

DCPS removed the February break in the 2023-2024 school year. According to the DCPS website, they did this to align with other schools and to shorten the school year, adding days to summer break. Personally, I think its time to reinstate February break, and I polled 10 DCPS students, all of whom agreed.

Me and my fellow students agree that February break was

the perfect time to go skiing, or a time we could use to catch up on sleep and spend time with family.

Beyond just being relaxing for students, another student, Hugo Janos, noted how, “We should have it to give teachers the necessary break that they need and deserve so they can be productive and energized when the break lets out.”

While DCPS is required to reach 180 days of instructional time according to federal rules, there is a three-and-a-halfmonth gap between winter and

spring break, leaving students and teachers without proper rest. According to a study by Kana Okano, “overall, better quality, longer duration, and greater consistency of sleep correlated with better grades.” February break would provide students and teachers the opportunity to catch up on needed rest, setting them up for success in the classroom. Even if DCPS doesn’t plan to bring February break back, DCPS should at least make spring break earlier in the calendar year. Schools like St. Johns and the

Field School have a spring break the third week of March, in the middle of winter and summer break. DCPS spring break is in the middle of April, only a month and a half from the end of the school year. Making spring break earlier would solve the problem of too long of a breakless stretch between winter break and spring break and better align DCPS calendars with other school breaks.

DCPS should bring back February break to give students and teachers a break between

title of Super Bowl, though I was really hoping for a more interesting matchup. Ideally, the Commanders pulling through against the Eagles and making it all the way. •

winter and spring break. If this is not possible, DCPS should move spring break to earlier in the year. •

James Fowlkes Contributor

Eva Solomon Junior Editor

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Jackson-Reed High School

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A free press is imperative and in danger

By The Beacon staff

The Beacon believes President Donald Trump’s recent bans of news outlets from the White House press pool to be antidemocratic and in violation of Americans’ First Amendment rights.

Last month, when the Associated Press, one of the world's leading news agencies, refused to change "Gulf of Mexico" to “Gulf of America” in its stylebook, Trump immediately banned the AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One.

Two weeks later, press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that, moving forward, the White House would choose who covers Trump at major events rather than the White House Correspondents Association, which had been organizing White House coverage for over a century. This is the first time in history a president has reserved the right to choose who is allowed in the esteemed White House press pool.

Trump’s allies have also engaged in restricting opposition in the press. Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos nixed the paper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris a few weeks before the election, breaking a tradition dating to 1976. Following that, Bezos announced that the opinions section of the Post would publish only columns supporting “personal liberties and free markets” and ignore opposing viewpoints.

Press restrictions aim to shield the American people from news that goes against and challenges Trump’s agenda, leading to ignorance, misinformation, and

propaganda. This also limits the ability of the media to hold his administration accountable, constraining the power of our democracy. “Journalists must be free and independent to effectively serve their audiences as a watchdog over government, whether that's Congress or high school,” Josh Moore, assistant director of the Washington-based Student Press Law Center, told The Beacon.

The censorship of the press cannot become a norm. As student journalists, we believe it is essential to continue to write about the truth and share a variety of perspectives now more than ever. “This is a moment where journalists need to show no fear, and it's a moment where independent journalism, including student journalism, really has to step up because corporate journalism is not meeting the mark,” Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Beacon last week.

Student press associations must stand together to make an impact and protect our journalistic rights. “Student journalists' rights are already vulnerable, which is why we must all stand firm in supporting a free student press,” Moore said.

As part of our goal of amplifying student voices, we pledge to continue following our mission in the face of adversity. When other journalism communities are being forced to silence their voices, we stand true to represent every voice in our school and community at large. We call on other student publications to do the same. •

Top 10 March Madness Punishments

100 word rants

Thrifting

Padget Bowers-Shreve

It's that time of year again! When we all get strangely invested in college basketball and then go back to not caring in April. Of course I am talking about March Madness. Now, I know nothing about college basketball, but like everyone else, I fill out a bracket. Because one day, it may not be this year, but one day, I WILL have a perfect bracket. Go ahead, call me crazy. Say it’s “impossible”, but statistically, it technically is possible. So just remember reading this rant when you see me on the news one day winning millions for my perfect bracket. •

Have you ever opened up your favorite online thrifting app, like Depop, Thredup, or Vinted, and been greeted with multiple pairs of $300 “vintage” tops? If you have, then you know the pain of thrifting online. Despite the convenience of being able to easily sift through and find real gems, the weight on your bank account from the prices and fees take away from the joy of a new closet staple. Used clothes are supposed to be cheaper, right?? Sure, shipping is expensive, but can’t a girl just buy a pair of jeans without coming into large amounts of debt? •

Mecca Osborne nostalgia

Walking the halls of Jackson-Reed is so surreal. Seeing faces you’ve known for potentially over a decade, or have grown up with is such a devastating feeling. Knowing that adulthood is just around the corner makes me nervous! While all of that may be true, I cannot wait to be independent and truly live. High school is simply a chapter in your life, a very important one at that. Never let issues get in the way of your education. It's important to never ever dwell on the past while the future is in front of you. •

Track team prospers at DCSAA indoor championships

Ali Green

Ruthie Mesfun Contributors

The Jackson-Reed indoor track and field team maintained their reputation with a strong showing at this year’s DCSAA state indoor championship.

The Tigers put together a solid performance, with the girls finishing fourth overall and the boys placing fifth. Standout performances included the boys 4x800m relay, which won second and set a school record, and the girls 4x200m relay, which also won second and secured a national-qualifying result.

In a thrilling—but ultimately bittersweet—finish, the boys 4x800m relay finished second to St. John’s by an incredibly slim margin. Both teams recorded times that broke the previous meet record, with the Tigers’ time of 8:14.95 falling just short of victory by 0.6.

Junior Mark Suardi, who ran the third leg of the 4x800, said the race had an unfortunate ending

but is proud of the team's effort. “We controlled the race from the start,” he said. Despite the result, the distance team is focusing on the smaller victories like the meet record. Suardi said it was a “pleasant surprise,” one that the team wasn’t even aiming for.

Other members of the boys distance team echoed this sentiment. Sophomore Arjun Bhat reflected on his fourth place finish in the 3200m, which fell just 1.2 seconds away from first place. “I know the time and the place wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I think it was a valuable experience in this state championship,” Bhat said. He also acknowledged the strength of the field: “It was still a great experience to race with them because I know they’re really fast people and they’ve won state titles before.” Bhat emphasized that he’ll be using this loss for momentum going into the outdoor season.

Another highlight from the meet was the girls 4x200m second place finish. Their time of 1:46.11 broke the school record and was enough to qualify them

for the New Balance Nationals in March. Third leg Olivia Purce said that the team “executed well for our first real relay, especially with the competition that we had. I think we held our own.”

Earlier this year, Purce competed with the same relay team in the DCIAA championship, running in the

Tiger Sharks win DCIAA title

Samuel Bensky Contributor

Jackson-Reed swimming has closed yet another successful year with a DCIAA championship under their belt, demonstrating their consistent dominance and skill.

Over the years, the Tiger Sharks have built a culture of winning. The program strives to train the best swim team in the DCIAA, with rigorous early morning practices and intense commitment.

The swimmers dedication this year paid off as the Tigers won their second consecutive DCIAA championship. Junior team captain Eddie Pangelinan noted they “haven’t lost a DC meet as long as [he’s] been here.”

After the DCIAA championship last year, the team turned their focus towards the following season, striving to continue their winning tradition despite losing several graduated talented swimmers.

This year, the Tiger Sharks exceeded expectations and won every DCIAA meet they participated in. Junior Elsa McIntyre acknowledged while they won, the success didn’t come easy: “Our team really had to step up to fill in their shoes, we definitely knew it wouldn’t be easy.” In the final meet of the season, the team showed up to defend their title as DCIAA champions, a final test to their newly structured team, capping off their undefeated season.

This abundance of victory has led to a unique culture on the team. Athletes on the swim team aren’t out to argue over every mistake they make, rather, they focus on the positive environment that makes the team what it is.

The shared experience of being on a winning team, communally putting your effort into something greater, is something not everyone has; these teammates' shared success breeds friendships that last far outside of the pool.

Pangelinan reflected on all

the friends he’s made over his years as a Tiger Shark as the team is “more connected than ever before.” With the season at a close, teammates return to their lives away from the pool, keeping in mind the importance of the next season, as well as the setbacks they will face.

As the school year’s end comes nearer, yet another group of seniors will graduate, leaving the Tiger Sharks to regroup and figure out what the team will look like next year. The transition at the beginning of a new season is always a rocky task, however, the team is more confident than ever.

“Next year, I think we’ll be able to keep winning, it’s not like the seniors carry the team,” sophomore Quinn Trieu said. With a successful end to the year, the team will look to keep sharpening their skills, protecting a legacy of JR swimming dominance that has been long fought to achieve over the years. •

4x400m instead of the 4x200m. They took home a decisive win and set a new meet record. Purce emphasized that the team is not satisfied yet, and is gearing up to maintain a strong mindset ahead of nationals and the outdoor season. “We know that we have more left in the tank and we could do better than we did, so each time we step on the track we’re just planning to do better than we did last time,” she said. When asked about how the team is preparing for the outdoor season, Purce said the team is ready. “We have to practice, keep training, and even when we aren’t competing or even outside of school, we need to just work.” •

Wrestling team takes steps forward during winter season

Joao Braga DeAntony Joyner Contributors

Jackson-Reed boasts some of the most well-known and successful sports programs. Ranging from basketball to lacrosse, many of our teams have historically dominated their respective competitions. Yet, despite not being as wellknown as other JR sports teams, the wrestling team's rapid rise is something to be noted.

Through the hard work of both the student-athletes and coaches alike, the wrestling program has become a force to be reckoned with in both DCIAA and DSCAA competition. In all, they've proved to be one of the most successful sports programs at JR.

Following an extremely successful 2023-24 season, the wrestling team was faced with the major challenge of rebuilding their

team. Junior team captain Max Tatton reflected on the rebuild: “We lost a lot of good seniors last year, this season we [focused] on getting our numbers back up. We’ve got a lot of new people this year, a lot of new underclassmen.”

Although the team was not able to replicate the success of the previous season, with the Tigers placing second in the DCIAA and fourth in DSCAA competitions, there were many highlights throughout the season. Sophomore Nikita Andrew took first in DCIAA championships and second in states while junior Alex Ouzts placed second in states and finished first in the DCIAA competition.

The future looks bright for the wrestling program, as new underclassmen join the team to continuously train and refine their skills. The team is excited to get back to work and find new success. •

Sonora Hale

PHOTO BY DANIEL KREPPS

RUNNING IT BACK - Senior Harry Bertsch and junior Mark Suardi competing in the DCIAA championship meet last month. The Tigers maintained their stellar track reputation this season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSON-REED SWIMMING

DCIAA CHAMPS - A Tiger Shark swimmer powers forward in the freestyle event. The team would end the year with a DCIAA Title.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSON-REED WRRESTLING

HIDDEN GEM - The JR wrestling team wins second place at DCIAA's last year.

Lunch basketball unites students

Cole Andersen Contributor

The SGA intramural basketball tournament is something both basketball players and non-athletes can look forward to each year.

The teams are self-picked and, for better or worse, the names are too. Most of the fun stems from the unchecked nature of the games, where refs let the games play out and let the sidelines run wild.

In one game, between wellcoached teams YC Darius Day and Omar BC, the sidelines got riled up and almost instigated a fight between the teams—twice. But honestly, it’s all just a part of the fun. Sophomore Jack Klein, who plays for YC Darius, said that his favorite part about SGA basketball was “the opportunity to be teammates with [his] friends” and to have a “unique experience playing a sport that [he] doesn’t get to play very often.” The nature of these games seems light-hearted from a viewer’s perspective, but often, it is not. As sophomore playercoach Maizon Ellis of the team Driscoll Brown said, “it looks fun ‘til you get in the game.”

Emotions run high between these teams, and winning actually matters a lot to the

WOMEN'S HISTORY

from page 1

Standout performances came from athletes including Syracuse commit senior Indie WallacePersaud-Persaud, senior Amalya Westray, junior Olivia Purce, and sophomore Ariele Westray, under the leadership of female hhead ccoach Tia Clemmons.

Holding an eight-game winning streak during their season, the women's JR basketball team has demonstrated serious development and dedication this year. Currently ranked third in DCIAA and second in DCSAA class A, the Tigers have amassed 16 wins this season and are advancing to DCSAA playoffs.

In October, the girls' varsity soccer team reclaimed its DCIAA title in a decisive victory against the Walls Penguins. Spearheaded by their new female head coach Kelle Bevine, the team remained undefeated in their regular season, finishing with an impressive 18-3 record. Standout athletes include Emerson College commit senior Rowan McCrary, Pratt Institute commit senior Josey Kanach, senior Ema Blanco, and senior Clara Durante.

Female head coach of the varsity volleyball team, Dr. Perette Arrington, achieved a historic milestone this

players. Sophomore Will Hewitt was a victim of these tense emotions and was voted to be fired by his team. However, he said that he was “coaching a sorry team anyway.” Though Hewitt felt that his team was subpar, they still forced him into retirement, and went on to win three straight games after he departed under the new leadership of head coach sophomore Jayden Campbell. This team is looking to make a run for the championship, but undefeated, older teams like Shake N Bake loom large in their path.

These games do not lack talent, either. Many of the teams, including the Gonzers, are even filled with former JR basketball players, ready to make a statement and prove that they aren’t washed, they’re better than ever. When walking into the gym during lunch, it is not a rare sight to see Baltimore Bucket’s senior Aidan Giles throwing down dunks over opposing teams and beating teams like Mayne Klayne Hoops by 47 points, an absolute rout of a game.

Not all these games are blowouts, though. The intense game between the Gonzers and Cheeky Records had to have been by far the best game I have seen played during the lunch

season, surpassing 500 career wins with JR. The team has secured over 20 DCIAA titles, remaining dominant in the DC volleyball realm. With over seven athletes named for the DCSAA All-State team and two mentioned in the Washington Post All-Met, the Tigers has skillfully remained on top.

The girls' Division 1 bowling team has won two DCIAA bowling tournaments in the last decade, establishing its presence in a sport often overlooked. Similarly, the wrestling team has made significant strides in a traditionally male-dominated field, with an increasing number of female athletes joining the team. Most notably, sophomore Joy Brown won the 2025 DCSAA Girls Wrestling Invitational.

Currently ranked 15th in the nation, the girls' ultimate frisbee team continues to excel on a national level, having been ranked ninth last year. Constantly putting in work out on the field, the team has consistently attended the High School National Invite,

league yet. The game ended in a triple overtime tie, shut down by teachers after the hundreds of students gathered around the court to watch the sudden-death stakes ending were to be late to class. Junior Nabi Yemane, a player on Cheeky Records, could be seen walking off the court with a bloodied mouth, caught by another player’s elbow. This game almost escalated into a brawl, with coaches, players, and students storming the court after a hard foul on Gonzers player and junior Tigers JV basketball alumni Isaak Grieff, while going up for a layup on the baseline. Referee and JV boys’ basketball coach at JR Danny Larios said that from a ref’s standpoint, there are many “commotions in the game, [and] a lot of students want calls to be made.”

So far, the number one ranked team and heavy favorite to win the championship is Shake N Bake. However, they have had some pretty close games, and have not proved to be a dominant force. Truly, the crown of 2025 SGA basketball champions is up for grabs for any team that has the chance to take it. •

Girls' soccer honored by MPD award

The varsity girls’ soccer team and their head coach, Kelle Bevine, have been selected for the Chief Pamela A. Smith Youth Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This award recognizes the team's exemplary studentathletes for their achievement and the coaches for helping foster a positive community.

Director of the MPD’s Office of Communications Cynthia Puryear describes the award’s main purpose as encouraging student athletes, especially ones who have “overcome significant personal obstacles and challenges,” similar to “Chief Smith’s own childhood experience.” She also mentions that the most important aspect of a police department is building a relationship with the community it serves and protects.

The award is a way of strengthening the relationship with a vital part of the community, the younger generation. “They are the community today, tomorrow, and beyond. Every young person deserves a safe environment in which to grow, learn, and prepare for the future,” said Puryear.

a prestigious national ultimate frisbee tournament hosting the top-ranked 16 teams in the country.

Looking ahead, girls' varsity softball has recently completed tryouts for its varsity team, a program that has produced multiple female DC All-State First Team athletes. Girls’ lacrosse season has just finalized its roster and will continue to display talent, grit, and hard work on the field. JR girls’ varsity crew team hopes to also make big strides this spring season, after a successful winter training season indoors.

The female sports at JR are a force to be reckoned with. While student attention often gravitates toward the achievements of their male counterparts, it is time to give recognition to the skill, dedication, and excellence of our female student-athletes. With the guidance of a female Athletic Director, JR’s female sports programs have thrived, continuing to break records, secure championships, and break barriers. The dominance of these teams demonstrates the collective strength, perseverance, and teamwork that define women’s athletics.

did not play as much, and she made every player feel valued both on and off the field. There was constant praise given to us, as well as new ways to improve.”

Bevine affirmed that “the positive team culture that we achieved” was equally as impressive as their record and win of DCIAA championships. “It was more than just winning games.”

Blanco added on, saying how well they worked together, “Everyone was super committed, and that connection showed in the way we played.” Alex Cohen, a junior defender on the team, even credits winning the award to this: “The team earned this award because of the way we came together on and off the field and how we, as a collective, were able to create a family.”

The girls' soccer studentathletes believe that this honor truly reflects the hard work they’ve put into the season.

Senior midfielder Ema Blanco said that “this year, we’ve played some of our best soccer, and I’m really proud that our effort was recognized.” The team had an impressive overall record of 18 wins, three losses, two ties, and an undefeated record in the DCIAA league. This strength was matched with stellar GPAs, almost all between 4.0 and 5.0.

Bevine caught the MPD’s attention with her own excellence, loyalty, and dedication to the team. She has not only played the sport herself at the college level, but has also earned a “C” license from the US Soccer Federation. Senior right wing captain Olivia Heinemann highlighted the advantageous transparency of Bevine’s coaching style: “Reasons would be provided to those who

The award ceremony took place during the MPD’s Women’s Conference 2025 on March 6, with the theme “INSPIRED: Women Connecting with a Purpose.” It was held to create a supportive and inspiring environment where women from various agencies in the DMV can come together and discuss the unique challenges that women often face in honor of Women’s History Month. It also is helping fulfill the MPD’s commitment to the 30x30 Initiative, which focuses on advancing women and supporting their representation, experiences, and well-being at all levels of law enforcement, seeing as women currently only represent less than 14% of sworn officers.

“You matter. You have wonderful things to offer,” Puryear reassured students, “You may not even know it yet, but you do. We love our students and we want you to be safe, healthy, happy, and to win soccer matches. We are cheering for you at MPD.”

This recognition not only serves as farewell and final success for the seniors, but a boost for the next season. “To me this award continues the legacy of Jackson Reed Soccer. We are a strong program that aims high, bringing energy and excitement through each step of the journey,” sophomore goalie Lucy Carroll said. •

Grace Harscheid Junior Editor

PHOTO BY GRACE HARSCHEID

SOCCER STARS - The JR girls' soccer team is honored with the MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith Youth Leadership award.

GRAPHIC BY SAMUEL LEE

GIRLS BOYS

from page 1

ranked opponents and finished 24-8 overall. But the team fell short in both the DCIAA championship to Cardozo, 53-52, and in the DCSAA state tournament semifinal to Gonzaga, who was ranked ninth in the country at the time, 65-58.

“This season was definitely fun and very competitive, I feel like we grew a lot both as basketball players and as young men,” said senior guard Pete Newman. “I do wish that we would have finished the season stronger, but I feel that every last one of us has grown from the beginning of the season until now.”

With the difficult schedule and the loss of seven key graduates, some wrote off the team’s chances. Reloading the team with seven new players, the Tigers were met with the challenge of playing 10 private schools, two of which were WCAC opponents, while participating in five regional showcases.

Some marquee wins this season were over Bullis, Friendship Tech Prep, Glenelg Country, Iona Prep, and Riverdale Baptist. In conference, big regular season victories were over Cardozo and in overtime against Coolidge. The 2024-25 winter marked another year where JR went undefeated during regular season conference play. The Tigers haven’t lost a home game since 2022.

“Overall the season was solid, but it wasn’t a complete success because we as a program believe in ‘championship or bust,’” said head coach David “Tee” Johnson. “We weren’t able to win the DCIAA or play in the state championship final, so it was solid for the team. I wouldn’t call it a complete loss of a season, but this offseason it’s about getting back to work.”

Johnson noted how the team’s response to the DCIAA loss is what led toward a state semifinal appearance for a fourth consecutive year. “The guys could have quit after the Cardozo game and they didn’t. They fought for the bigger prize and we had a good showing in all three state games,” added Johnson. “I feel against Gonzaga, if we had a couple more shots fall for us, if a couple of mistakes didn’t get made, we would’ve had an opportunity to win at the end.”

During their state run, the team beat Parkside, 93-49, in the first round, secured a testy road win over Friendship Tech Prep, 69-62, in the quarterfinals, and then came close to upsetting Gonzaga in the semifinals.

“After the [Cardozo] loss we came together and talked about what needed for us to make a state run. We reminded each other to stay disciplined and levelheaded,” said senior forward Marley Park. “Coach Tee reminded us to never get too high and never get too low. I feel like the reason we lost the DCIAA championship is because we got too high from winning and thought it was going to be an easy game.”

“Even though we came up short I think we gave a really good effort in states and turned things around a little bit and let the city know that we’re still here,” added Park.

That sentiment is something the program will look to carry over the course of the off-season leading up to next December. The goal is to develop the current athletes, add pieces to the roster, and begin the road back to deep contention into the postseason along with claiming the DCIAA championship once again.

The team has seven underclassmen returning, which gives optimism headed into the off-season.

“The confidence level never leaves us, it’s just about us getting back in the lab and getting better than what we came into this year as,” said junior guard Dawit Abraham. “We now have a chip on our shoulder not winning anything this year, so coming into this off-season it's going to be personal to the returners.” •

from page 1

Stephon Seraile stepped in as head coach, alongside assistant coaches Aireon Boone, Dave Mason, Lawrence Leonard, and Kelly Oeltjenbruns. “My biggest takeaway is seeing the girls gel together since I first got here,” said Mason. “Everyday coming to practice is something new, we have a great time together and just being a part of their lives as coaches is special.”

Although the team fell short of their goals this season as semifinalists in both the city and state tournaments, the Tigers finished 17-7 overall in their first year with new leadership.

To begin the year, their preseason confidence was not initially reflected in the team’s performance, with standout losses to Bishop O’Connell and Georgetown Visitation. However, they quickly got back on track as DCIAA conference play came underway. A close win over School Without Walls, 48-43, and commanding wins over foes from previous years, 48-18 over Dunbar and 61-41 over Friendship Collegiate Academy, quickly erased the early losses. The one blemish in their run was a 69-46 loss to Eastern, and the Tigers held an overall record of 4-3 going into winter break.

As for what gave the Tigers the upper hand at the beginning of the season, “we formed and melded together as a team, which I didn’t think would happen as quickly as we did,” said junior guard Lucia Nawar. “This year we really came together, and we’re all really good friends on and off the court, so I would say that that helped us.”

The Tigers would ring in the new year with an impressive run, dominating DCIAA conference play, and beating a GDS team in the regular season that beat them in the DCSAA championship the previous year. However, this run would come to an end at the hands of Coolidge, who defeated the Tigers 81-45. The girls quickly picked up the pieces though, and closed out the regular season with several good results, including a 20 point win over Banneker, another solid DCIAA team.

Going into the DCIAA playoffs, the expectations that the team set for themselves were lofty but clear: to win. With the momentum they had gained by the end of the regular season, the Tigers had a good chance at getting their first DCIAA championship since 2016, as the third seed. After a comfortable 44-16 victory over Theodore Roosevelt in the quarterfinals, the Tigers traveled to Eastern, looking to exact revenge for their loss earlier in the season. However, things didn’t go as planned and, going into halftime, the Tigers faced a deficit of 16 points.

“Ordinarily most people would want to give up at that point, but we felt very positive about that, we thought we could be right there if we get a few stops,” explained Leonard. “But the rebounding was something we didn’t do a great job of, handing them second-chance opportunities, and then they started getting hot, and before you knew it it snowballed.”

Coming out of the half, frustration got the best of the Tigers. Despite their initial confidence, passing mistakes and turnovers, as well as being dominated in rebounds allowed Eastern to go on a run to start the second half, leading them to a comfortable victory.

In the DCSAA Class A bracket, the Tigers would have the number two seed, making a third straight appearance in the championship game a very strong possibility. With the Tigers looking to turn around their fortunes from their previous trips to the championship, it appeared that they would have to overcome a familiar foe.

“Looking at the bracket, it looks like we will play Eastern in the championship again,” stated junior guard Ava Piotrowski.

“So we have to work on our passes, work on boxing out in the gym, getting our shots up, and just work on trusting one another.”

However, things would not go as planned.

Following a fairly comfortable win over McKinley Tech in the DCSAA quarterfinals, the Tigers went into the semifinals against GDS at Georgetown full of confidence. After leading a close first half, the Tigers failed to jump at an opportunity to pull away in the fourth quarter, as Hoppers would continue to eat at the lead and eventually force overtime, where the Tigers would fall by four points, 76-72. •

Top: GOT HOOPS? - Senior guard Pete Newman attempts a layup in game versus Cesar Chavez. The Tigers fell to Gonzaga in the state semifinals. Bottom: BOUNCIN' AROUND - Junior guard Lucia Nawar dribbles her way down the court. The girls' varsity basketball team finished the season 17-7.

PHOTOS BY ELI SCHWARTZ

RECRUITMENT ... Baseball makes history with record number of commitments

Justin Glenn

The baseball program surpassed a milestone this offseason with ten players, one junior and nine seniors, committed to play baseball at the collegiate level.

“Our program has always been able to get guys into college. I played in the program myself and I was able to play college baseball,” said varsity baseball head coach Robinson Mateo, a Wilson 2012 alum. “Having a deep 2025 class has challenged me to get as many of those seniors into college. Not just for academics, but also for being able to continue to play the game that they love.”

With 13 seniors on the team this year, Mateo called his 2025 class “special” for their relationships formed. “These guys have been playing together since their freshman year and they are more than just teammates, they are family.”

The complete list of 2025 commits are as follows: Gabriel

Betancourt to Montgomery College, Simon Corbin to Macalester College, Ethan Fox-Fernandez to Vassar College, Freeman Hunt and Zander Leckszas to Dickinson College, Jackson Loomis to Denison University, Owen Stone to Emory University, and Etan and Evan Rosario to Shepherd University.

“It says a lot about the dedication of the JacksonReed players and coaches. The players do not let any challenges, whether on or off the field, hold them back,” said Leckszas. “Every year I’ve played it has been a different experience, but the main constants have been great coaches and a brotherhood within the team,” added Loomis.

Leckszas is the second player in his family to go through the JR baseball program and get recruited to a college. His older brother, Kai, graduated from Jackson-Reed in 2022 and currently plays at

Georgetown University. Junior Nelson Hayes joined the list of JR players committed to Georgetown’s baseball program. Hayes is the first Tiger to commit to a Division I program since Kai Leckszas three years ago.

“I give a lot of credit to my coaches over the years, who were crucial in getting me in front of Georgetown as much as I have and supporting me throughout the process,” said Hayes.

“These two seasons have been some of the most fun I’ve had in my life.” Since joining the varsity program, Mateo said Hayes has come a long way. “We knew he had the potential to play Division I baseball, it was just a matter of time with his development,” said Mateo. “He was young, so we knew that when he matured a little bit more, he was going to be a huge piece to our success.”

The program wanted to get college decisions largely out of the way before the season started, in order to prevent distractions for

Recruited athletes share their experience

Edith Corrigan Conaty Maya Roskes Managing Editor Spread Editor

This year, over 30 upperclassmen were recruited to play their sport in college. “Recruitment” describes the lengthy process of visits, scouting, evaluations, and the narrowing down of offers. For many athletes in the graduating class, this was their reality during junior and senior year.

“I’m really excited. I know it’s going to be a lot more rigorous, but I can’t really imagine myself not playing a sport,” said senior Sydney Mabry, who will play tennis at Penn State Brandywine next year. Senior Miranda Miller, who will be rowing for the Williams crew team, also noted that she’s “excited to be able to go into college with an already formed, built in group.” While many are eager to further their athletic career, the journey to get there contains immense effort, hard decisions, and

a consistently high performance.

When entering the recruitment process, athletes should compile a “balanced list of schools that are attainable and some schools that are more hard to reach,” said Miller. Additionally, athletes note that students should evaluate their priorities before reaching out to and ultimately selecting their school.”

Wilson Holman, who will be playing D1 soccer at Temple next year, included that along with playing soccer his whole life and wanting to continue playing, getting recruited “saved my parents a lot of money.”

Basketball player JJ Massaquoi had various priorities, and received multiple offers from schools such as Howard and American University. He decided to commit to Umass Lowell as he “[didn’t] want to let go of the opportunity of having the school pay for it, [it’s] D1, [has a] great arena, great coaching staff, and since they’re losing a bunch of seniors, the opportunity [for playing

time] was there as a freshman.”

Miller noted that in her selection of schools, she wanted “somewhere where I could prioritize academics and where athletics would only be a supplement to my education, not a detraction.” In fact, in compiling her list of colleges to look at, she found the overlap in places she knew she would want to attend anyways, even without crew.

“Ideally, the school you ultimately commit to should be one that you would be happy to go to even without sports.” Miller highlighted that a common misconception about the recruitment process is “the assumption that everyone who goes D3 only did it because they couldn’t go D1.”

Holman stresses that the biggest misconception is that “the school’s do not come to you; you have to consistently reach out and always make sure that you’re being seen.” He adds that it’s difficult to stand out, as “you’re going against everyone else in the country.”

Mabry, realizing that scouts wouldn’t often come to her matches due to tennis being not as popular as other sports in DC, had to especially ensure that she stood out. She recommends that “knowing how to word your emails and being a team player in general will make you stick out to coaches.”

When faced with these various challenges, Massaqoi advises to “stay true to yourself, you’re running your own race.” Massaqoi experienced moments of doubt and wondered what he was doing wrong and why he wasn’t getting higher offers,

Noa Gordon Sports Editors

Zinnia Deora Tufts University

Zander Leckszas Dickinson College

Wilson Holman Temple University

Sydney Mabry PSU Brandywine

Sophie Folds Bard College

Simon Corbin Macalester College

Rowan McCrary Emerson College

Quinn McInerney Skidmore College

Owen Stone Emory University

Norah Caplan Carelton College

Noah Person Wheeling University

Nelson Hayes Georgetown

Miranda Miller Williams College

Maxwell Fotter Wheaton College

Mason Wetzel US Naval Academy

Lily Carr Stanford University

RECRUITMENT ...

with commitments

players and so they wouldn’t have to worry.

“I know how that waiting game feels. It’s very uncomfortable, especially when you don’t know where you’re going,” said Mateo, noting the weight of uncertainty weighing throughout the offseason.

As defending city and state champions, a distraction free season is important, as the program has constructed a schedule filled with nationally recognized competition. The Tigers will play twelve private schools total and six schools in a row to begin the season. The team feels that the work put in over the summer, fall, and winter workouts has led to earned confidence.

“I have a lot of confidence going into the spring, and I think all the other guys do as well. We are better than we have been in a long time,” said Leckszas. “Now that we have won a [state title] before, we know what it takes to do it again. We will make sure to do anything possible to make that happen.” •

experience

but said it “just motivates you to play harder. I just had to keep proving my worth, and that’s what I decided to do.”

At the end of the recruitment journey, the athletes are all looking forward to playing at a competitive level and having a tight-knit community when entering college. After a tumultuous process of highs and lows, one message remains clear for athletes looking to be recruited: “just be optimistic and don’t shut down any school. Don’t put your eggs in one basket,” concluded

Q&A WITH AD ARRINGTON

Norah Caplan Director of New Staff

Few people know the ins and outs of recruiting like Athletic Director Patrice Arrington. Once a star-studded recruit equipped with an athletic scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, Arrington went on to play professional volleyball in seven different countries as well as earning a roster spot on the US volleyball national team. She then coached collegiately at Fordham University before beginning her tenure as an athletic director first for Flint Hill High School, and now for Jackson-Reed. She has worked with dozens of studentathletes to help them navigate the recruiting process and achieve their goals. In terms of recruiting advice, there seems to be no one more qualified. If you’re looking for a little extra help with your own recruitment or are interested in what it takes to play a sport collegiately, here are a few questions Arrington has answered describing the ins and outs of recruiting.

Q: What is the first piece of advice you would give someone just beginning their recruiting journey?

A: I would definitely tell them to make a list of schools that they want to play at and a list of schools they want to go to—and they should be the same. I also always, always say that it is your own process. I think a lot of kids get caught up in their teammates committing and their friends signing, but everyone has their own process. If you don’t take it as an individual, it’s going to drive you crazy. It can get mental and very hard, but you should be enjoying the process. Someone wants you to come to their school—they think enough of your athletic ability that they want you to join their team and join their community—and that is very exciting.

Q: What is the biggest mistake you see athletes make throughout the recruiting process?

A: Going somewhere because [an athlete] thinks they aren’t going to get any [other offers] since they are surrounded by friends/teammates that are committing. Then they get to the school and it’s not really where they want to be, so they end up transferring. I’ve seen that a lot.

Q: What is your advice to those trying to determine if they want to continue their sport collegiately?

A: I would say high school is [a] huge learning process of deciding “do I really want to play my sport beyond this?” How was your experience: did you love it, did you love the practices, did you love the hard work, did you love the commitment? All of that gets taken [into account] because college is an even bigger commitment. It’s 6 AM workouts, your classes have to be right after that because then you have weight room, team meetings, and then you have practice followed by study hall. It’s a huge, huge commitment so if you don’t love it, or if you’re not passionate about it in high school, you’re not going to all of a sudden be passionate about it in college.

Q: Why would you recommend playing a sport in college?

A: Sports in general just brings people together. I think you just learn so much being a part of a team [as] it brings time management, builds character, and teaches you leadership skills. You feel a part of a family [and] when you are going somewhere new you have an instant group of friends. For me, as an athlete, I feel like my team is my family and I will fight to the nails for them. Playing a sport just makes [for] an overall better experience.

If you have the passion and drive to continue your sport collegiately, the recruiting process should be thrilling, not daunting. As Arrington reminds us that “it should be exciting [that] programs want you to play at their school, not stressful.” So, if you are interested in pursuing an athletic career in college—go for it! And if you ever need advice, feel free to stop by room A300. •

Ethan Fox-Fernandez Vassar College

Eden Grim Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Dani Wallace Elon University

Celia Joldersma College of Wooster

Adler Amolsch Duke University

Lia Pollock Michigan State

Kate Booth UW-Madison

Josey Kanach Pratt University

JJ Massaquoi UMass Lowell

Jack Corrigan Conaty Kenyon College Gabriel Betancourt Montgomery College

Jackson Loomis Denison University

Indie Wallace-Persaud Syracuse University

Freeman Hunt Dickinson College

Evan Rosario Shepherd University

Etan Rosario Shepherd University

GRAPHIC BY SAMUEL LEE

PHOTOS BY ELI SCHWARTZ

Javier Thompson

Sarah Weisenfelder Opinions Editor

Section Copy Editor

Welcome to “Are You Smarter than a Freshman?” Today, our contestants are social studies teacher Matthew Burgoyne and freshman Vivian Collier. In this game, we take one random teacher and put them head-to-head with one random freshman. They will answer a set of 10 questions across various subjects. Contestants are also provided with one lifeline of their choice. Test your knowledge by answering some questions yourself. The real answers are at the bottom of the page. Without further ado, let's find out who’s smarter!

Q: What award show did Kanye famously interrupt Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech?

Vivian: The Grammys

Mr. B: The VMAs

Q: What day is Earth Day?

Vivian: April 22 (accompanied by a dance because it falls on the

Are you smarter than a freshman?

same day as her birthday)

Mr. B: April 22

Q: What is the largest desert in the world?

Vivian: The Sahara Desert

Mr. B: Gobi? (stroked his chin), Sahara? (paced in front of the smartboard), Antarctica! *took too long to respond so a point was not awarded*

Q: How many months have 28 days?

Vivian: One

Mr. B: One…wait…twelve

Q: What is the first day of spring called?

Vivian: Groundhog Day

Mr. B: Spring Equinox

Q: What is the name of one of Trisha Paytas’s children?

Vivian: Malibu Barbie *used lifeline*

Mr. B: Elvis (fastest answer)

Q: What was the fourth question we asked?

Vivian: What’s the first day of Spring called

Mr. B: What's the largest desert in the world?

Q: What is the formula for the circumference of a circle?

Vivian: 2r

Mr. B: πr^2

Q: If you have a bowl of six apples and take away four of them, how many do you have?

Vivian: Four

Mr. B: Four

Q: What author wrote ‘ Matilda ,’ ‘ The BFG ,’ and ‘ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’

Vivian: Roald Dahl

Mr. B: Roald Dahl *Used lifeline*

The winner of this “Are You Smarter than a Freshman?” round is…Mr. B! With a score of seven, he came out on top with three more correct answers than freshman Vivian.

Keep up with your facts. Who knows, you may be the next contestant in the “Are You Smarter than a Freshman?”!

2πr (9) Four (10) Roald Dahl •

Malibu Barbi and Elvis (7) How many months have 28 days? (8)

Answers: (1) The VMAs (2) April 22 (3) Antarctica (4) All of them (5) Spring Equinox (6)

Meet biology teacher Mr. Flack

Every student has a reason for having a favorite teacher and, for us, we value one’s ability to create a warm, welcoming environment. We’d like to introduce you to our favorite biology teacher: Robert Flack, Honors and AP Biology teacher! During lunch as you walk into his room, you will see tables filled with students, some doing AP revisions, but others just there to hang out and relax.

Flack grew up with his family in Long Island, then went to study at Ithaca College and City University of New York. Also… surprise, Flack was a Marine! He initially joined the Marine Corps to play saxophone because it “seemed like a good idea” and he wanted to travel, which took him from Kansas City to the Rocky Mountains to Canada. He joked that the job was worth it as “it offered free healthcare.”

Flack has been a science teacher since 2019, but that wasn’t always his dream. After initially learning to play piano in elementary school, he later developed a love for the saxophone when he saw his high school band playing the theme from Jurassic Park. Moving forward, he knew he had to be a saxophonist. Since high school, Flack has done it all in his music career; he has played at Mardi Gras in New Orleans and halftime shows and playoff games for the NFL.

Flack eventually moved to DC during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is when he began working at Jackson-Reed. He loves working here because of the welcoming and diverse community of faculty and students. He especially enjoys the company of the other biology teachers and biomed teachers: “I

FANTASTIC MR. FLACK - Biology teacher Robert Flack initially wanted to become a teacher to share his passion for music, but now shares his love for the sciences in Honors and AP Biology.

don’t get out that much, but I do enjoy the other science teams”.

Flack has a passion for teaching and has wanted to be a teacher since he was young. Originally he wanted to be a music teacher to share his passion for music with others. However, that changed when he realized teaching music wasn’t his strong suit. “I wanted something for myself,” Flack reflected. He realized that he didn’t want to have to share his passion and could branch out into other subjects. He began to teach biology, which he found he was better at, but never stopped playing music. He enjoys teaching high school in particular because he gets to meet students as freshmen and later see some of them as juniors and seniors taking AP Biology. “It’s rewarding to see how people grow,” Flack said.

Flack’s love for teaching high school students comes from his joy in interacting with real people. “You guys have personalities, you are less annoying, and it's never a boring day,” he said. Flack shared that if he had to pick between Honors and

AP Biology, AP Biology would be his favorite. He feels the older students have more life experiences, which makes teaching more interesting, and that when they take AP Biology, they “actually want to learn that. The AP Biology class also includes better content, goes way more in depth, and has far more connections to current sciences.”

When we asked if he had any advice for his students, Flack said that he doesn’t like to give advice as each person has their own journey and needs to find their own way in life. He did note that it was important “to be kind to yourself and others and be curious.” He also says you should always be curious about why things are the way they are.

Today, Flack continues to play saxophone, playing recently at the Black Cat, a local DC bar. He lives in DC with his partner and two dogs, Rey and Finn, enjoys the friendship of other teachers and their families, and is currently pursuing a masters of science in bioinformatics through Brandeis University. •

The life of Eleanor Holmes Norton

Avani Patel Junior Editor

Eleanor Holmes Norton has been DC's congresswomen for 34 years. She was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement and is known for breaking gender barriers throughout her long career; she has long defended the rights of others to equal opportunity.

Norton was born in 1937 and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1955 as a member of their last segregated class. She continued her education at Antioch College, and later graduated from Yale University with a Masters of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

Norton was an important organizer in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and participated in sit-ins in DC, Maryland, and Ohio. She traveled to Mississippi Freedom Summer and contributed to the 1970 anthology “Sisterhood is Powerful: An Anthology of Writings from The Women’s Liberation Movement.”

In the early 1970s, Norton signed the Black Woman's Manifesto, a pamphlet distributed by the Third World Women's Alliance, focusing on feminism, especially for African American women.

In 1970, Norton represented 60 women who filed a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against their employer, Newsweek, claiming they only allowed men to be reporters. The women won, and Newsweek allowed women to become reporters. President Jimmy Carter

later appointed Norton as the chair of the EEOC; she became the first female lead of the agency. She later became a law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center.

In 1991, Norton was elected to her first term in Congress representing DC. Though delegates to Congress from DC are entitled to sit in the House of Representatives, vote in committee, and offer amendments, they are not allowed to participate in legislative floor votes.

In 2009, a bill that would grant the District of Columbia a voting representative to the US House of Representatives, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009 was presented to Congress. Strongly supported by Norton, the legislation stalled in the House and failed to pass prior to the end of the 111th Congress. In addition, Norton has worked on several important pieces of legislation in her time in office, including the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 which aimed to enhance the ability of Americans to track and understand how the US government is spending their tax dollars.

In 2017, Norton was awarded the Coretta Scott King Legacy Award from the Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom, and in 2020 she was given the title of Honoree by the National Women’s History Alliance. This year, Norton will be entering her 34th year in office. She is currently a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus. •

PHOTOS BY JAVIER THOMPSON

Tessa Frantz Avani Patel Junior Editors

PHOTO BY JULIAN DURBIN

From behind the desk: Alumni return to teach at JR

Natalia Weinstein Cecelia Grant Junior Editors

When it comes to the Jackson-Reed community, we are lucky to have both new and old teachers from a variety of backgrounds who sat in the very same seats as students and decided to return as staff.

Fatima Melendez, a student at Jackson-Reed from 2010 to 2014, returned to the school to teach Algebra II in 2023, and now teaches AP Precalculus.

Originally from El Salvador, Melendez came to DC in 2000 at the age of four, where she attended Amidon (now Amadon-Bowen) Elementary School for one year, followed by Oyster-Adams, then JR (formerly Wilson). During her time at JR, Melendez focused on her studies, also playing ultimate frisbee during her senior year.

Following her time at JR, she attended University of the District of Columbia (UDC) for her

undergraduate education, before student teaching at Eastern High School. Since returning to JR as a staff member, Melendez has enjoyed teacher perks like finally being able to use the elevator. In her first week as a teacher, she was recognized left and right by people she forgot she knew from her school days. Melendez now enjoys teaching alongside her former teachers, like social studies teacher Robert Geremia.

“It’s funny,” Geremia stated. “Most of them still call me Mr. Geremia, but some of them will call me by my first name which was funny to get used to for a second.” Geremia calls teaching alongside his former students a “pleasure,” as he witnesses them giving back to the community.

JR alumna Kristina Johnson returned to the school to serve as the assistant varsity volleyball coach before taking her position as the 10th grade dean. A DC native, Johnson attended Hardy Middle School, followed by her

time at JR. Johnson emphasizes the evident differences she sees between the then-Wilson and now Jackson-Reed, noting how “Wilson knew how to have fun.” Johnson sees these differences as a result of the changes regarding technology in our generation from hers. She explained how while the modern focus on technology in our generation may be fun, it does seem to set us aside into “our own zone” as we are less aware of what’s going on around us. During her time as a student, Johnson enjoyed the three-plus dances which occurred each year, alongside a more spirited football team fan section, something our school currently lacks. Johnson now appreciates getting to work alongside her former teachers Belle Belew and Eric McMillan.

Chris Rickard is a current Algebra II and AP Prec-Calculus teacher at Jackson-Reed, but he used to walk the hallways as a student. Born in DC, Rickard attended Lafayette Elementary

School, Alice Deal Middle School, and then JR from 2007-2011. Rickard described his time as a student at JR as being positively chaotic. Students learned how to fend for themselves, pushing them to mature, which he enjoyed the freedom of. Rickard rowed as a member of the crew program and participated on the debate team. He then attended Tufts University, additionally enjoying a semester abroad in Jordan.

Post-graduation, Rickard returned to DC, where he had an internship on Capitol Hill and then a job doing political ads for a television advertising firm, all while coaching the Jackson-Reed crew team. “I realized I was having a lot more fun coaching than I was at my job, so I quit my job.” Rickard then spent one trial run year as the “book room clerk,” managing school textbooks, in addition to helping students at the College and Career Center with college essays. After confirming he

A peek into a hidden gem of the AU

One of the more unknown museum in DC is the American University Museum, just a 20-minute walk from JR, located on the main campus of American University in the Katzen Arts Center. I visited the museum on a random Saturday and was blown away by the variety of art offered.

The first piece of artwork visitors see is Fred Folsom’s “Last Call at the Shepherd Park Go-Go Bar.” The oil painting was inspired by Folsom’s peoplewatching at the suburban Maryland nightclub. It features patrons in various states of inebriation, the most arresting being two men pictured midbrawl. The Last Call series serves as an introduction to Folsom’s surrealist work. Also by Folsom, the next exhibit features Women Smoking. The series of 23 paintings consists mostly of women smoking in the nude in the comfort of their vintage homes. The exhibit can

only be described as surprising and uncanny, especially with the morbid context provided by Folsom: “Cigarettes killed my mom at 58 and my sister Susan at 30.” The theme of Women Smoking is especially evident in Danse Macabre (Dance of Death), a painting focused on a woman dancing with a skeleton. A toddler observes the scene, smoking a cigarette from a stool in the corner, while the entire painting is lit by the neon of a retro jukebox.

The second exhibit on the first floor is Looking For Mushrooms, a short film and series of ink sketches by Bruce Conner. The sketches predominantly consist of winged figures and other creatures drawn from Mexican culture, which Conner discovered after moving to Mexico City with his wife, Jean Conner, due to paranoia that an atomic bomb would be dropped on San Francisco, his previous home. Commer’s sketches were also influenced by his use of psychedelics, hence the exhibit’s name. The 16-minute

film “Looking For Mushrooms” is Conner’s first color film and comprises images of rural Mexico. Dark noise and constant sounds of nature make up the unsettling soundtrack.

The second floor is home to A Sight to Behold, the AU museum’s permanent installation of 19th and 20thcentury American landscape paintings. A Sight to Behold might not be the most interesting exhibit but it is by far the most impressive one. From snowy prairies to arid deserts to the humid Italian landscapes, there are paintings for everyone. Many pieces also feature animals, like cows; my favorite was Peter Moran’s “Pastoral Landscape.”

The painting is an image of about seven cows (and a calf!) staring directly ahead at the viewer; above the peaceful scene, ominous dark clouds are rolling into view. Overall, the attention to detail in each painting featured is truly a sight to behold. The second floor is also home to a few Otho Branson paintings. Branson’s work is mainly repetitive checker

liked working at Jackson-Reed, Rickard got his Master’s degree at UDC, and has now been a JR teacher for six years and the crew coach for ten years.

Rickard has enjoyed JacksonReed as both a student and a teacher, but he does believe the school would benefit from a cell phone ban. “I used to have to figure out how to get the class to be quiet; now if I do nothing, the class is quiet by default in kind of a depressing, super futuristic, anti-social way.”

As these Jackson-Reed teachers have the opportunity to reflect on their time at the school, we can consider how modern technologies and advancements have shaped not only the world in general, but the school environment. Throughout these teachers’ experiences, the connection between teachers and students is evident. The lessons learned are timeless, as past and present occurrences bond our school community. •

Museum

patterns, serving as an excellent palette cleanser before the third floor.

The AU Museum was a great experience and it’s small enough that visitors can see everything within an hour, but is captivating to the point you will want to take more time. The AU Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so next time you’re bored, why not pop over? •

Thank a social worker. It’s their month!

grade social worker Tina Johnson, bilingual social worker Luis Morales.

We all have hard days, but luckily at Jackson-Reed, we have a team to help us manage our emotional stress.

March is National Social Work Month and the celebration began in 1963 as a time to celebrate the great professionals of social work. Each year there is a theme, this year's being “Social Work: Compassion + Action.”

We have a entire roster of talented social workers at JR: 12th-grade social worker Kimberly Wilson, 12th and 11th-grade social worker Lacey Maddrey, 10th-grade social worker Nekia St. Clair, 9th-

The field of social work is important yet often undervalued. I spoke to several of our social workers to give you some insight into what they do and how they plan to celebrate National Social Work Month!

Johnson wishes people understood that school social work is difficult because there are many issues they have to address, like bullying and family issues. “School social workers often manage a large number of students, which can make it difficult to provide the individual attention and support that each student needs,” she stressed. Even with the challenges

she still thinks it’s a rewarding role.

“Social work can be emotionally taxing, so celebrating by taking care of myself is important. Whether it’s through mindfulness, spending time with family, or simply relaxing, I will make sure to take the time to recharge!” said Johnson. Additionally, she plans to attend workshops, webinars, and networking events so she can connect with colleagues!

Wilson wants people to know social work is like wearing “many hats,” like educators, advocates, and therapists, and that they don’t just deal with mental health. “I wish people knew social workers possess a wide range of skills.”

This March, Wilson plans

to practice self-care: “I plan to do rejuvenating activities that I encourage others to partake in, [like] journaling/reflecting, going to the spa, listening to music, cooking, [and] creating artwork.”

Wilson and Maddrey emphasize that social workers aren’t employed in one setting but in many. Social workers are employed in courts, hospitals, schools, corporate companies, and private mental health agencies.

Maddrey said she plans to reach out to colleagues to let them know how important their work is and to thank them. She also plans to celebrate colleagues and raise awareness on social media: “I will celebrate my social work colleagues here at Jackson-

Reed with words and treats. I will bring awareness to the field of social work and helpful social work developments through social media platforms to educate others on this important field!”

Lastly, Maddrey would ask for clinical social workers to be mandatory across the US in schools to make sure all students have access to care. “I would motion for clinical social work to be mandatory in school settings across the country to ensure that students receive free access to necessary mental health services.” This National Social Worker Month, make sure to thank a social worker and let them know what an amazing job they are doing. It will make them feel appreciated! •

Edie Young Contributor

PHOTO BY ELI SCHWARTZ

ART AT AU - The Katzen Arts Center sits at the heart of the American University Campus. The free museums houses a very wide range of art.

Esme Nooruddin Junior Editor

Reacciones del Super Bowl: Eagles contra los Chiefs

Rachel Smith Isabella Gamez Colaboradoras

El pasado 9 de febrero, los Kansas City Chiefs y los Philadelphia Eagles se reunieron en New Orleans para competir en el Super Bowl LIX. Este evento, televisado en numerosos países y visto por 210 millones de personas alrededor del mundo, es el partido por el campeonato anual de la National Football League (NFL) y el evento deportivo más importante en los Estados Unidos.

Como en todos los partidos de fútbol americano, el Súper Bowl cuenta con un descanso entre el segundo y el tercer cuarto. Durante dicho descanso, es común que los músicos más populares del año realicen un espectáculo acompañados de un pequeño número de artistas invitados. Este año el elegido fue Kendrick Lamar, quien decidió cantar junto a SZA y cuyo show recibió críticas diversas.

Varios estudiantes pensaron que el espectáculo fue decepcionante, ya que esperaban

que la performance de Kendrick sea más energético. “Todo el mundo parecia que se estaban aburriendo” compartio Charlie Rose, estudiante del grado 9°.“Además, no me gusto su atuendo”. Otra estudiante de segundo año afirma, “No me pareció el peor show de la historia. Sin embargo, podría haber sido mejor”.

Por otro lado, muchos disfrutaron el hecho que Lamar aprovechó para humillar a Drake. Los dos cantantes llevan peleándose desde 2013, impulsando a Kendrick a lanzar una canción llamada “Not Like Us” donde insulta a Drake varias veces. Esta fue cantada durante el espectáculo y, su verso más viral, “amante certificado, pedófilo certificado”, fue gritado por todo el estadio. El show también incluyó a Serena Williams como bailarina y a SZA como artista invitada, ambas exes de Drake. “En mi opinión, fue épico” comparte el sophomore Eli. “Solo hay que esperar a ver cómo reacciona Drake”.

A pesar de los comentarios divididos sobre su puesta en escena, el mensaje político

Union Latina en JR

Diego Sanchez Colaborador

La Union Latina es un club compuesto por integrantes de la comunidad latina/ hispanohablante, sin embargo, también lo conforman personas que no tienen dichas raíces étnicas, pero aman nuestra comunidad, disfrutan nuestra cultura, y apoyan nuestras causas. Es por ello, que nosotros recibimos con los brazos abiertos a todo aquel que tenga el deseo de formar parte del club y de la comunidad en general. Nuestra misión es mantener un espacio abierto y diverso, donde estas personas se sientan bienvenidas,

tengan la libertad de discutir sobre temas que nos afecta comúnmente, y se les respete su derecho a opinar sin ser juzgados. Entendiendo el propósito de nuestro club, tomamos la iniciativa de organizar una actividad durante el pep rally del 7 de febrero de este año, en la que expresamos con orgullo nuestra cultura. Al mismo tiempo, debido a las circunstancias que, desde el inicio del nuevo periodo presidencial en Estados Unidos, han afectado y continúan afectando no solo a la comunidad latina, sino a la población inmigrante en general, manifestamos de manera pacífica nuestro rechazo a las nuevas políticas que injustamente

que dejó Lamar no se puede denegar. Un claro ejemplo fue cuando el cantante dijo “la revolución está a punto de ser televisada; eligieron el momento adecuado, pero al tipo equivocado”. Esta frase, dirigida a la audiencia, se conecta a un poema de

perjudican a los inmigrantes indocumentados en el país.

La situación que envuelve a la comunidad inmigrante va más allá de ideales políticos, se trata de la dignidad humana que todos merecemos sin importar nuestro estatus legal, o nuestro origen. Además, somos partidarios que la mejor manera de combatir problemas sin generar conflictos de gran escala, no es a través de gritos o insultos, tampoco es quedarse callado ante las injusticias, sino usar la libertad de expresión para comunicar nuestras inconformidades sabiendo en que momento es apropiado hacerlo, y sobretodo manteniendo el respeto hacia los demás. •

Gil Scott-Heron que asegura que el cambio no vendrá de ninguna corporación, sino de los propios ciudadanos... algo que debemos tomar en cuenta dadas las circunstancias bajo las que está el país actualmente. En conclusión, el

espectáculo de entre tiempo de Kendrick provocó muchas opiniones diferentes, unos despreciando su performance y otros elogiándola. Aparte, el artista usó su plataforma para difundir un mensaje profundo, ciertamente admirable. •

La presencia de los meses de herencia

Alex Frommer Editor Junior

Imagínate esto: es domingo por la noche y estás temiendo la llegada del lunes. Entonces, chequeas tu teléfono y ves un mensaje de un amigo recordándote que no hay clases el lunes porque es el Día de los Pueblos Indígenas. Emocionado, te quedas despierto hasta tarde viendo televisión y pasas todo el día siguiente simplemente relajándote en casa.

Por supuesto, no hay nada de malo en eso. Hablo desde mi propia experiencia, y estoy seguro de que muchos de ustedes pueden identificarse. Pero aquí está la cuestión: en ese día libre, ¿qué fue lo que realmente lo hizo el Día de los Pueblos Indígenas?

¿Pasaste el día entero en un museo indígena, investigando en internet o disfrutando en un desfile? Probablemente no.

Lo mismo sucede con el Mes de la Historia Negra. Claro, el 1 de febrero la gente puede hablar un poco sobre ello, pero después de eso… casi nada.

Y durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, ¿realmente sientes que tu cultura fue celebrada durante 30 días? Yo no.

Mi punto es que estos días y meses dedicados a celebrar una cultura se sienten forzados y vacíos. No honran verdaderamente a las personas y tradiciones que representan.

¿Por qué una cultura debería ser

colocada superficialmente en un pedestal por solo una pequeña parte del año?

Entonces, ¿cuál es la alternativa? En lugar de limitar el reconocimiento cultural a un solo día o mes, deberíamos celebrar todas las culturas durante todo el año.

En una ciudad como nuestra, hay muchas formas de experimentar otras culturas. Ya sea visitando el barrio chino o el Museo Nacional de Historia y Cultura Afroamericana, Washington D.C. está lleno de oportunidades para conocer diversas herencias en cualquier momento.

Deberíamos animar a la gente a explorar estos espacios culturales ya sea invierno o verano. De esta manera, podemos fortalecer nuestra conexión con diferentes comunidades sin restringirlo a un período específico.

Por supuesto, no todos viven en D.C. y no pueden simplemente tomar el Metro hasta el Smithsonian. Por eso, en todo el país, deberíamos enfocarnos en llevar aspectos culturales a lugares que no las tienen. Esto podría significar organizar un desfile del Día Puertorriqueño en medio de Kentucky o abrir un museo Japonés en Alaska. Si trabajamos juntos para integrar el aprecio cultural todo el año, en lugar de asignar fechas aleatorias, podemos crear una América más interconectada. •

GRAPHIC BY FRANCES LEIBOVICH

FOTO CORTESIA DE DIEGO SANCHEZ

Estudiantes esperan orientación en medio de la nueva política migratoria

Rohini Kieffer

Isadora Groves

Noa Gordon Editores jefe

Editor de deportes

Traducido por Isadora Groves

En la pared exterior del aula del segundo piso de la profesora de estudios sociales Michele Bollinger, los estudiantes pueden encontrar una carpeta llena de pequeños trozos de papel verde neón. Un lado se titula “Know Your rights Cards” y el otro “Tarjeta de Derechos”.

“Estoy ejerciendo mi derecho de la Quinta Enmienda bajo la Constitución de los EE. UU. de permanecer en silencio”, dice la primera línea, “mi derecho a negarme a responder sus preguntas y mi derecho a negarme a firmar nada hasta que consulte con un abogado”.

Desde enero, cuando la administración Trump otorgó a los agentes de inmigración la jurisdicción para ingresar y realizar arrestos en las escuelas, un lugar previamente protegido, los estudiantes de Jackson-Reed se han sentido inseguros, temerosos y a oscuras sobre cómo proceder.

“Creo que tenemos muchos de nuestros estudiantes latinos que no vienen a la escuela por miedo a que los saquen de la escuela”, dijo un miembro del personal de JR que pidió no ser identificado. Camilo Cruz, profesor de inglés para hablantes de otros idiomas (ESOL), dijo que notó una disminución inicial en la asistencia a su salón de clases que desde entonces se ha revertido lentamente.

De los aproximadamente 1.800 estudiantes de la escuela, el 26 por ciento se identifica como hispano/latino, según datos de DCPS. “Si les pasara algo, estoy

seguro de que Jackson-Reed se desmoronaría”, dijo un estudiante de noveno grado que pidió no ser identificado.

Los maestros y miembros del personal le dijeron a El Beacon que DCPS y la administración de JR no han emitido una guía oficial sobre cómo responder a las medidas de control de inmigración. Un portavoz de DCPS y el director Sah Brown se negaron a hacer comentarios. Sin embargo, el portavoz de DCPS se refirió a las pautas del Ministro de Justicia de DC Brian Schwalb emitidas en enero llamadas “Respuestas a preguntas frecuentes sobre la aplicación de la ley de inmigración en las escuelas”.

A falta de pautas oficiales, Bollinger se encargó de proporcionar a los estudiantes información sobre los poderes ampliados del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE). Bollinger dijo que buscó en Google formas de ayudar a los estudiantes indocumentados y encontró las tarjetas en el sitio web de la Federación Estadounidense de Maestros.

“Aprecio el hecho de que he podido colgarlo en la pared ahora y nadie me ha pedido que lo quite. Lo tomo como una cultura de apoyo y reconocimiento”, dijo Bollinger a El Beacon.

“DCPS no ha respondido de la manera que yo apoyaría”, dijo. “Creo que hay una tendencia en este momento, por miedo—y entiendo el miedo—a no querer llamar la atención al hablar, y para mí eso parece cumplir antes de tiempo y darse por vencido de antemano, y la historia nos muestra que eso es un error”.

Cruz también ha tratado de apoyar personalmente a sus estudiantes de ESOL. “Cuando [las políticas de inmigración] están en nuestras conversaciones, lo que

trato de hacer, como ser humano, es ayudar a los estudiantes a aliviar su ansiedad con palabras de amor y amabilidad”, dijo. También ha tratado de enseñar lecciones con temas de resiliencia y empatía a través del material del curso que selecciona.

Los distritos escolares alrededor del DMV han emitido declaraciones sobre la protección de sus estudiantes. Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery publicaron en su sitio web que están “comprometidos a garantizar que todos los estudiantes se sientan seguros y bienvenidos en nuestras escuelas, independientemente de su estatus migratorio”. Las Escuelas Públicas de la Ciudad de Alexandria enviaron recursos para educadores, personal de apoyo escolar, consejeros, trabajadores sociales, familias y comunidades.

El superintendente de las

Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George, Millard House II, emitió una declaración en video el 28 de enero. “Nuestro apoyo a nuestra diversa comunidad es inquebrantable”, dijo. House enfatizó la importancia de estar preparado y dirigió a los espectadores a una página de recursos en el sitio web del distrito escolar. En contraste, la guía de inmigración de DCPS no se ha actualizado en su sitio web desde 2016. Una escuela que apoya a su comunidad de manera concreta es la escuela bilingüe OysterAdams. La directora Carolina Brito dijo que ha tomado la guía de inmigración de DCPS y ha agregado información del condado de Montgomery y otras escuelas y distritos de todo el país. Además, a principios de enero, Oyster organizó un

Know Your Rights Card

evento “Conozca sus derechos" en asociación con el Centro Amica para los Derechos de los Inmigrantes, que brinda servicios legales a los inmigrantes. Aunque el miedo inicial de Oyster era que ICE se presentará en la puerta de entrada, Brito le dijo a El Beacon que el enfoque de la escuela ha cambiado. “La forma en que se está desarrollando en DC en este momento es: ¿cómo apoyamos a las familias cuando ICE llega al lugar de trabajo? Si ves a ICE en el camino a la escuela, ¿quién va a recoger a tu hijo?”, dijo. Al interactuar con la comunidad y los estudiantes, Brito dijo que la sensación de miedo es palpable. “Tenemos que ser conscientes de que incluso si no están en nuestra puerta, aún tiene un impacto”, dijo. “El aire que respiramos en DC está lleno de miedo y ansiedad”. •

I am exercising my Fifth Amendment right under the U.S. Constitution to remain silent, my right to refuse to answer your questions and my right to refuse to sign anything until I consult an attorney.

Unless you have a signed judicial warrant to search the area, I do NOT consent to your search of my home, vehicle or property. If I am detained, I request to contact this attorney/ organization immediately:

Name/Phone Number: __________________

Thank you.

Tarjeta de Derechos

Estoy ejerciendo mi derecho de la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos a guardar silencio, mi derecho a negarme a responder a sus preguntas y mi derecho a negarme a firmar cualquier documento, hasta que consulte con un abogado. A menos que tenga una orden de registro judicial firmada, NO doy mi consentimiento para que registren mi casa, vehículo o propiedad. Si me detienen, solicito que me comuniquen con este abogado/organización inmediatamente.

Nombre/N. de teléfono: __________________

Gracias

TARJETAS DE DERECHOS - Arriba se muestran las declaraciones de las tarjetas de derechos que se pueden encontrar afuera de la habitación 210.

Perfil de atletas de los deportes de primavera

Kalpana Shipler

Emely Mejia

Editores Junior

Con la llegada de la primavera, la temporada de deportes de invierno llega a su fin, dando paso a nuevas oportunidades para los atletas que esperan con ansias competir bajo el sol. Mientras despedimos el baloncesto, la lucha libre y otros deportes de invierno, damos la bienvenida a deportes como el béisbol y el lacrosse, que aportan emoción y energía renovada a la comunidad deportiva. Esta temporada, dos deportistas que destacan en sus respectivas disciplinas con Celia Joldersma (grado 11), jugadora de lacrosse, y Lewis Lahey (grado 11), jugador de béisbol. Ambos están listos para liderar a sus equipos y demostrar su pasión por el deporte en esta nueva etapa del año. Cada atleta tiene su origen en la pasión que siente por el deporte que juega. Jugadora de lacrosse,

Celia Joldersma dice, “empecé a jugar lacrosse porque quería un deporte de primavera, pero lo que me mantiene motivado para seguir jugando es que jugaré en la universidad y que realmente disfruto el deporte.” Joldersma empezó a jugar lacrosse porque quería un deporte de primavera. Al principio, solo era una opción más, pero con el tiempo, se convirtió en algo especial para ella. Lo que la motiva a seguir no es solo que disfruta el juego, sino que también jugará en la universidad. Su historia muestra cómo un simple comienzo puede llevar a una gran pasión y un futuro en el deporte.

Jugador de béisbol, Lewis Lahey también nos cuenta su origen por su pasión por el juego. Lahey cuenta, “Mi papá me inspiró a comenzar a practicar este deporte, él jugó

Cuando se juega un deporte, puede haber muchos obstáculos a los que uno se enfrenta para seguir jugando. Al preguntarles a Joldersma y Lahey, cuál ha sido el mayor desafío de tu carrera atlética, ambos mencionaron las lesiones que han tenido. Joldersma mencionó que antes de empezar a jugar lacrosse se rompió el brazo y no practicó ningún deporte durante dos o tres meses. Este fue un momento difícil para ella en su carrera deportiva, ya que tuvo que retomar el deporte después de no practicarlo durante un tiempo. Igualmente, Lahey, nos contó que él se lastimó el brazo cuando estaba en su año de sophomore y también no pudo jugar su deporte. Esto fue difícil para su carrera en el béisbol, ya que no pudo lanzar durante un año.

Los atletas de primavera terminan diciéndonos que están ansiosos y emocionados de jugar otra temporada. •

Guerilla Girls’ fight for change

Maddie Nusbaum Junior Editor

The Guerrilla Girls are an anonymous group of feminist artists who have advocated against the lack of representation of female artists and artists of color since the 1980s. Famous for appearing at art galleries wearing gorilla masks to hide their identity, the group’s work includes posters, books, billboards, and public appearances aimed at exposing the gender and racial disparities prevalent in the contemporary art world.

The group began their work in 1985 to address the lack of female artists featured in galleries throughout New York City. Initially, the group organized protests in front of museums, but these were easily ignored. The Guerrilla Girls decided to take a more creative approach to gain attention: creating their own protest “artwork”.

The Guerrilla Girls gained widespread attention after wearing gorilla masks to museums and plastering posters around the city with bold, eye-opening facts about underrepresentation in art galleries. Their posters revealed shocking truths such as “5% of art in the Modern Art sections are women, but 85% of nudes are female” and scandalously challenged art institutions

with questions such as “Do women have to get naked to get into the Met. Museum?” Their messaging inspired many New Yorkers, artists, and feminists alike to advocate for a wider representation of perspectives in galleries.

The Guerrilla Girls’ efforts have been widely celebrated in the art world as they started a worldwide conversation around the lack of representation of female artists, which continues today. Their provocative posters are now memorialized in museums such as the Tate Modern, the Hirshhorn Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and many others. Their artwork displayed serves as a reminder of the strides this group took to support women in a predominantly male-dominated field.

The group is still active today and continues to push back against sexist agendas in the art world by calling out the gender biases of art critics, curators, and museums. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it's important to remember the Guerrilla Girls’ work and how it has impacted generations of female artists. This group paved a path for women in the art field and continuously encourages women to fight the status quo, and unconditionally advocate for equality. •

Top spring holidays to celebrate

Jordana Sloane Junior Editor

Everyone knows summer days are the best days, but you know what’s also great? National holidays. We’re not talking about Presidents Day or April Fools, we’re talking about the hidden gems that deserve your recognition and celebration. Without further ado, here they are:

March 1-7: National Lawnmower Maintenance Week

We don’t know how to mow a lawn, and we hope to never learn. Even if you don’t have to fix your lawn mower, go make your parents happy and go mow the lawn! (If you don’t know how, go straight to YouTube, they’ve got some fire how-to vids there).

March 7: National Flapjack Day

We prefer the term pancake, but they all taste delicious. This day is 100% worth waking up 30 minutes earlier to make “flapjacks.” Bonus points if you put chocolate chips in them!

March 20: National Spray Tanning Day

While this day can be a (bit) less exciting during our cold, dry, sun-lacking winter months, spring is (hopefully) here! And, drumroll please, after spring comes summer!! And with summer comes the return

of spray tanning and destroying our skin with chemicals and sun. I don’t know about you, but this teenager can’t wait.

March 21: National Countdown Day 3, 2, 1… It’s not 2026, but it is National Countdown Day! Some possible ideas are counting down the minutes until the end of the school day, the days until summer, or the seconds until your next mental breakdown. Call (248) 434 - 5508 if you need someone to count down with.

March 27: National Scribble Day

In honor of this great day you should definitely find something to scribble on, although preferably not the bathroom stalls. We love scribbling all over our homework until you can’t read it anymore. (The messages there are some of the highlights of depressing escapes from math). Wherever you go, have a lovely time beautifying school property!

March 26: National Little Red Wagon Day

We never actually had a little red wagon, but the vibes are amazing. We recommend buying one just for this. PS security, you should store all of the things you take in here.

March 28: National Triglycerides Day

There should be at least one serious day in March. This is it. It’s your reminder to check

your triglycerides. Eat some fish (apparently it’s good for your triglycerides). Now you may be asking, what are triglycerides? To be honest, we don’t have a clue. Happy Googling!

April 3: National Burrito Day

We know you big backs have an obsession with Chipotle (we do too honestly), so this is a perfect day to celebrate! If you’re feeling generous we recommend tipping the employees there, they are people too. Either way, the Tenley Chipotle will be packed, so if you want a table we recommend skipping 4th to get there early. Also, there are usually some sort of special deals for all of us broke students.

April 4: National Hug A Newsperson Day

No hugs. Peyton doesn’t like hugs. (Jordana loves hugs so feel free to give her one.)

April 9: National Unicorn Day

Jordana is a stubborn believer in unicorns. Look out for her wearing a sparkly purple unicorn hat in the halls. We recommend eating unicorn themed treats, wearing your old pink sparkly shirts, and bingeing My Little Pony on Netflix. National Days are amazing, but unfortunately all we want is summer. So keep counting down the days until school ends and peace out. •

What JR students Are wearing this week: fashion in the halls

Eva Solomon

Padget Bowers-Shreve Junior Editors

From an iconic skirt-overjeans combo to adorable cowgirl boots, the fits at JR are inspired and cute while still being totally timeless. So, without further adieu, we’re introducing some of the best outfits we spotted around school this February.

1. Raeviona Parker, freshman

Raeviona’s outfits are always stylish to a tee. Despite the freezing weather and snow, she manages to layer perfectly. Whoever said that a winter coat ruins an outfit was

2. Nati Pinilla, sophomore Nati’s outfits always have a certain flair to them, with a fashionable purse and the perfect clothing to match. Her iconic fit shows a skirt over jeans, demonstrating her chic style, and her gorgeous makeup brings the whole outfit together.

3. Marzy Mitchell, junior Every time we see Marzy both her outfits and character are on point. The cowboy boots and dress combo represent the iconic vibe she brings. Also, we’ve seen her do a fantastic model walk, which really says it all.

4. Otis (Tee) Barnes and Jack Thurman, juniors Does food make for a good accessory? It seems like it. Add cheetah print shoes, a sweatshirt, and a cow tee to match and you’re basically ready for school.

5. Louay (LA) Ahmed, senior When Jack and Otis pointed out their senior friend LA, we immediately rushed over to snap his picture. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, his green Adidas added a pop of color we never knew we needed. Plus, his sweatshirt is fire.

Overall, we truly believe that the students embrace the fashion at JR perfectly! There are so many cool and inspirational outfits to be found in the hallways of JR and deserve more respect, hence the point of this article! I mean, not everyone can rock stripes and cheetah print, but if you can, please wear this combo to school! •

Rating faculty's favorite recipes

Nora Goldwasser Contributor

Ever wondered what your teachers are whipping up in the kitchen on their days off? Well if you have, come with me as I rate two of my teachers’ favorite recipes. Remember that this is an honest review, and the rating won’t just factor in the taste but also the time and energy required to make it.

Baked good number one is a chocolate chip banana bread recipe from Honors Chemistry and AP Psychology teacher, Sonya Gelfand. She explained that she made this banana bread almost once a week during COVID because it was just that delicious, and I am here to honestly tell you if it lives up to the hype.

Before I get into how it tasted, let me tell you a bit about the baking process. Other than forgetting to preheat the oven until after I finished making the batter, it was one of the easiest recipes I have ever made. All you had to do was prepare the wet

and dry ingredients separately and mix them together at the end. I also just plopped the bananas in the mixer even though you maybe were supposed to mush it before . . . Oops. But I don’t think it affected the overall taste because this banana bread was impeccable. The addition of the chocolate chips was the perfect finishing touch.

The one major flaw was that after I baked it the edges were a little burnt and the middle was a bit undercooked. Also, the baking time was a whopping hour long. So, considering both the baking process, the time I had to wait, and the taste of the finishing product, I would give it a 9/10!

Now onto the second recipe, a chai chocolate chip cookie recipe from AP Human Geography and World History II teacher, Ashley Bryant. Before I start with this review, I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of spices in sweet desserts, so this review may be a bit biased. When I originally looked at the ingredients list, I was a little intimidated by the use

of allspice, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and even black pepper. Yet I persevered and made the cookies.

Making them was quite easy. It was basically the same as regular chocolate chip cookies, plus all the different spices. The unfortunate part was having to wait an hour for the dough to chill before putting it in the oven. Also, I was not a fan of having to use parchment paper but other than that, I have no complaints.

The taste of these cookies definitely surprised me. I was shocked that I actually kind of enjoyed the taste of the spices! However, I didn’t love them, and that is why I have to give it a 7.5/10. But for those of you who do enjoy spices in your cookies, I can imagine you will think this rating is unfair.

My reviews may have been a bit too harsh because both of these recipes are definitely delicious and fun to make. So, whether you are bored on the weekend or need to bake something to stop stressing about upcoming tests, keep these teachers' recipes in mind! •

Girl Scout cookie review

icing, located at the bottom of the cookie. The cookie gave us nothing then punched us in the face with a nasty aftertaste that was reminiscent of rancid fruit

We are back with a special guest to help, as the immense variety made this the hardest ranking yet, and heated debates and hard decisions ensued. Before we go on to the ranking, a special thanks to Suri (and Maddie’s sister Helena) who supplied us with cookies.

8. Worst Overall: S'mores

This cookie came last for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it tasted like a piece of sickly sweet play doh smashed between two pieces of cardboard. No Girl Scout cookie is bad, but this was definitely the worst. 2025 is the last year with the s'more cookie, so if you want to try it for yourself, act fast!

7. Most Controversial: Adventurefuls

These cookies were certainly a taste adventure. Maddie, our resident chocoholic, criticized the unauthentic chocolate flavor and Caroline agreed. The cookie is comparable to a cosmic brownie. However, Amanda quite enjoyed the flavor, finding it tasted like sweet chocolate. While we could not agree on where to rank this cookie, we all agreed it brought a sense of nostalgia.

6. Most Encouraging: Lemon Ups

The uplifting messages written on the cookies elicited a feeling of serotonin deep within us. Feeling newly happy and motivated, we finally bit into the cookie…and nothing…then a bad aftertaste. Overall, this cookie was bland, with the vast majority of the flavor being in the

5. OG Cookies Have Entered the Chat: Tag-A-Longs

This cookie was thoroughly enjoyed by our whole team, being one of the original Girl Scout cookies. For the peanut butter lovers, this is the one for you. It consists of a crunchy, biscuit-like cookie with a peanut butter layer on top, completely covered in chocolate. The chocolate covering got a little messy in the hot room, but the diversity of textures made it an overall solid cookie that is well worth buying (despite the insane inflation of cookies. They are six dollars now??).

4. Basic B: Trefoils

This is the most basic cookie that the Girl Scouts can offer. A standard and simple shortbread, it gives exactly what you would expect it to. The crispy, buttery cookie offers an addictive flavor that is just mild enough to work really well paired with a morning bev. The only reason why this cookie didn’t rank higher is that the flavor isn’t necessarily special and the texture can be dry on its own.

Dos

2. Classic Classic Classic: Thin Mints

You know her. You love her. You hate us for not giving her first place. Thin mints are always and will always be that girl. The only reason we didn’t give her first is just that there is one on the roster that will never ever fail us. Putting thin mints in the freezer is one tip that definitely boosted her status, but nonetheless, this is a cookie that America universally waits around all year for. is a perfect balance of mint and chocolate, and has an addictive crisp keeps you reaching and reaching until you realize that the whole sleeve is gone…

Best bagels in DC

Lily Carr Simone Meisnere Web Executive Editor Games Editor

As experienced bagel connoisseurs (one Jew and one daily bagel consumer), we embarked on a journey to find the best bagel in DC. Despite Dr. Canedo’s certainty that “DC doesn’t have good bagels,” we were determined to prove him wrong. With many bagel establishments to choose from, we narrowed it down to five with the help of our loyal followers (go follow @thejacksonreedbeacon).

To maintain accurate results, we ordered a toasted everything bagel with plain cream cheese cut into thirds at every stop.

5. Call Your Mother: 5/10 ($5.23)

Before the Call Your Mother fangirls start hating, we want to establish that this is simply about the bagels themselves (not the sandwiches, or the store as a whole). On top of the fact that it broke the bank, it was simply flavorless. With eyes closed, it may have been mistaken for a slightly textured plain bagel. If you are looking for a sandwich, this is the place to go, but for your daily dozen, skip the trip and go to our #1.

4. Bullfrog: 6/10 ($4.35)

Bullfrog Bagels’ proximity to Jackson-Reed made this a promising option, but after we had to stand on a demoralizing stool to order, our hopes began to fall. While we were very satisfied with the toasting, the chewiness was mildly unsettling

1. Best Overall: Samoas

This cookie surprised us; as one that we had never really reached for before, it was much better than expected. Similar to a nutter butter, it was crispy with a peanut butter layer. While it was vilified on the playground, we can say that as teenagers, it is worth a retaste! The cookie wasn’t too overpowering or messy, and had a natural tasting peanut butter flavor without getting stuck in your teeth. Would buy again!

First place goes to the coconut queen. As former samoa hating children, this cookie is one that really changed our lives when we tried her again. It’s the perfect amount of sweet and has a coconut flavor without having the texture of raw coconut (it feels like hair!) The samoa will always be an institution in the Girl Scout community, and for good reason. It offers flavors that can’t be found anywhere else, and that’s what really sets off the top two from the others. For these cookies, one may possibly hunt down those little sashed girls at their table to get a box that randomly increased in price over the past year. And if you are lucky enough to get stocked for the year…hit us up…we might be addicted to samoas indefinitely. •

and the sesame flavor was overwhelming. If we had wanted a sesame bagel, we would have ordered it. For those of us who like to eat our bagels open-faced, we were disappointed in the lack of seasoning on the bottom half of the bagel.

3. Baked by Yael: 7.5/10 ($3.35)

We walked into Baked by Yael feeling empowered after our rockstar parking spot right across from the zoo. While initially impressed by the reasonable price, we must note that this bagel was smaller than average. The bagel was very fresh and flavorful, but once again, the bottom was barren of any seasoning. As Baked by Yael is known for their cake pops, we could not help but order one. We were humbled when the faceless panda cake pop (with cheerio ears) was a whopping $6.20.

2. Bethesda: 9.5/10 ($4.08)

With Lily having tried every Bethesda Bagel flavor, and Simone previously being a hater, this was a pivotal trip. The bagel was large and fluffy, with a nice salty and garlic-y flavor. Simone was successfully converted to a Bethesda Bagel fan.

1. Bagels Etc.: 10/10 ($3.00)

Get your cash ready, because Bagels Etc. is the place to go. A soft and fluffy bagel with delicious salty seasoning ample throughout; Bagels Etc. took the win. And at three dollars flat, it was our cheapest option! Even Lily was willing to relinquish her love for Bethesda Bagels for the champion: Bagels Etc. •

Amanda Chau

Caroline Downs

Maddie Woods Contributors

GRAPHICS BY MIA BARNES

PHOTO BY ROHINI KIEIFFER

BAGEL BADDIES - The lovely bagel reviewers pose in front of Bethesda Bagels, which received a 9.5/10

SPELLING BEECON

CROSSWORD

Jackson-Reebus famous actors

By Simone Meisnere

By Simone Meisnere

BEACON MAZE

Horoscopes

Aries - Everyone’s talking about you… at least in your head. But hey, if you believe you’re the main character, the universe might just agree.

Taurus - You’ll try to start a new fitness routine this month. By “routine,” we mean “buying cute workout clothes and never wearing them.” But hey, you look great in them.

Gemini - Your social calendar and your Netflix queue are packed. The internal debate between going out and staying in will be intense. Spoiler alert: your couch wins.

Cancer-Your emotions are all over the place. Carry tissues, just in case.

Leo - We get it, you’re amazing. Just because you walked into a room doesn’t mean it was “blessed by your presence.”

Virgo - You will dress for spring even when it’s clearly still winter outside. Shivering in a cute floral outfit? Yes. Bringing a jacket? Absolutely not.

Libra- You’ll have a deep conversation with a plant today. It’s ok, the plant totally gets you.

Scorpio - Oooo, so dark and mysterious! No, actually, you’re just emotionally unavailable. People fear you, and honestly, you like it.

Sagittarius - Travel is in your future! Maybe to an exotic location… or maybe just the fridge at 2 AM. Either way, it’s an adventure.

Capricorn - Your adventurous side is calling! But unfortunately so is your massive amounts of homework. Maybe adventure can wait until next weekend.

Aquarius - People underestimate you, but that’s because your power is too intense for the average person to handle.

Pisces - It’s your season, Pisces! But instead of celebrating, you’ll overthink a text for two hours before sending “haha yeah” and then regretting it immediately. Classic.

Coach Rodgers Mr. Geremia

Mr. Gomaa

Principal Brown

Ms. Postler

Gracie Koda Bear

Hickory & Mutsu

Percy Fergus

“Rosa Parks” Marley Park, 12

“Hellen Keller” Joshua Maxfield, 11

“Martha Stuart” Henry Heyman, 10

“Selena Gomez” Amare Briscoe, 10

“Michelle Obama” Matthew Heritage, 10

“ RBG” Emma Britton, 10

“Mary J. Blige” Aliyah August, 10

“Beyoncé” Charley Jones, 11 Lilia Choice, 10 Derick Payano, 11

“Harriet Tubman" Chille Lynch-Huria , 11

“Hawk Tuah girl“ Emerson See, 10

“Lana Del Rey” Fiona Okeefe, 12 Mairin Carlyle-Dadson, 12

“Sheryl-Ann Gayle (my mom)” Josh Gayle, 11