The Beacon
The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School Vol 92 No. 2
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
www.thejrbeacon.com
An interview with Shantae Flowers Robinson steps up as JR community still seeks answers five interim principal months after Brady Flowers II's death
Padget Bowers-Shreve Eva Solomon Editors-in-Chief
“To understand that another child took his life, I want the justice to be there, but also the awareness to other parents. That other kids have guns, and they're using them. I don't want more people to lose their lives because of someone having a temporary moment. Sorry doesn’t bring back death.” Those are the words of Shantae Flowers, the mother of Brady Dale Flowers II, who passed away last May from gun violence. October 8 marked five months since this tragedy. In an interview with The Beacon in September, Flowers said she was upset and frustrated that no one had yet been arrested in connection with the killing of her son. In the months since the shooting, which occurred on May 7 in the alley behind the Whole Foods in Tenleytown, Flowers said that she has received no updates from the Metropolitan Police Department.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANTAE FLOWERS
MOTHER AND SON - Shantae Flowers and her son, Brady Flowers II, pose for a photo together. The two had a close relationship.
She said that she has “tried to contact MPD, but every time I contact [them], they can’t tell me anything.” When asked about MPD's
lack of response, Flowers said she has no idea what to think. “I don’t see BRADY on page 3
JR pays $15,000 in fees for unattended AP exams Orly Jossen Sports Editor
Jackson-Reed students have a privilege that most others in the nation don’t: all their AP tests are covered by the school. But the school’s AP test administration rates are dropping, with $15,000 in unused test fees in SY 2025-26, making some teachers reconsider what the district’s strategy should be around these tests. All JR students enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) Class are automatically registered for that test, free of the $99 per test cost. Additionally, any student can
submit a request to take one AP exam per year as "exam-only" if they have a specific reason, i.e., their college application requires additional AP scores. “In theory everyone should want to take the test,” said Elizabeth Levenson, JR’s College and Career Center Coordinator. “If it’s being paid for, students should take advantage of it and do it.” But sometimes, as she pointed out, “since students don’t pay for the tests, there are fewer incentives to follow through, since they aren’t losing any money,” by not taking it. This year, administration noticed a drop in test completion, resulting in a
$15,000 bill paid to the College Board for unused test fees. AP Precalculus, AP US Government and Politics, and AP English Literature and Composition were among the lowest completed tests, with seniors accounting for 59% of all unused tests. In response, AP teachers met with Assistant Principal Marc Minkser, the school’s head of AP testing, to discuss strategies in how to increase test completion. “Sitting for the exam is usually an issue with seniors,” Minsker and teachers acknowledged in interviews, but teachers have see FEES on page 2
Padget Bowers-Shreve Eva Solomon Editors-in-Chief
At first glance, most students wouldn’t assume that Principal Camille Robinson is a die-hard Virginia Tech Hokies fan. But Robinson’s life is chock full of hints to her alma mater, from the soon-tobe-put-up posters in her new office to the Hokies tattoo that she got with friends. Robinson was named interim principal for the 2026-27 school year after former principal Sah Brown stepped into the role of Instructional Superintendent for Cluster Nine. Robinson, who moved up from assistant principal and inhouse associate principal, will serve for the academic year and plans to apply for the job on a permanent basis. Robinson grew up in DC, moving away when she was 10 to
Oak Hill in Northern Virginia. She attended The Potomac School for high school and later graduated from Virginia Tech University, which she described as “the best place on earth,” with a major in biology, in 1998. “There are four Hokie bird fe et for four girls, and we all have the same one,” Robinson said about her tattoo in an interview with The Beacon. “We got it done in Blacksburg—that was the year that none of the husbands or kids came with us.” Every year, she goes on a trip with her four friends to see a Virginia Tech football game, an experience that was “amazing” when she was there as an undergraduate.
PHOTO BY EVA SOLOMON
see INTERIM on page 10
ChatGPT, why are all the teachers using paper? Peyton Shum Esme Nooruddin Managing Editor Director of New Staff
Amid a recent crackdown by DCPS on personal devices and the rise of easily accessible artificial intelligence tools, teachers are changing how they teach, and students are noticing. “I feel like more teachers are doing assignments on paper this year,” said senior Hannah Clark. Sophomore Kalyan Patel agreed, saying that there has “definitely been more paper this year.” According to a survey by
The Beacon sent to faculty, approximately half of teachers are using a paper-based curriculum this year. However, most of the respondents who said they rely on paper have been doing so for a long time, some for reasons that are not limited to the internet and AI. A total of 22 teachers, or 16 percent of the JR faculty, responded to the survey, which was conducted by email. “I’ve always taught on paper,” English teacher Erin Shaw said. “When I tried continuing digital teaching after the pandemic, I noticed a decline in the quality of see AI on page 10
Varsity football wins first non-forefeit game in two years Jordana Sloane Managing Editor
PHOTO BY DESMOND PARSONS
GAME READY - JR Varsity football team prepares for their first game of the season versus KIPP DC Legacy College Prep.
On September 25, JacksonReed’s varsity football team won a game for the first time in two years. JR’s football team is ranked 21st in DC by MaxPreps, while the team they beat, Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology, is ranked 349th in Virginia by MaxPreps. The last time the varsity football team won a game, not by forfeit, was in September 2024 against Phelps Architecture, Construction & Engineering High School. The final score of the game was 40-0. The team performed well
on offense and defense: four picks were completed by junior Michael Walker and senior Maizon Ellis. Sophomore quarterback Cy Amos rushed for more than 102 yards, rushed for one touchdown, and threw one touchdown. BarstoolJacksonReed, a student-run Instagram account for school spirit and sports, posted several memes and pictures online celebrating the win. Captions on the post included “JR FOOTBALL HAS WON A GAME” and “THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED.” For years, students have sat by and watched while the football team has suffered losses. But why does the biggest high school in DC
have such a hard time assembling a strong football team? One reason is the lack of a strong pipeline of football players into JR. Alice Deal Middle School and Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, where most of JR’s student body comes from, don't have football teams. Other big DC high schools, like Eastern and Roosevelt, both have an influx of students entering their football programs with prior experience and knowledge of how to play the game. “Not to make excuses, but it is one of the main reasons why the [football] team hasn’t had growth,” according to see WIN on page 15
The Beacon
NEWS
2
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
DC cracks down on chronic absenteeism Orly Jossen Billie Himmelman Sports Editor Contributor
Federal prosecutors in the US Attorney's Office for DC have launched a special grand jury investigation into DCPS regarding truancy (the failure to attend school due to unexcused absences), attendance policies, and recordkeeping. Last year, 50.4% of students across public high schools were chronically absent (missing over 10% of the school year, both unexcused and excused absences). Spanning across the US, attendance has been a significant issue. Recently, the focus has been on DC. The prosecutors’ investigation highlights DCPS’ problem of chronic absenteeism, provoking reactions from organizations and raising questions among teachers, administrators, and legal experts. For years, the problem wasn’t properly addressed due to the DC
BRADY from page 1
know if it’s politics, or maybe it’s not enough money,” she said. “Are they doing an investigation? Do they have evidence?” Flowers said she has spent hours speculating why her son’s killer hasn’t been found responsible. “I know it happened at 4:30 in the afternoon, in a public place in front of other children,” she said. “Maybe it’s because the parents of the children don’t want them to get involved. There’s nothing to talk to [MPD] about if they can't tell me anything.” Flowers, who owns a fashion design company, Chante’ La Belle Epoque, posts regularly on Instagram about Brady’s memory. After a video she posted of Brady and his sisters received almost 3 million views, she began using the hashtag #justiceforbrady. “Since I think of my son daily, outside of understanding that he is permanently never going to be alive again, it ended up being my way of communicating—keeping his awareness alive,” she said. Flowers said that following the tragedy, a GoFundMe was created that raised enough money for her to hold a funeral in a church near Jackson-Reed, mentioning that she was “so grateful” to give Brady a proper burial. Brady received a posthumous diploma and was honored by family and friends at graduation in June. During his junior year, Brady was assaulted in a JR hallway by two students who had snuck into the building. Flowers said that she “didn’t sue the school or security for their lack of protecting my child” because JR and its security “felt like family” to her and her children. However, she did file a report to the DCPS
Department of Education’s struggle to track attendance.Within the last 15 years, they have developed ways to manage absences and increased focus on period-byperiod attendance in high schools. Jeanine Pirro of the US Attorney’s Office has also pointed a finger at high crime rates, claiming they’re caused by increasing truancy rates. Issues with attendance and tracking culminated in a 2018 scandal surrounding Ballou High School in Southeast DC. National attention landed on the District when it came to
a notice to their members, stating, “If you are contacted, including receiving a subpoena or a request to be interviewed, we strongly encourage you to contact the WTU immediately.” Because of this, no teachers, administrators, or DCPS employees can be quoted directly, and all information stated was obtained from anonymous sources. The District now finds itself in a unique position. The Constitution guarantees federal oversight and legislative authority over DC, giving the US Attorney’s Office— headed by Pirro— the final
l i g h t that almost two-thirds of the graduating class had missed almost three months of school, failing to meet the standard to graduate. After a large investigation, former principal Yetunde Reeves was fired, and teachers were made to track attendance more firmly. Recently, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) sent out
judicial authority over all truancy issues. “What does the federal government ultimately want to do with DC?” one source wondered. Another source stated that the investigation seems to be an attempt to distract from problems brought forth from the Trump administration. They do not believe
superintendent, but never received a response. Flowers offered additional detail about her conflicted feelings toward JR and its response to Brady’s killing. “My emotions fluctuate because all of my kids went to JR, and I’m a parent that believes in school spirit,” she said. “School is the basis of everything for my children. I was very emotional because he was the captain of the football team, he was socializing, [Alice Deal Middle School] was nearby… It’s hard.” “Brady did the best he could, and then he ended up being killed.” Flowers continued, “I tried to make sure that when I had children that they didn’t grow up too fast, that they got to enjoy whatever stage and level that they were at. I’m disappointed that I won't get to see that anymore from my son.” She said she kept an eye on Brady, making sure that he “didn’t stay out late, that he didn’t use drugs or alcohol, and remain[ed] a good person.” Flowers finished the interview with a message to the JR community: “I just want the school to know that going to school, for Brady, that was his life. Football was his life.” Flowers said she would like to see Brady honored by JR. “I think I would like something named after him,” she said, “For his name to have meaning, and to be used among other students.” Flowers said that when the school name changed from Woodrow Wilson to Jackson-Reed, she searched for the meanings behind the new name. She hopes that naming something after Brady would have the same effect. “Now that my son is gone, I won’t have a grandson from him,” she said. “I don’t know if whoever did this cares, but they should because it’s part of all of us.” •
FEES from page 1
various tactics to use when trying to convince students to take the exam. All teachers try to make their students feel prepared to tackle the multiple choice questions and free response questions through reviewing material and offering mock AP exams. But even students who might do well sometimes don’t want to take the tests. “I like to remind students how much they benefit from the test,” said AP Science teacher Will Gomaa, pointing out how students not only receive potential college credit, but they gain experience taking tests that cover months of material—which is something much more common in college. He, and many other teachers interviewed, also make the test the only term four engagement grade for their students, offering a grade bump for completion of the test. Amarah Webb, AP English Literature and Composition teacher, likes to remind her students of how much they’ve given to the class: “I like to hammer in, ‘you’ve gone this far already.’” Even if a student doesn't think they’ll be able to use the credit in college, Webb says, it’s still a good idea to take it. Webb also believes that low completion might be due to a more systemic problem: the culture behind taking AP classes. “There are students who sign up for Lit and have no interest in
that the attention will stay on the issue long enough to change it, titling it a “drive-by” moment. The worry is that the Trump administration could use the investigation as an excuse to undermine DC’s autonomy. DCPS only began to determine the specifics of absences in 2011, i.e. the difference between excused and unexcused absences, the policies around it, and the steps that DCPS should take to fix this problem. The City Council’s Truancy Task Force, created in response to this growing issue, placed pressure on DCPS to start recording
attendance, and brought together various DCPS departments to discuss the problem. Although there were many department heads coming together, it took a long time for them to discuss a solution to truancy. A source shared that DCPS only introduced attendance reading the books or writing the essays,” Webb explains, “And I tell them, if you want to try, that’s great, but this isn’t the class to do that in.” She says many students come in with the wrong ideas about taking AP classes, thinking they have to take the class. But she and others encourage students to pursue their interests, like Social Studies teacher Matthew Burgoyne,who said, “It’s much more impressive to be great at one thing you’re passionate in, than okay at everything,” something that taking an AP in every subject
seems to encourage. But the biggest issue that teachers like Burgoyne and Webb run into when talking to students about whether to take APs is equity. They want students to take classes they’re interested in, but recognize that in a world where AP classes are offered to everyone (and they have a full point GPA boost), it's unfair to discourage students from taking them. “The APUSH team has worked hard to make adjustments to make sure every kid can access the curriculum,” Burgoyne said, but he doesn’t want everyone to have to take an AP. “We have a horrible culture of telling juniors they have to take every AP class,” Burgoyne said, “and
counselors in 2018. Prior to this change, teachers were solely in charge of keeping attendance, and there was a lack of period-by-period attendance. While the issue was beginning to be tackled, the right steps were seemingly not being taken. The special grand jury investigation has led to uncertainty about the role teachers will play in the trial; many teachers and law enforcement officials have already been subpoenaed. Pirro has requested the school records of students who were truant and violating DC curfew, but was denied by the previous chancellor of DCPS, Lewis D. Ferebee. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education was subpoenaed as well, and ordered to give data on graduation rates and the names, titles, and salaries of Central Office administrators. • GRAPHIC BY PEYTON SHUM
the kids that do take them don’t reflect the demographics of the school. It’s night and day between my on-level history classes and APUSH.” More than 10 years ago, there was a committee at JR to close this gap. The Minorities in AP (MAP) committee, started by English teachers but with majority humanities teachers, had the goal of increasing minority participation and exam completion in APs by offering support and tutoring for all students. “Enrollment and completion went way up, “ Burgoyne said, “but MAP went away after COVID.” So what does JR need to do to increase test completion? It might be obvious right now, but the answer is complicated. Te a c h e r s f i r s t remind students of the importance of taking the test and reiterate to them what they gain from taking a college level exam, even if they think they don’t need to. Second, reevaluate why students take APs, not to discourage them from taking them all together, but to make sure that students will feel incentivized to commit to learning course material in a difficult and fast paced environment. But teachers and administration still have to acknowledge the reality. In this world, students have to take challenging courses in order to appear competitive for colleges, so making sure all students feel they can succeed is vital. • GRAPHIC BY MAURA COHEN
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
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NEWS
Victim in Cornell case brings civil New senior portrait charges against attackers company at JR Tessa Frantz Caroline Wilding Nati Pinilla Grace Harscheid News Editor Opinions Editor Style Editor Spread Editor
Cornell University v. Jane Doe concerns an incident in which seven men in Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity allegedly drugged and gang-raped a 20-yearold female Cornell student anonymously known as Jane Doe on the night of October 19, 2024. The assault has sparked widespread debate across the nation. J a n e D o e’s c a s e w a s reintroduced to the New York State Court on September 16, 2026, after no criminal charges were pressed upon her rapists when she first brought the case to Cornell University police in 2024 due to a “lack of evidence,” according to Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. The civil lawsuit is suing the seven men, Cornell University, the Tri Delta sorority she belonged to, a local Ithaca bar she was served at, and Chi Phi, the fraternity where the rape occurred. When the case was originally brought to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office in 2024, it was decided that Doe’s voluntar y consumption of alcohol earlier in the night meant that the following rape was her responsibility, and the case was then dropped. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul stated on October 2, 2026, that she believed Jane Doe was “failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her.” Hochul decided to reassign the investigation from the Tompkins County District Attorney to New York Attorney General Letitia James, as special prosecutor. In the 101-page civil lawsuit filed, the seven men identified to have raped Doe were Toby
M o r t o n , Ma tt h e w I n g a l l s, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar, whose names were publicly released by the university’s student newspaper: The Cornell Daily Sun, on September 21, 2026. The night of her assault, Doe drank about 10 standard drinks of vodka at the Tri Delta sorority house until she was intoxicated, then went to a local college bar with her sorority sisters and “house mother” for a social event, where bartenders served her more alcohol despite her being underage. After leaving the first bar to go to another one, Doe became separated from the girls, leaving her alone. Doe then walked a mile to the Chi Phi house at 11pm to meet up with her male friend, Matthew Ingalls, who allegedly took her upstairs and heavily encouraged her to consume a substance that he told her was ketamine. In her original six-page statement to Cornell police, Doe said, "I had become extremely uncomfortable with how this night was turning out, so my thought was, if I do ketamine again, maybe I will pass out. My thought was that if I passed out and these men have sex with me, then they could have been charged with rape at this point." After multiple men assaulted her, a message was sent to the 57-person Chi Phi Snapchat group by Jonathan Newell at 1:42 in the morning, claiming there was “free p***y” upstairs, and anyone could join the harassment. Doe was unable to offer lawful consent due to her inebriated state, but the men proceeded to rape her despite this. Later, more messages were sent, including someone questioning, “shop still open?” The response was “Yea.” Doe lost consciousness at 5:45am, when the assault finally concluded after about seven hours. Fo l l o w i n g t h e a ssa u l t ,
Chi Phi was barre d from the university’s campus and received an interim suspension in November of 2024. They have remained unable to operate in affiliation with Cornell since then. Cornell recently released a statement saying they supported the decision to resurface the case, but they defended their handling of the situation back in 2024. The university had previously claimed that a “range of sanctions which included expulsions and suspensions” were applied to the seven men. Despite this claim, only two of the seven men were expelled, and the remaining five were required to write “reflection papers.” The other fifty men in the group chat— who did not physically assault Doe but also did not report the situation—were not considered for punishments whatsoever. As her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, described in the lawsuit, Doe is permanently traumatized and has been struggling to overcome the calamity. After the assault, Doe decided to leave Cornell for her mental health and return to her hometown. When she asked for her tuition money back, the school refused her request, leaving her isolated for an entire semester in the place that had taken nearly everything from her. Meanwhile, five of the men remain nearly unaffected, and some have even graduated. This case has received significant amounts of attention, yet there are thousands of similar cases across the globe that do not receive any recognition. Studies show that one in five women have been raped while less than one percent of sexual assaulters and rapists spend time in jail or prison. Doe’s case has shed light on the countless women who have been forced to stay silent on matters concerning their bodies for fear that their stories will be dismissed, just as Doe’s originally was. •
Kira Mitchiner Contributor
Jackson-Reed has chosen to switch the company it uses for the yearbook and senior photos from Lifetouch to CADY. The company advertises itself as “the largest senior photography company in the USA,” and guarantees quality in their services. JR administrators’ explanation behind the switch described that while Lifetouch provided general picture-taking services, CADY’s products feature various packages that encompass many kinds of student and staff portraits. Seniors booking yearbook photos have the option to reserve a spot during in-school shoots (taking place on September 23rd and November 10th), or book a session at one of CADY’s two available studio locations. While some students appreciated the professional feel of the company, others noted that the website was overwhelming and challenging to navigate. Senior Hope Ternet described “too many different options” for specialty packages and background scenes, and was especially “confused that they offered hair and makeup services.” The biggest concern surrounding CADY’s accessibility to students, shared by administrators and seniors alike, is how far away their studio locations are from
school. CADY’s Herndon Studio is close to Dulles International Airport, about 40 minutes out from JR. In addition, their Linthicum Heights Studio, located just outside Baltimore, is over an hour away. While both locations are available through public transport, the total transit time doubles when taking the bus or metro, and multiple transfers are required. Brandon Hall, Director of Strategy and Logistics at JR, acknowledges this inconvenience compared to the past where “Lifetouch would have all of the senior pictures here.” Senior Christian Goletiani, who visited the Linthicum Heights Studio for his senior portraits, highlighted how polished and enjoyable the shoot felt. He described that numerous photographers “catered to [him]” and “each had personalities and came up with their own poses.” On Canvas’ dashboard page, an announcement by the school provides a link to schedule senior portraits as well as a document answering some frequently asked questions about booking to assist students in navigating the site and choosing the package that’s right for them. Additionally, as the in-school senior photo sessions begin, seniors can visit the CADY website to find the Session Prep Checklist, which outlines hair and attire tips to consider before the day of. JR predicts that it will continue to collaborate with CADY for picture day in the coming years, including for future classes’ senior portraits. •
GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
"Correct the Maps”: UN adopts new world map projection Vivian Whitelaw Junior Editor
For centuries, humans have relied on using the Mercator map projection to view our world. However, many students have never considered the difficulties of trying to represent a 3D shape on a 2D surface, and the dangers of using a map that inaccurately represents the Earth. The Mercator map projection was originally created for sea travel and navigation between continents in 1569, so while the general shapes of landmasses are preserved from the 3D form, the sizes have become distorted. Land masses stretch larger the farther that are from the poles. On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted the Equal Earth
projection. Although the UN is not forcing countries to change every map used or completely get rid of the traditional Mercator map, they encourage wider use of the Equal Earth projection. The “Correct the Maps” resolution was introduced by Togo and supported by the African Union, on the part of the African Group. The resolution’s goal is to change the way Africa is perceived on the Mercator map. On the map, Greenland looks to be a similar size to Africa; when in reality, Africa is 14 times larger than Greenland. Landmasses are stretched as the map gets farther from the equator, which makes the North and South Poles look larger than they are. European nations, too, appear to be enlarged and at
the center of the map, which many believe encourages European supremacy and imperialistic ideas. World History II teacher Mr. Cassidy explains, “[the Mercator map] will influence how
people see the size of Africa and therefore it could change people's perceptions in terms of being more prominent.” He continues, “One thing the African Union is trying to do is take all the little voices and bring them together
so that they function as a body, as a continent…and therefore you can demand more authority and demand to be recognized for what you offer the world.” However, the Equal Earth projection also has its faults, such as distorting the shape and angles of continents while trying to keep the size, making it less suitable for navigational purposes. However, with current technology this is not a significant problem as world maps are prominently used for display and education, not navigation. Mr. Cassidy stresses that although there are imperfections in the map, “it is a move in the right direction.” He continues to explain that the map “will be more helpful in terms of students seeing how large the land
masses actually are in comparison to one another…What people need to realize is that more maps are applicable…each map has a different function.” Togo’s foreign minister Robert Dussey explained that “maps shape our understanding of the world.” He continued by stating, “they guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions.” However, there are still many critics who wonder about the consequences of changing the maps. For example, the United States saw this measure as a political stance, even though the map does not make the countries near the poles smaller, rather Africa bigger. Mr. Cassidy emphasises that, “educators need to do a better job at making sure that a variety of maps are available to students.” • GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
The Beacon
FEATURES
4
A spotlight on Ms. Huarhua
Must-take AP courses
Will Jones Contributor
Caroline Wilding Opinions Editor
In the sundrenched suburbs of Arequipa, Peru, a girl moves to "La Chubia", a slow-paced but rhythmic dance beat outside with her father. Wearing vibrant hues of red and yellow, she takes the first steps in learning the dances that she'll carry with her throughout her life. Mely Huarhua Ortiz has been teaching Spanish at Jackson-Reed High School for almost two years, and is known for her gregarious and warm personality. "She's a great teacher, super energetic, and really involved," one student remarked. "She’s willing to go into extreme detail to help us learn during a class discussion." Joining JR last year, she jumped in with confidence and took on several levels of Spanish classes. As a student in her Spanish IV class last year, it's evident that she is dedicated to teaching and "really wants everyone to grow," a current student put it. Teaching is not her only passion, however; she’s been dancing for even longer. A Peruvian native, Huarhua picked up dancing early in her home city of Arequipa. "My father taught me basic dance movements in my early childhood. When I was eleven years old, I participated in a dance competition and my group won! I realized I was good at it, and I knew I could pursue it." She recalled, "My picture was in the newspaper a few days later. My teacher saw the picture and showed it to me and the class! She was so proud!” The competition was what started Huarhua’s passion for dance.
Let’s face it: high school is all about college. Yearly schedules are created with the intent of boosting your GPA as much as possible, and the new “normal” is taking classes that demonstrate extreme rigor. While you definitely don’t need to take seven Advanced Placement (AP) classes in one year, there are a few standout APs per grade that you should have on your transcript to appear competitive to colleges. Sophomore year is the first year when you can start taking AP classes at Jackson-Reed, and if you can, you should take AP Human Geography and/or AP Psychology. These courses are a great introduction to the workload of an AP class while still having relatively easy free-response tactics to master. You’ll learn basic college-level writing tips in addition to memorizing a lot of content and applying it to real-world situations. Having these classes on your transcript demonstrates a desire to
PHOTO COURTESY OF MELY HUARHUA ORTIZ
SPANISH SPOTLIGHT - Mely Huarhua Ortiz starts her second year at JR
Huarhua loves spreading dance wherever she goes, as "dancing is an expression of culture,” adding that it “makes me very happy, and it makes others happy too.” She's even expressed her love for dance within the school. In preparation for Hispanic Heritage Night, her dance club hosts a handful of students and spends lunch periods learning and practicing together. They play several ethnic rhythms while dancing, smiling, and laughing. Outside the campus, Huarhua now dances with a large group in DC, performing in parades, celebrations, and even family reunions. "It even helps me in the classroom!" She exclaimed, "All of us need time to do something separately from work. I always allow time in my schedule to be spent dancing.” From Arequipa to DC, Huarhua has expressed love for dance all over. "It's human nature to express ourselves, and that's what it does," she told me, "But most importantly, it unites us." •
As the days get shorter and homework piles up, it’s important to remember all the best parts of our time away from school. So, here is your 2026 summer recap! First up is season eight of the infamous Love Island USA, the dating show that seemingly takes over the world every summer. The newest season hit almost 19 billion minutes watched, making it the most watched streaming series of the summer, but are we really surprised? Love Island USA was so popular that their beloved host, Ariana Madix, was nominated for an Emmy following the release of season eight. There’s no summer without Love Island USA and this season made that explicitly clear. Speaking of love, the newlywed Tom Holland and Zendaya costarred in two summer blockbusters, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. Spider-Man: Brand New Day was released on July 31st, and it's the top-ranked film of 2026, grossing over $2.4 billion worldwide. The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, was released on July 17th. The adaptation of the ancient Greek epic grossed almost $1.6 billion worldwide and featured stars like Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, and
enhance your knowledge of yourself and the world in addition to taking on a more strenuous workload in your first couple of years in high school. Everyone knows junior year is known for being the most difficult, but much of that is attributed to many students’ schedules being chalked full of AP classes. In reality, there’s really only three APs that should definitely be on your transcript in junior year, and they are AP Language and Composition, AP U.S. History, and an AP science course. AP Lang and APUSH are the most writing-heavy classes you can take during your highschool career, and the fact of the matter is that most kids across the nation have these two APs on their transcript; so if you want a fighting chance at competitive colleges, it would be in your best interest to take these two. An AP science course is the perfect way to show you can handle content-heavy work that is likely rooted in more complex systems than humanitiesbased classes, and is perfect for
showing dedication to rigor,
especially if you’re interested in going into a STEM field. Don’t let the myths fool you: senior year is just as important as any of the other grades, so it’s super important to show that you haven’t clocked out. The best way to do this is to take AP Literature and Composition and an AP math class at the very least. No matter what grade-level math you’re at, you will be taking an AP math course during your senior year (unless you completed all your credits starting freshman year). Whether that be AP Precalculus, AP Calculus, or AP statistics, it shows you can handle high-level math. If you took AP Lang, AP Lit is the next course you should be taking in the English sequence. Obviously, if you can, take AP Comparative Government to enhance your analysis skills further and relay them onto paper, and if you’ve already taken an AP science, it makes logical sense to simply continue on that path. Taking AP classes is a great way to prepare yourself for college and show that you can handle highlevel analysis in various subjects. However, at the end of the day, your goal should always be to do something you love with your life; so focus on showing passion for the things you enjoy through the classes you take. You don’t need to take a million APs because “that’s what everyone does,” you should take the ones that interest you and work hard to excel in them. As long as you do that, I guarantee you will get to where you need to be. •
GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
Summer 2026 pop culture recap Annie Griffin Junior Editor
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
Robert Pattinson. Anne Hathaway also walked multiple red carpets this summer, promoting the longawaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, which was released this summer. Though those weren't the only blockbuster movies being released this summer, the horror film Obsession, also released this summer, was produced with a budget of only $750,000 and ended up grossing over $500 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film produced for under $1 million. Entertainment was the main theme of this summer with hit movies, TV shows, and new music! There were a ton of hit music releases to keep us busy. Olivia Rodrigo released You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love, her third studio album, on June 12th. It combines a dreamy, romantic vibe with a distinctly emotional and heartbroken undertone. The album charted at No. 1 in over 20 countries, and all 13 songs on the album entered the Billboard Top 30. If you were looking for another depressing but well-loved album, Phoebe Bridgers also dropped a new album this summer; Lost Weekend debuted on August 14th. In her typical style, the songs are deeply emotional and unpack complex themes of grief and disillusionment of fame; it might wreck you, but you all should give her a listen!
On the topic of musicians, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot on July 3rd! The ceremony and reception were very secretive, with the couple enforcing a strict nophone policy. The event took place at Madison Square Garden with a guest list of 1000 people, featuring many stars. Summer wasn’t just about music, movies, and celebrity moments. Sports fans also had plenty to keep up with, especially when the world’s biggest sporting event came to North America. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the first to be jointhosted by three countries: the US, Mexico, and Canada. This World Cup was also the largest ever, increasing from 36 to 48 teams. Spain ultimately took the championship win, making them two-time world champions. On the topic of Sports, the 2026 NBA Finals were in June. Ultimately, the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, making history as the first time the Knicks have won an NBA championship since 1973. From binge-worthy shows and blockbuster movies to new music and unforgettable sports moments, summer 2026 was one to remember. Even though it might be over, the moments and memories that made this summer so special will stick with us as we start the new school year. •
Reduce, reuse, recycle fashion trends Leah Fletcher Junior Editor
You might have heard the saying, “The trend cycle is accelerating,” but what does this truly mean? The trend cycle is the repeating loop of clothes that come in and out of style, and that loop is rapidly speeding up. Trends used to originate from the seasonal lines of luxury brands; more accessible brands would soon copy; and then consumers would pick up on these trends. This trend wouldn’t change until the next clothing line or a few lines after. Now, we are consuming so much content and so many opinions, with social media and short-form content acting as a vessel for fashion critique and style tips. There are thousands of fashion influencers sharing their outfits of the day or fashion hauls. Before you know it, it feels like every cool girl you follow is wearing the same fabulous piece of clothing, and the natural progression is to want it. And then before we know it, a new video and a new piece is trending. This also applies to makeup, skincare, books, hobbies, diets, and more. It seems like everything has been packaged into a trend. Brands have also caught on,
and now more than ever it feels like influencers are always being sponsored by someone. It is also much less upfront and regulated; it can be very hard to tell whether an influencer is getting paid to say something. By sponsoring just a few popular influencers, a brand can create the illusion that everyone owns something. This makes consumers want something because of the trust they have in influencers’ opinions. So, what happens when you are not an influencer and can’t afford whatever the “in” items are? We look to fast fashion. Buying whatever popular items are in and then, a month or so later, buying the new hot thing is made possible by fast fashion. This not only accelerates the trend cycle, but exponentiates our waste. Now, I’m not saying don’t buy new clothes or consume fashion content, but I do push you to be aware. We are all slowly turning into the same person who wears, watches, does, and eats the same thing. As we keep up with trends, we are buying and throwing things away at a rate like never before. So, I encourage you to stay educated and think through your next purchase. •
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026• THE BEACON
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Where they've been and are going : Tiger catching up with JR alumni Maddie Goldberg Contributor
After graduation day arrives and students leave high school behind, it can be easy to forget how much of your life was shaped by those four years. Graduation can feel like the end of an era, but years later, alumni look back upon how Jackson-Reed influenced their life. Laurel Clarke, a 2025 graduate attending North Carolina State University, and Andy Burris, a 2021 graduate who attended Brown University and works in computer science and design in Boston. Both say that JR prepared them well for the challenges of life after high school, especially when it comes to independence and friendship. One of the things Burris misses most is something is easy to take for granted: being able to see his closest friends every day. He remembers walking around the building with friends before classes and spending time with them at school. Now that he has graduated from college and entered the working world, he said that it has become much harder to regularly spend time with friends. “[Having] a time every day where you get to be with your best friends is a blessing that I didn’t realize at the time,” Burris said. When he came to college, he thought that he would have to leave those friendships behind and build a new social circle. Instead, he discovered quite the opposite. “Since college I've spent more time with high school friends. It’s so lucky to stay in touch with the people you grow up with. You have so much history and love with those people,” Burris said. Many of his closest friends now are people he has known since elementary school.
Clarke also misses the people she saw daily at JR. She mentioned a few of her former teachers: English teacher Jenna Postler, social studies teacher Robert Geremia and biology teacher Daniela Munoz. She reminisced about the time she spent in Munoz’s classroom during lunch. When she comes back to DC, she tries to visit JR as much as possible. Both alumni said that JR helped prepare them for college. For Clarke, one of the most important lessons was independence. While JR’s academic structure wasn’t as strict as she expected, it helped her gain the confidence to manage her own schedule and responsibilities. She said that students had access to office hours and other academic support, but were mostly expected to take responsibility for their own work. That independence, combined with her involvement in extracurriculars, like soccer, helped her learn how to balance academics with other commitments. At NC State, Clarke is on the club soccer team and is part of the National Society for Black Women in Medicine. She currently works in a research lab focused on mast cell activation syndrome research. Burris also believes that attending an urban public school gave him experiences that helped him adjust to life beyond high school. At Brown, he noticed that many of his peers had gone to private schools. He said JR exposed students to a broader range of people and experiences while still providing a strong education. Although he acknowledged that public school can have its downsides, he believes that learning to navigate that environment helped prepare him for the real world. One of Burris’ biggest lasting
Tracks
connections to high school came through Ultimate Frisbee. He loved playing on the team and continued playing at Brown. The sport gave him a competitive, social and active community, helping him connect with friends in college and beyond. He also credits JR teachers with having a lasting influence. He mentioned social studies teacher Matthew Burgoyne, who pushed Burris to become a better writer. D espite their p ositive experiences, both alumni have things they wish they had done differently. Clarke said that high school was largely consumed by academics and soccer. Looking back, she wishes she had participated in more clubs and taken advantage of opportunities like the BioMed Academy, despite knowing it would be difficult. Her advice to current students is to take opportunities even when they feel intimidating. “Don’t hold yourself back, if you see an experience that might be nerve-wracking, at least try to take it on.” Burris had similar advice, wishing that he had tried more clubs and used those opportunities to meet new people. For current students, he emphasized the importance of finding something they genuinely care about. “It’s very important to have creative things to work on in life,” he said. He added that there is a significant pressure in college to find the “right” career, but focusing on things that genuinely excite you makes that process easier. Now, several years out of high school, both alumni appreciate their time at JR. Although leaving high school means losing the everyday routines of student life, Clarke and Burris said those experiences–and the people they shared them with– last far beyond graduation. •
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism hosts "Breakast for Dinner"
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ACADEMY OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
SUCCESSFUL NIGHT - Hospitality and Tourism students prepare for their annual Breakfast for Dinner for academy parents.
Graphic Design Academy hears from fomer NASA photographer Chris Gunn
Jackson-Reed welcomes Mrs. Broxton Vivian Whitelaw Junior Editor
A new school year welcomes many new teachers to the JacksonReed community, each teacher bringing a unique background and expertise to the table. Clancy Broxton is the new Academy of Global Service and Diplomacy teacher. Working with the esteemed David Heckler, they lead the academy, which is devoted to teaching students about the function of government, foreign service, and national security and helping students find internships that will set them up for college and careers. Broxton began her international career working as a high school teacher in Guangzhou, China after college. She then moved to Beijing and taught college students before getting a job with Doctors Without Borders, working primarily on health issues in eastern China. Broxton said, "I always interested in communist systems. Growing up in a time when the Soviet Union had fallen apart, I was curious as to how communist systems operate and why they might work or not work.” She returned to the United States for graduate school, mastering in international relations, and later
got a US-based job working for a nongovernmental organization called Population Services International. After working in global health for four years, Broxton continued her international career in a position at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where she worked for 16 years serving as a foreign service officer and civil servant in various positions. While mainly working in DC, she also worked to provide support in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. After USAID was dismantled, she taught at a high school in Arlington, focusing on World History before her friend recommended she apply to work at Jackson-Reed. Her friend told her it was the perfect role because it “combined [her] global work and teaching experience and there are not many other positions with that possibility.” Broxton explained that the job gives her “a chance to share [her] experience and to talk [with the students] about things that really interest [her]. But also to work with students who are really interested in global careers and hopefully motivate them to be interested in global careers, because it was really fantastic for [her].” Broxton says AGS "gives students an opportunity to learn
PHOTO COURTESY OF GROVER MASSENBURG
GUEST SPEAKER - Students in the Graphic Design Academy learned about Chris Gunn's process for taking photos.
The Beacon moves into a new office! PHOTO COURTESY BY CLANCY BROXTON
WELCOME TO JR - Clancy Broxton joins teaching staff as Academy of Global Services and Diplomacy teacher
about a global career at a time when you are still sort of forming your interests, you can find out what it is like to work in a global career and what are the topics you would learn about if you went on to study international relation.” She finished by describing how global careers are incredibly broad and encompass a wide range of opportunities, so the academy is ideal for students going into many different types of jobs, or if they are simply interested in learning about how the United States and the rest of the world operates •
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PHOTO BY KENNEDY GAYLE
CELEBRATING OUR OFFICE - Beacon Senior Staff pose in their new office, thanks AP Minsker and Ms. Gayle for supporting us! From left to right: Clare Bates, Peyton Shum, Padget Bowers-Shreve, Eva Solomon, Jordana Sloane, Desmond Parsons
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THE BEACON • FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
Ellen Ochoa: bringing diversity all the way to space Avani Patel Arabella Bernstein William Tucker News Editor Junior Editor Contributor
Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th and goes until October 15th. Throughout the US's history, Hispanic and Latino people have made major contributions to our culture, education, and innovation, which is why it’s important to highlight specific people who have made a difference. Ellen Ochoa, a Mexican woman in STEM, is one of these people. Not only was she a groundbreaking contributor to space travel, but also engineering research and nuclear weapon development. She was born May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, to Joseph and Rosanne Ochoa. Her paternal grandparents immigrated from Sonora, Mexico, to Arizona and later to California. Ochoa was the middle of five children, and neither of her parents received college degrees. However, her mother, Orsanne, began attending college when Ellen was baby because she wanted to set an example for her children. This example would eventually inspire Ochoa to attend college herself.
Ochoa attended San Diego State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1980. She went on to continue her education at Stanford University's Department of Electrical Engineering, earning a master of science’s degree in 1981 and PhD in 1985. After completing her education, Ochoa conducted research focused on optical systems used for information processing. At NASA Ames Research Center, she led a research group working primarily on optical systems for automated space exploration. At Sandia National Laboratories, she worked on research involving nuclear weapons. Ochoa’s work as an engineer also led to three patents. Her inventions include an optical inspection system that was designed to detect defects in repeating patterns, an automated inspection system and a method and apparatus designed to recognize texture patterns from photos. Her work in engineering and research eventually led her toward a career with NASA as an astronaut. Ochoa was selected as part of NASA’s 1990 class of astronauts and became one in July of 1991. During her career, she served in
several important roles, including crew representative for flight software, computer hardware and robotics, assistant for space station to chief of the astronaut office, lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control, and acting as deputy chief of the astronaut office. In 1993, Ochoa became the first Latina to travel to space. She spent nine days on a mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Throughout her career, she became a veteran of four spaceflights and logged nearly 1000 hours in space. One of her missions, STS-96, was especially meaningful as it marked the first docking of a space shuttle with the International Space Station. Ochoa’s accomplishments continued after her retirement from being an astronaut. She became the first Latina Director and the second female director of the Johnson Space Center. She extended beyond engineering and NASA and into children’s literature. In 2022, she wrote We Are All Scientists, a bilingual STEM book for children, encouraging early reading to explore space and science. Ochoa has received numerous accolades for her accomplishments. In 2018, she was inducted into the International Air and Space Hall of Fame class,
and in 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden. In 2025, Mattel, the creator of Barbie, released a Barbia in Ochoa’s honor as part of Women’s History Month. With multiple degrees, patents, and NASA missions, Ellen Ochoa is important to highlight. Her continuous research and dedication to science helped encourage diversity
and accessibility in STEM, an important concept today. Numerous accolades and awards, almost 1000 hours in space, and important roles at NASA work together to show her significance. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the culture and diversity of the melting pot known as the US, and highlighting its importance. •
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Listen to your elders, Your guide to designing a get some advice from one-in-a-million app a senior Ailsa Lama Contributor
Once again, back-to-school season is here, but this time it feels a little different. I can’t tell if it's because it's my senior year or if every first day of school has felt like this. The excitement and nervousness of meeting your teachers, the conversations with your friends at lunch and briefly in the halls, comparing your schedules with them to see if you have any classes together, and the long line to switch your schedule on the first day come with a lot of memories. Every year, the patterns are the same; what are you wearing for the first day of school? What about the second day of school? Where are we sitting for lunch? Where are we meeting before and after school? While things remain constant, the feelings about the first day change every year. Some people say they feel excited and jittery for the first day every year. But for seniors, we've been down this road for four years straight and are ready to walk across that stage in June. At this point, we know what’s coming. We walk into the long line at the front door, meet with our friends in the halls, and walk to class together, even if we’re not going to the same place. But this time, it's a little different for us. Seniors have free periods where we are able to go to our jobs, get some work done, or, more
importantly, get that Common App done. For juniors, you haven't gotten to the worst yet, so enjoy your first semester while you can and rest up, because you will need it! Junioritis is no joke when winter season creeps up. Make sure to stay on top of everything, stay organized, and don’t get burnt out. Most importantly, communicate with your teachers, friends, and family to avoid stress and an overload of work. Sophomores, enjoy your year because Junioritis and Senioritis are not a myth. Take time to learn about yourself and others. This year is the year to try something different and enjoy your high school life, do fun things, meet new people, and most importantly stay on top of assignments to build strong study habits. Lastly, freshmen, a whole new chapter in a different environment can be nerveracking, but I promise it’s also exciting. Everyone’s been on that path before and survived. If you were to ask anyone from each grade about their freshman year, they would say that it was the easiest and most fun year they had in school. •
Leila Lipton Contributor
As the use of phones and technology increases, so does the need and usage of apps; and as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to improve, making software for apps becomes increasingly easier. But with over 2.5 million apps existing today, how do you make an app that is popular? This is the exact question that Clara Doyle, Jackson-Reed class of 2026 and former Beacon Editor-inChief, answered when she described how she invented “The World is Your Oyster”, an app that connects
GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES
users to the different events and activities in Washington DC to encourage people to socialize in the aftermath of the pandemic. This app won the Congressional App Award for DC in 2024. Microsoft states that apps need to be easy to use and efficiently help the user achieve their purpose. Not only does this increase the usage of the app, but it can also increase the sales and revenue. Brainstorming the app idea is where things get tricky. With so many existing apps, creating a new and original concept becomes difficult. Microsoft suggests that you thinking of a clear purpose for your app, doing planning and research, and making sure that it addresses all the problems that it is aimed to resolve. After this, you must research existing apps to ensure that your plan is not mimicking previously existing apps or websites. After your research and planning, you have to create the app and test it before sending it off to the public. These steps are followed for the apps submitted to the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), where middle and high schoolers from all over the country submit apps of their making alongside a video explaining what the app does and how it works. Winning projects get their work and name displayed inside the US Capitol Building for one year. The winners are also invited to present at the annual #HouseOfCode reception and science fair in DC,
where they showcase their apps live to Members of Congress, tech leaders, and national media. According to the CAC website, 394 Members of The House of Representatives hosted these App Challenges, and students from each state, including DC, are declared winners. “More than 13,800 students from across the country participated, submitting over 4,600 original apps focused on real-world challenges ranging from health and accessibility to education, sustainability, and civic engagement,” the website writes. The DC winner from last year, a graduate of student at St. Albans School, said, “[he] was inspired to create this app for many reasons. But the main reason is that when [he] was younger, [he] always wanted to get into investing, but couldn’t take courses that were fun and comprehensive enough. Because of this, [he] wanted to create DIVENDO so that all young people could learn about finance and investing and be in a better place going into adulthood.” Making apps is not limited to certain people, even students can make apps. In fact, another one of Jackson Reed's students, senior Arjun Bhat, made an app to help families decide what movies to watch. His app, named Marquee: Family Movie Night, is free with no ads and is available on the Apple app store. Doyle and Bhat’s apps are examples of creative and unique apps. Throughout the years, countless students at Jackson-Reed have made their own apps and who knows, the next contest winning app could be yours. •
The Beacon
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
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Pumpkin, spice, and everything On siblings at school nice! Let’s talk about fall Tessa Frantz Esme Nooruddin News Editor Director of New Staff
Fall! Where to even begin? There are so many changes, from back to school to colder weather. Some of these changes are good things, while others bring hours of stress and are absolutely unforgivable (I’m looking at you, Common App). Despite these harrowing circumstances, fall still prevails as the superior season. One of the best parts of the season is, of course, the food that fall brings. As soon as sweaters start getting pulled out of the back of everyone’s closets, you know it’s time to bake an apple pie, munch on some apple cider donuts, and convince yourself, as you do every year, that pumpkin spice is the most delicious thing you’ve ever had. With early fall comes apple picking, which is a fall classic. Walking around giant orchards with all varieties of apples is much more fun than it should be, plus the apples are infinitely better than anything you can get in the grocery store. Not to mention, eating them feels so much more rewarding knowing they are the literal fruit of your own labor. There is almost nothing better than eating a homemade apple crumble made with the apples you hand-picked. Hot apple cider is also a classic fall treat. It helps to warm you up from the cold and tastes like the true essence of fall. Maybe the most popular drink of the fall is the pumpkin spice latte. Every year, when Starbucks
officially rolls out the fall menu, mobs of people swarm to the stores to get the iconic pumpkin spice-flavored drinks. Even though they’ve been here for 23 years, they bring an equal amount of excitement every time. Pumpkin spice is always good, but never as good as you remember it being last fall. However, this will never change their status as a symbol signifying the start of fall, bringing with them all the other lovable things about the season. Halloween is at the top of our minds right now, with five days of celebration imminent. Fall is known for Halloween. In
fact, the entire season has been dubbed “Spooky Season” in honor of the holiday. There is a reason why we love the holiday; we are guaranteed parties and sugar built into the weekends surrounding it. Halloween is the light at the end of the long tunnel that is September–October, but Halloween isn’t the only holiday that makes fall great. There is nothing better than having something to look forward to. In the fall months, Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching, leaving us with something to anticipate (assuredly, we started our Thanksgiving countdown in September). While we might never
reach these major holidays, the anticipation makes these months so much easier than in the winter months like January and February, when there is nothing but mediocre holidays (Valentine's Day) to look forward to. Part of the reason we look forward to these holidays is the breaks from school, so it would be wrong not to highlight the best month of fall: No School November. The many days off in November provide us with the time to go to the football games or apple picking. There is time to actually participate in fall activities, unlike in the spring, where we are bombarded with AP preparation and exams. After what feels like a lifetime of over 90-degree days with atrocious amounts of humidity, the cooler temperature of fall is a welcome change. DC fall brings the best weather of all the seasons. You’re not subjected to the heat, cold slush, or endless rainy days. It's just good weather all around. The weather is even easier to enjoy in the presence of fall foliage. The leaves turn beautiful oranges and reds, and it’s hard to not feel like you’re in an episode of Gilmore Girls. Also, we’re bigtime promoters of ranking the crunchiness of leaves to kill time. (Ccrrrrunch! That was a 10/10.) As fall comes and goes, it’s easy to let these amazing days slip away, so as you're bombarded with assignments, 40 pages of assigned reading in one night (B day Fridays should be illegal), and the overall stress of the school year, don’t forget to enjoy everything that makes this season great! • GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
Wait, why am I even taking this? Annie Stillerman Nora Freed Junior Editors
Everyone talks about the infamous junior year stacked period to period with stress. But what makes it so stressful? One could only guess it is the absurd amount of Advanced Placement (AP) classes that everyone seems to take. For some reason, the myth is that those who don’t take at least three APs junior year are in the minority, essentially making it the year of the AP Olympics. APs are no longer an accelerated course for those who want rigorous instruction in specific subjects, or want college credit for classes. Instead, they have become simply the next level of your core classes. As the years have progressed, an extremely toxic and competitive nature surrounding education has emerged, and a large part of that is attributed to this growing AP culture. When students who may not want to take APs are expected to take the harder class and excel in it, the bar that labels you as a “standout student” is raised. As taking a large numberamount of APs becomes more common by
the year, that bar just keeps getting higher, making it difficult to rely on AP classes being comprised of kids who actually want to be there. It seems like every person you talk to is talking about the six APs and two dual enrollment classes they’re enrolled in. So as a student, what are you supposed to do? You can either take the on-level class and risk feeling like you are falling behind, or you can be miserable doing hours of homework for a class you don’t actually care about. And as wepeople get APs under our belts, we promise you will be miserable. Another major factor of this toxicity is the competitiveness of college applications. Once you get to junior year, basically every conversation you have is centered around college. Every aunt you see for the first time in four years all of a sudden is hyper-interested in your academic prowess and yaps out hundreds of stories about her college days. And trust us, once the College Board has your email, there is no going back. The last two years of high school are designed for students to get sucked into this spiral of what they are going to do, where they are going to go after high school
ends, and most importantly, how they are going to get there. Unfortunately for those of us aspiring to attend college, there seems to be only one way to get there: being the exact student a school with thousands of applicants just like you wants. That system directly creates competition. The first thing that every applicant wants to show a school is their record-breaking GPA, so the first thing that everybody thinks when selecting classes is to take the classes that will boost it: APs. So, if you are a sophomore picking out your schedule for junior year, and you see that you can replace every single core class with a GPA booster, you are going to take that opportunity. More than that, when everyone around you is piling their schedules with these harder classes, you are bound to think you need to do the same. But it is imperative to remember that, in reality, APs are not just the next class;, they are courses designed to challenge those who really want to be challenged. So when you are sitting in an AP class you don’t care about, it is only natural to ask yourself, " Wait wait, why am I even taking this?” •
Caroline Wilding Opinions Editor
School has officially started, so it’s time to talk about having a sibling at Jackson-Reed. Everyone has a different opinion on seeing their sibling in the hallway; some people love it, others pretend they’re complete strangers, and then you’ve got the ones who just give a nonchalant nod and keep walking. More often than not, I get the nod, but it doesn’t matter because there are numerous benefits to having my brother at school. Let me start by saying that I’m extra lucky and have a twin brother. So, not only have I had the awkward wave-with-no-response in the hallway, but I’ve also had classes with the guy and even—uni ntentionally—been sat next to him. But, as annoying and unresponsive as he can be, I truly don’t know what I’d do without him. The most obvious benefit to having a sibling who goes to JR, especially in the same grade as you, is that they can be your builtin homework buddy. Question sixteen on that packet is giving you trouble? No need to call three people who may or may not know what they’re doing; you can just yell across the house and hope your sibling is in a good enough mood to help you out. Missed some work because you were on a field trip? No
problem, your sibling can fill you in on absolutely everything! If you happen to be the younger sibling, use that to your advantage. If you have a teacher who liked your older sibling when they had them, sneak their name into a conversation in the first few weeks of school and boom: you’ve already made friends with a teacher, which is always a win. Not to mention that by having a sibling, you will automatically know people beyond just your social circle. Whether you like it or not, you will have to interact with your siblings’ friends, but I promise it’s not that bad. Many of my brother’s friends have become mine as well, and usually they say hi to me more often than he does. Here’s the thing. As annoying as saying hi to your brother or sister can be when you’re on your way to class and running on four hours of sleep, there will indefinitely be a time in your life when you don’t see your sibling every day. You’ll remember the time when you were lucky enough to get a wave from them in the hallway, back when you lived under the same roof, and you will regret just walking past them. So, don’t be strangers to your siblings in the hallway—it’s not as cool as you think it is—and instead, realize how lucky you are to get the opportunity to even exist in the same vicinity as them. •
Dear Sydney Sweeney, stop sexualizing sports Orly Jossen Sports Editor
When I opened Instagram this September 14th, I wasn’t expecting to see Sydney Sweeney, with two footballs strategically placed over her chest, trying to sell me a sports betting platform. But I should’ve known better. The ad released by Novig, a U.S sports prediction market, highlighted the platform's singular focus: “just sports” betting. The reaction to Sweeney repeating the word “sports” over and over again— while posing in hockey equipment, with soccer balls, and tennis rackets to cover her nudity—was swift. Female athletes like Olympic track and field athlete Hannah Lucy Williams posted videos of themselves competing, with text overlayed, reading “Hey Sydney Sweeney, this is what a woman in sports looks like btw”. Women’s sports have had a long road when it comes to sexualization and objectification of female bodies. All American gymnast Gracie Kramer took to social media to say, “to see women's sports once again being marketed through the male gaze feels like a massive step backward. We should not have to take our clothes off to convince men that women belong in sports, or that we're only worth watching if we're showing enough
skin”. Female athletes have fought to have their bodies seen through a lens of strength instead of sexuality, and ads like this further associate achievement in women’s sports with how an athlete looks, rather than what she does. The issue many had with the ad didn’t stem from Sweeney displaying her body, or being proud of it. It was, as world champion boxer Skye Nicolson said, about making a “mockery” of women in sport. Nicolson highlighted how, “there’s a big difference between looking ‘sexy’ because you do sport compared to use sex to sell ‘sport’”. In addition, Sweeney is an equity holder and investor in Novig, and had creative control over the “Just Sports” advertisement. The ad also says something unsettling about sports marketing in general. It pushes the idea that, to be successful, brands have to operate within a patriarchal system. Sell things to men—that are harmful to them—through the hypersexualizing of women. Gambling is the most common addiction in the U.S. This ad shows how using images of female sexuality can help attract a vulnerable male audience, already interested in sports, to an addiction that can be detrimental both to them and to the sport they enjoy. •
OPINIONS
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The solution to the new computers Esme Nooruddin Avani Patel Director of New Staff News Editor
This school year, DCPS graced us with much-needed new computers. After dealing with missing keys and an inability to copy and paste, we all welcomed the new laptops in August. However, since then, these new computers have proved less than spectacular. Our first grievance is that these computers are painfully slow. You ask it to open Canvas, and it immediately starts to struggle. Perhaps the slowness could be excused if, on top of that, the screen did not also freeze after every other word typed. Suddenly you cannot open Canvas because your screen has frozen five times in the process, and once it finally does open, it freezes after typing three words. The freezing makes the course work harder on already unmotivated students than it should be. If the computer gave up, I guess we should too. Our second grievance lies with the numerous updates our computers require before we can even begin to use them. During the first weeks of school, the help desk was packed with students who were simply trying to get their computers to do more than just turn on. This begs the question: why didn't DCPS start updating these computers prior to the school year? Did no one think that, perhaps, the brand-new computers being handed to students might need a little help beforehand? If DCPS knew we were getting new computers, why weren’t the
necessary updates completed before the start of school? Instead, students spent an unnecessary amount of time waiting for their computers to finish their updates. Mind you, computers that were supposed to make our lives easier. What makes this struggle the most annoying is that there is a clear way out: just bring your personal computer. All personal devices were banned last year after the DCPS phone ban. Despite this ban, though, students brought their personal computers because it made life easier (no one wants to have to lug around another computer after school). This year, the students who have brought their personal computers to school have had them confiscated. While policy is policy, it seems counterproductive to our learning. For the p e ople lucky enough to have them, personal computers are a solution to the flaws of the new ones. Having personal computers in class has the ability to help everyone. This September, when students were unable to download anything, it was the students with personal computers who were able to download assignments and send them to the class. That should say something. When students with personal devices are the ones actually solving the problems created by school devices, maybe the problem isn’t the students. Maybe it’s the computers, but that’s just our opinion. If our new reality is these faulty computers, Jackson-Reed might also have to accept a reality with personal devices as well. • GRAPHIC BY NIKO BYRKIT-YAMASHITA
THE BEACON • FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
Are midterms a beacon of hope? Mabel Mason Rj Dasilva Contributors
With the House of Representatives and Senate starting the elections, Donald Trump has been doing everything in and out of his power to keep control. At the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday, September 10th, Trump jokingly led a pledge saying to “cheat like hell”. This was a remark on his continuous claims that he lost elections in the past because he claimed that they were rigged. In this pledge, he instructs the audience to vote even if they aren’t registered; he even goes to the point of stating that if they didn’t vote, they would “go to hell”. This pledge quickly gained attention and has gained hundreds of thousands of views on various social platforms. The thoughts and opinions are still being debated, with some saying it is comedic and others saying it is legally and politically reckless. Nonetheless, Trump’s words should be taken extremely seriously. His statements lead to the assumption that if the Democrats win this midterm, he will deny their win similar to the 2020 election. His sway over his violent supporters has proven before to be dangerous. Additionally, his dedication to this election is important to look at. Trump has been handed most things in his life, and he doesn't like to lose. Trump’s supporters don’t like to see him lose. In the weeks to come, who knows what may be said or done to win the vote in these divided times. Despite Trump’s efforts, this midterm is looking blue. Trump may finally get some pushback from Congress. For the past 80 years, midterm elections have resulted in the President’s party losing seats in the House. This is for many reasons, mainly because of frustration or disapproval with the
president. Currently, Republicans hold the majority by only four seats. After this midterm, the House is extremely likely to gain a Democratic majority, especially because people aren’t happy with Trump currently. His destructive and racist decisions may finally affect him negatively. The Senate is a less assured Democratic win. There are 53 Republicans and 45 Democrats in the Senate. This means that, to achieve the majority, Democrats will have to keep all 45 of their seats and flip five Republican states. But this isn’t as bleak as it seems. Based on current polling from Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico has been tying with, sometimes getting the majority over, Republican Ken Paxton. James Talarico is a young pastor; he quotes scripture in his speeches, and his family has long been in Texas. Most importantly, he is opposing Trump-endorsed Ken Paxton. With presidential approval being as low as it is, Texas could very well become a Democratic state. Talarico is a poster child of Texas values, but with more progressive political views. In some cases, Talarico has been polling above Paxton. That makes this midterm different than in the past. Talarico is what the people in Texas are looking for. He has religious values, he cares about his state, and he opposes Trump. Democrats and Republicans alike can agree on their disapproval of the president. On the other hand, states like Maine aren’t looking as good as Texas. In Maine, Democratic candidate Graham Platner dropped out of the race for the Senate. He faced multiple sexual assault charges, had racist and violent social media posts, and had a tattoo linked to Nazis. Obviously, because of this, he faced harsh backlash from the public and fellow politicians, who all encouraged
him to drop out of the election. In addition to the Democratic Party facing backlash from Platner’s actions and the need to find a new candidate, they also must face off against Susan Collins in Maine. Republican Senator Collins has been a senator from Maine since 1997. This means she is familiar, and many residents of Maine feel comfortable with the familiarity she presents. Despite all of this, Troy Jackson, the new Democratic candidate, has been polling slightly ahead of Collins. The race for Senate in Maine is a toss-up. These two states and states like them are so important at this time. The House is almost a guaranteed Democratic majority in this election, but winning over the Senate is vital. If Democrats can get the majority in all of Congress, they can free the USA from Trump’s inhumane policies and plans. One main purpose of the House and Senate is checks and balances. When Congress is under Trump’s thumb, he becomes a dictator. We need people advocating for human rights and keeping Trump in check. There is hope for the next two years of Trump’s presidency, and it all comes down to the results of this midterm. So, we should keep our eyes on Texas, Maine, Ohio, Alaska, and countless other states. We can only hope that the residents of those places clearly see how harmful Trump and his allies are to the US. • GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES
Why the Lindsay Clancy case is so important Emma Canedo Hadar Apostolou Junior Editor Contributor
You might have heard of the Lindsay Clancy case, but the significance goes far beyond what you might have seen on your For You page. Lindsay Clancy is a mother and former labor-anddelivery nurse who lived with her husband, Patrick Clancy, and her three children, Cora (five years), Dawson (three years), and Callan (eight months). On January 24, 2023, police arrived at the home of the Clancy family in Duxbury, Massachusetts, after Lindsay Clancy was found seriously injured laying in their backyard. Her three children were found face-down with resistance bands tied around their necks in the basement, unresponsive, and not long later, pronounced dead. Clancy survived her fall from the second floor and was charged with three counts of murder for strangling her children. She acknowledged causing her
children’s death, but the central issue of the case remains whether she should be held criminally responsible for her actions because she was experiencing postpartum psychosis, which has been overlooked many times. This case has caused huge speculation online. Thousands of people have made a multitude of claims about the case, the most common being that her husband, Patrick, is the true killer. Despite the conspiracies, this case raises important points. The case is centered around postpartum psychosis, which Clancy's defense specified and used to demonstrate that Lindsay was not adequately treated for her mental health struggles following her pregnancy, despite her efforts to receive help. The trial, which began in July 2026, included testimony from several of Lindsay's doctors. What came to light, though, was the lack of general understanding of what postpartum psychosis is, a serious mental health condition that can occur after childbirth and cause symptoms such as confusion, delusions, or hallucinations. In our
opinion, the lack of awareness surrounding this condition is one of the most important issues this case has revealed. This shows the heartbreaking reality of how serious postpartum mental health conditions can be when they are not fully understood or properly treated. The Lindsay Clancy case highlights women's mental health; specifically postpartum depression. Only a month after her youngest son, Callan, was born, Lindsay began experiencing suicidal thoughts and feeling hopeless. About four months later, Lindsay was admitted to an inpatient program with an initial diagnosis of a depressive disorder without psychotic features. Later that same month, Lindsay is said to have murdered her three kids and attempted suicide. As now proven in the trial, we believe that Lindsay’s mental health was severely neglected by her husband and medical professionals. On multiple occasions, Lindsay tried to reach out and get help she needed, but she reported having negative
effects from medication she was prescribed. For example, in the testimony given by some of her doctors, Lindsay was reported saying she felt ‘disconnected’ and ‘spacey’ while taking Prozac and that the drug Remeron was causing intrusive thoughts she had not had before. This raises important questions about whether her treatment was actually addressing her mental health struggles. Unfortunately, there are many women who share similar experiences without getting taken seriously. Lindsay’s case is the perfect demonstration of how postpartum health care is so easily overlooked in society. The fact that the trial was livestreamed heavily impacted the nature of the case and caused major issues. The livestream meant that not only journalists could view the case, but so could the general public. It also meant that a sensitive testimony was spread across social media platforms, like TikTok and Reddit, where moments are so often taken out of context. This caused the jurors additional pressure, making it much harder to base their
decision only on evidence and not outside information. In fact, during the trial, the judge had to give the courtroom a warning not to look online to limit bias. To conclude, we disagree with the decision to livestream the case because it created major issues regarding misinformation and privacy that, in the long run, impacted the way the trial unfolded. After seven days of deliberation, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict, and the judge declared a mistrial on September 4th, 2026. The verdict was 11-1, with 11 supporting Clancy not being held criminally responsible and one siding with the prosecution. Overall, this case shows why greater awareness of postpartum mental health and more careful use of social media during criminal trials is necessary. We believe that this case should be researched and serve as a way to educate people about women’s health care, how it isn’t prioritized as much as it should be, and how social media can seriously impact criminal trials today. •
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
The Beacon Jackson-Reed High School 3950 Chesapeake St. NW, Washington DC, 20016
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OPINIONS
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A system that blames the abused rather than the abusers By The Beacon staff A female student at Cornell University was than a month, and only through public pressure has drugged and violently gang-raped by seven male it been reopened. This woman was brutalized, was students belonging to the Chi Phi fraternity on forcibly kissed, and orally and penetratively raped October 19, 2024. The failures of this situation fall for seven hours, and the people meant to protect her on Cornell, the county police, and a system that did absolutely nothing. continuously excuses rape and violence towards This case is not unlike others. As a society, we women. have grown accustomed to a system that consistently Cornell expelled only two of the students and excuses and defends all forms of sexual assault. In allowed the other five abusers to continue school only 23 states is consent invalid when substances freely following minimal consequences, one of are consumed voluntarily, making it easy for abusers which was essays. Written word is not a comparable to claim consent was given even when it was not. punishment for men who changed the course Rape has been excused by society in every of one woman’s life. While they used ketamine, sphere of power. The president, Supreme Court cannabis, and alcohol to keep her impaired and justices, and many active congressmen have been later unconscious, they were allowed to continue accused and convicted, yet remain in power. Think their education after simply writing words on a of all the cases that go ignored, unresolved, or piece of paper. dismissed each day. The victim filed a report to the campus police One in every five women has been raped, and in 2024, but the charges were not pressed as the half have been sexually assaulted. The case of the District Attorney (DA) stated that because her “Cornell 7” is not a new occurrence; it's another initial intoxication was voluntary, she was capable on a long list that society fails to address. Cornell of consent. They failed to obtain more evidence, University, the county, and this country did not such as the 57-person Chi Phi group chat where simply fail one woman. They have failed women one of the frat members claimed he had “free p***y.” everywhere and helped to support the narrative that Although she was blacked out, the DA argued that rape is not a cause for real justice, that the victim this was insignificant due to her initial statement is the one who faces the consequences, and that of voluntary usage. They threw out the case in less women must, “just deal with it.”•
TOP 10 niche Jr halloween costumes
1. Atrium rats
6. ROAR values (group costume)
Ms. Gayle's 2. portables ants
7. Spirit Stick
ISABELLA MARA ORNSTEIN and ESTEFANIA MORA Spanish Editors
3. Powderpuff cheerleader
8. JR tiger eating SWW penguin
ORLY JOSSEN and IDAN KUMIN Sports Editors
Yondr 4. Broken pouch
9. Coach Mark's megaphone
ALEXA LUCAS and NATI PINILLA Style Editors
5. Ghost of Sah Brown
10. Radioactive crew kid
AFFOMIA DEBEBE and ALEX OH Features Editors
Written Content Contributors: Maddie Goldberg, Will Jones, Ailsa Lama, Liela Lipton
GRACE HARSHEID and LIA ZELDES Spread Editors Written Content Contributors: Shar Bradley-Garcia, Eli Trayner
Written Content Contributors: Rachel Gamez, Genesis Angarita, Greisy Alvarez
Assistant Sports Editor: James Fowlkes Written Content Contributors: Conner FitzSimons, Billie Himmelman, Mark Kaprowski, Ailsa Lama, Elenor Mahan, Jacob Sloane
LUKE SUARDI Games Editor
100 word rants
Assistant Games Editor: Milo Anderson Games Content Contributors: James Bishop, Eliza BowersShreve, Jane Davis, Ruth Mongelli, Logan Shafter, Eliza Weiss
Summer heat
dc concerts
school temp
SECTION COPY EDITORS
Eliza Bowers-Shreve
Lily Carpenter
Annie Griffin
Francisco Blancato and Alex Garcia
How is it possible that we’re already in October and I’m still suffering through the summer heat? When school started, all I was hoping for was fall weather, but it seems my manifesting has failed. I shouldn’t be forced to drink something cold when I’m yearning for a hot chocolate, and I can’t bring myself to wear a tank top when there are ten plus sweaters sitting in my closet. Fall might’ve technically started on September 22nd, but in my heart, it doesn’t start until I’m in my Uggs, the leaves have fallen, and there’s a chill in the air. •
If you haven’t heard, Oasis just announced their “World Tour,” consisting of a grand total of TWO US cities: Las Vegas and Boston! Why Boston? Did the tea party attract the English band? This got me thinking about how challenging it is to find concerts near DC. And yes, I know FedEx Field has hosted big names like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, and Ed Sheeran (despite how controversial he is now), but those were all over three years ago, and let's be honest, FedEx Field isn't the most idyllic venue. So many artists opt for Maryland or Virginia; what happened to DC's status as the nation’s capital? •
Why is every classroom in Jackson-Reed either scorching hot or freezing cold? There is genuinely no in-between. I start off the day sweating in shorts and a T-shirt, and as soon as I step into the hallway I'm shivering. I’ve started to plan my outfits around the temperature of my classes, but even then sometimes the same classroom is super cold one day and literally 80 degrees the next. I’m constantly bringing a hoodie to school just for one classroom, and then I end up carrying it around for the rest of the day. Can we please just try to keep the school at a normal temperature? •
WRITTEN CONTENT EDITOR Cecelia Grant
JUNIOR EDITORS
Arabella Bernstein, Eliza Bowers-Shreve, Emma Canedo, Vicky Encarnacion, Uli Ferrero, Leah Fletcher, Nora Freed, Jojo Gavin, Rose Geshekter, Emma Godavitarne, Elvana Gjoka, Annie Griffin, Miles Heyman, Miles Kenefick, Adrian Pinto, Alex Rodgers, Shayna Sann, Stacia Sharma Manning, Thatcher Norton, Sophie Rothschild, Annie Stillerman, Vivian Whitelaw, Sam Yarkin
WEBSITE STAFF LOLA PEARLMAN-CHANG Web Editor
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THE BEACON • FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
New Year, New JR! INTERIM
Between graduating and joining DCPS, Robinson worked as a research scientist in Georgetown from page 1 University’s neuropharmacology lab studying the impacts of drug abuse Among the items Robinson on the immune system. “We had a aspires to put on her wall is a wonderful boss. She was one of the “moodboard” she created two years very few women in her field,” she ago as an arts-and-crafts project said, mentioning that they’re still in with JR counselors. “Principal Brown touch to this day. got a little stressed because we got Robinson began working at glue and art supplies all over the Ferebee-Hope Community School conference room,” she said. in 2009 as an instructional coach, The moodboard includes supporting positive incentives for educational quotes, references to students, including pizza parties her mother and grandmother, and for good behavior. She then joined delicious food. “That might be one Coolidge High School as an assistant of my hobbies, too,” she said, “Eating principal from 2014-16, and worked good food—cheese, especially.” at several schools—Kramer, StuartIn her free time, Robinson Hobson, and Ballou—during her loves gardening, doing the New training to become a principal before York Times word puzzles, and coming to Jackson-Reed in 2018. eating vegetables from her garden. Robinson has had a plethora of “Tomatoes are easy, but my favorite roles since starting at JR, including thing to grow is squash,” she said. leading the Social Studies, Science, “The leaves are great and huge and and Career and Technical Education big, and they’re pretty. It’s very easy (CTE) departments. Social studies to grow here.” teacher Robert Geremia said the Robinson said she loved the change in leadership from Brown idea of becoming a teacher when to Robinson was “pretty seamless.” she was young, but her career He said that he “personally feels aspirations weren’t limited to supported” by Robinson and has a dreams of teaching. “strong working relationship” with “I wanted to teach when I was her. a kid, but I didn’t go to college for In the interview with The education because I thought that I Beacon, Robinson opened up wanted to do something else,” she about battling breast cancer while said. It was only five or six years after continuing to carry out her duties receiving her bachelor’s degree that as assistant principal. she once again got the “I-want-toShe said she received an initial teach bug” again, as she put it. diagnosis in September 2024 and
AI
had a lumpectomy on November 5, which happens to be her birthday. Later, she also had some lymph nodes removed. Offered a difficult decision between radiation and chemotherapy, she said she chose both and resumed work as if everything was normal, other than a couple of missed days every few weeks to have chemo. Her latest MRI took place in August, and she said she remains cancer-free. One of Robinson’s favorite things about Jackson-Reed is the vast amount of activities available to students, “whether that’s in a sport, an academy, or even coursework—we offer a lot of courses here that many schools don’t and can’t because of the number of people to teach them.” She said one accomplishment since starting as the assistant principal is starting the postsecondary advisory team, which is tasked with one-on-one meetings with seniors to “ensure that every senior has a solid post-secondary plan.” As for her goals in the upcoming year, Robinson said, “I want to continue to increase our students’ sense of safety and belonging, increase students of color in all Academies and Advanced Placement courses, and continue to support SGA in creating a fun and inclusive school community.” “The focus is still on kids getting smarter and having a great high school experience,” she said. •
DC’s model urban high sch Demographic changes at Jordana Sloane Padget Bowers-Shreve Managing Editor Editor-in-Chief
Jackson-Reed has long been heralded as a hub of diversity, academics, and athletics. From the school’s opening in 1935 to its name change in 2022, our diversity and success—whether it be socially or academically—lays the groundwork for the school’s culture and everything we take pride in. Woodrow Wilson High School opened its doors in 1935 as a whiteonly school. The school officially desegregated in 1955 with two Black students enrolling in the 10th grade, and two Black teachers joining the faculty. One of those teachers was Edna Jackson, one of JR’s two namesakes. Over the next 20 years, diversity soared within the school. In the 1950s, the Black and Hispanic populations within the city grew, and DCPS saw Black enrollment increase exponentially. The 1970s brought the highest Black population that the school had seen. JR held the highest Hispanic population of any DCPS school, and by 1979, none of DCPS’ 47 junior and senior high schools held a white majority. A 1979
Washington Post article noted that the white population of JR made up just 21% of the student body. Yearbooks from the 1970s depict clubs such as the Black Student Union, Asian Student Union, to name a few; along with a majority of non-white students nominated for senior superlatives, homecoming king and queen, and more. These yearbooks hone in on a population of non-white students that represents JR’s diverse racial and ethnic population, one that is all-too-often overlooked today. This trend of diversity would continue through the 1980s, with another Post article from the decade listing the student body as 64% Black. During this time, over a third of all Hispanic students in DCPS were enrolled at JR. A DCPS school profile from the 2009-10 school year lists the Black population at 51%, a noticeable change from its peak in the 1970s. The next 10 years were defined by a consistent decline in JR’s Black majority, with a 35% Black and 30% white population in the 2015-16 school year, according to School Profile data. In addition, the Hispanic population held only 17% of the school’s population. A culmination of factors has led the 2026-27 school year to be the
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student work, so I went back to paper.” Math teacher Chris Rickard has instituted a “total tech-free classroom.” He said that has been “extremely effective at helping students focus and engage with the content. It also has led to students interacting with each other more and building a sense of classroom identity and culture.” Despite students noticing more paperwork, most teachers have not switched to a fully screenless classroom. A total of 18 percent of teacher respondents said they use mostly digital resources in their classrooms, while 32 percent use an equal mix of paper and digital assignments. Social studies teacher Adam Evans said he splits paper and digital assignments because of the “scarcity of paper” and “availability of technology.” Sharing a similar sentiment, science teacher Rob Flack said a mix “makes the most of tools available.” Te a c h e r s w h o rely on computers are using different methods to combat
AI usage among students, rather than switching to paper. Flack said he believes it’s important to have conversations with students about “when and how to use [AI]” because students are already using it. Social studies teacher Patrick Cassidy added that, despite relying on digital assignments, he only allows students to use “materials provided in class when answering questions or writing essays” and sometimes he “[requires] students to write on paper.” Other teachers rely on Lightspeed, which monitors students’ school computer activity. In the fight between paper and digital classwork, there is an evident divide between humanities and STEM classes. Junior Katherine Mew hasn’t noticed a shift to more paper, but “compared to last year, the same subjects require work done on paper vs digital.” According to The Beacon survey results, two-thirds of math teachers are paper-based, and the other third is a mix of digital and paper. Contrarily, English teachers are more split, with 40 percent computer-based and 40 percent fully on paper. STEM classes, including physics, chemistry, and math, seem to have been consistently on paper. “Math is far more hands-on
with paper, and there are far fewer distractions without laptops,” math teacher Alex Jacoby said. Biology and marine science teacher Phillip Bechara said he mixes paper and online, but “graphing and labs lend themselves to being on paper.” History and English classes that are now paper-based seem to have made a shift recently, though. English teacher Joella Braun made the switch from computers to paper in her classroom recently in response to AI, saying the paperwork “is better for children and their long-term growth.” Clark, the senior, said she likes doing work on paper because “it makes it easier to remember content.” Of course, the downside of using paper is, well, the paper. Braun acknowledged that using paper is “an organizational challenge,” especially for newer teachers who didn’t teach before the era of readily available computers. There are moments Braun misses using Canvas to instantly grade multiple choice tests, but she thinks that grading by hand makes her a better teacher. Students also struggle with organizing papers. Freshman Bryant Shum voiced concern about losing paper assignments, a worry that doesn’t apply to digital assignments, which are much harder to lose.
Even though teachers have mixed approaches to technology and AI in the classroom, most teachers and many students are concerned about AI use. “I have serious ethical concerns about AI usage including the implications on the climate,” Shaw said. Indeed, teachers’ efforts to combat AI extend beyond concerns about academic integrity and have just as much to do with concerns about AI’s environmental impact. Teachers understand why students are tempted by AI, especially if they think a teacher isn’t grading their work but, as Braun said, AI is “making me afraid for the future.” Senior Fiona Metelski said she worries that “AI causes people to lose skills that they had in the first place,” and that student AI usage is not only hurting the environment but students’ ability to think too. “Currently the risks far outweigh the rewards,” Jacoby, the math teacher, said. “One day when we have better control over how the AI is used, it will be a powerful tool.” •
whites 50 yea of 37% popula decrea A huge s 10 yea break that o demog 2015-1 18% H comp for th majori split b studen T fluctu larger Over t experie DC’s d the cit Even a the sch longst divers exhibit throug and t make cultura
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FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
GRAPHICS BY CLARE BATES
chool? t JR
Give me back my Mac! Computer crackdown ramps up at JR
st the school has been in over ars, with a white population %. Comparatively, the Black ation is now 25%, a striking ase from only 50 years ago. Although JR has experienced shifts in diversity over the past ars, the school’s demographic down no longer matches of DCPS. DCPS’s overall graphic breakdown for the 16 school year was 64% Black, Hispanic, and 13% white. In parison, DCPS’ breakdown he current school year is ity Black, with a nearly even between Hispanic and White nts. These demographic uations are an impact of a r change within the city. the past 25 years, DC has ienced extreme gentrification. demographics are shifting, and ty is becoming more white. as demographics shift within hool, JR continues to hold its tanding place as the most se school in the district, iting this proud position gh its clubs, courses, the students who the school the al hub that it is. •
Caroline Wilding Opinions Editor
Regardless of your opinion on Jackson-Reed’s computers and device policy, there is no denying that the crackdown on personal computers has been intense this year. For a number of years, JR has asked students to leave their personal devices at home and use the school-provided ones. Despite this, every year there’s guaranteed to be a few MacBooks open in every class. If you’ve been here for more than a year, you know that there are certain classes you can get away with using your personal computer in, but this year it seems like no matter the teacher or the class, there is just no way to use your own device.
This raises the question of why the administration is so adamant that personal laptops must not be used by students this year. The answer is simple: viruses. It’s hard to forget the few days in mid-September when every school computer blocked downloads and every printer on the network shut down. Teachers were upset because their handouts couldn’t be completed, students were extraordinarily inconvenienced, and all around, it made the school day that much slower. The supposed answer was that while a MacBook was connecting to the internet, it also uploaded a virus that spread to the entire network. After this event, it became more apparent why teachers have been advised to crack down on personal computers. While just one or two every once in a while seem like
they can’t do much damage, you just never know which ones have a virus waiting to strike and cause much bigger problems for the school. That being said, the multitude of personal laptops being confiscated by the pool entrance is a bit crazy. Towards the beginning of the year, it was hard to get through the metal detectors without someone in front of you being told to open their bag and take their computer out. It was definitely intended to make classes go smoother for teachers, but it also made the mornings significantly slower for students. Some students even walked from the pool entrance to the main entrance, just to get their personal computer through security. Obviously, not being able to use personal computers has frustrated some students, especially with the unifying opinion that the new
devices don’t work well enough or at an efficient enough speed to be useful. However, it makes sense that just using your provided device and wasting a few extra minutes for a document to download is better than waiting three days for downloads to be unblocked because someone decided to break the rules and use a personal computer. Between Yondr pouches, phone lockers, and this computer crackdown, JR has definitely seen its fair share of device prohibition in the past few years, but the motive behind it all does (unfortunately) make sense. Using school-provided devices allows administration to monitor each device and scan for potential network threats before they become an issue that must be hastily dealt with, so maybe cut them a little slack and leave your personal device at home. •
challenge? But enough about the shows. Should you actually see them? Well, the results are in, and it is unanimous. Here are the highlights. Freshman Leela Mahajan said they would see the shows “because my friends worked on it, so I want to be there to support them.” However, they also voiced concerns about price, adding, “It costs money, so it’s kind of annoying.” “Yes, the theatre shows are amazing,” said sophomore Ella Moskad-Shawtiz. “People should go see them because it’s put on by an awesome community and it’s fun to watch” “It’s cool to look at,” said an anonymous junior. “I have some friends that do it, so I want to go to the shows to support them.”
“Most of the time, I can’t go to the shows because they align with my regatta schedule,” says Anya Furry, a member of the varsity girls’ crew team, “But I’m always sad I miss out on seeing all the wonderful talent we have at JR!” So there you have it. The shows have been received amazingly well by the public, most wanting to come to support their friends. The theatre here at JR is heavily built on the community. Without the people, there would be no audience and no one to see the dedicated hard work that the JR theatre department has been working tirelessly to put on!.Since so many are already coming out to support JR theatre, you should as well. Be sure to see R&J in November, and Once Upon a Mattress in the Spring! •
To see, or not to see; that is the question Eli Trayner Shar Bradley-Garcia Contributors
Theatre is one of the many extracurriculars offered at Jackson-Reed, and one of the most anticipated. JR theatre is known to put on stellar productions, such as their most recent musical, Mamma Mia!, and play, Clue. We interviewed JR students to get their opinions on this year’s theatre 2026-2027 lineup. Here’s what we learned. As usual, this year, JR is putting on two shows, both following the theme of “classics of tragedy and comedy… with a twist.” The fall play, R&J, is a modern rendition of the timeless tragedy, Shakespeare’s Romeo &
Juliet. This retelling, written by Joe Calarco, blends reality and fantasy as 16 young prep school students, tired of going through the usual drill of conjugating Latin and other tedious school routines, secretly gather at night in the basement under their church to perform various Shakespeare plays. It includes one night when they perform, as the title entails, the classic Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the play, the students explore themes of gender expression and conformity in Catholicism, ending in a tragedy of currently unknown circumstances. By contrast, the spring musical is a comedy: Once Upon A Mattress. It’s an upbeat Broadway show based on the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. In a faraway kingdom, Queen Aggravain, who
has taken over control of the kingdom from her now mute husband King Sextimus the Silent, runs all the land and its citizens and has many duties: duties that include choosing who will be the princess to marry her pride and joy, her son Prince Dauntless. In an effort to keep the prince single, she has decreed that only a princess who can pass one of her difficult tests may marry her son. So when the knights and ladies of the kingdom find an amazing princess named Princess Winnifred the Woebegone of the Marshlands, who instantly catches the attention of Prince Dauntless, Queen Aggravain is not pleased. Therefore, she makes her test (almost) impossible. Can Princess Winnifred feel a tiny pea under various mattresses? Could she possibly pass this insurmountable
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FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
Haunted TV hits to get you in the autumn mood Eva Solomon Esme Nooruddin Editor-in-Chief Director of New Staff
In honor of the short-lived fall season of DC, we’ve taken the liberty of helping you make the season last longer with some good old television. While there are infinite shows and movies we could mention, we are going to focus on our top seven fall TV shows. Gilmore Girls - This show is the epitome of fall shows. Pick any episode, and you'll see Lorelai enjoying a hot coffee or Rory figuring out her overly complicated love life, all with the cozy backdrop of crisp Connecticut fall. The best part? With seven seasons of this show, you can stay in the idyllic Autumnal town of Stars Hollow forever. Gossip Girl (Season 3, Episode 11: “The Treasure of
Haunted House, Winston is figuring out his new relationship, and Nick tries to rekindle a romance with a
college crush. Greek (Season 1, Episode 6: "Friday Night Frights") - While this show is usually just full of drama and fun, this episode features scares at both the Zeta Beta Zeta house and Kappa Tau house. There are ghost stories told, séances, and jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat! Parks and Recreation (Season 2, Episode 7: “Greg Pikitis”) - Nothing beats a Halloween stakeout. Leslie and Dave team up to catch Greg Pikitis, a local high-school troublemaker, from striking the Parks Department again with another Halloween Prank. Additionally, if you are feeling any Halloween Party FOMO, Ann’s party will remind you that you really aren’t missing out on anything.
Jessie (Season 2, Episode 1: "The Whining"): Unlike most of our recommendations, this episode is actually scary — or at least it was to seven-year-old us. Everyone’s favorite doorman, Tony, spooks the Ross children with a ghost story about their apartment building. Chaos ensues as the kids trick-or-treat their way into believing their building is actually haunted. In case seven seasons of Gilmore Girls and these selected episodes aren’t enough to sustain you through to Christmas movie season, some iconic fall movies we recommend are It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Twilight, and When Harry Met Sally. Stay tuned for our next recommendations; whatever vibe you may be craving, we’ve got you covered! •
second later than she wanted. Hallway Etiquette: Five minutes to get from the fourth floor to the portables is plenty of time if people aren’t blockading the hallway. I don’t mind if you talk to your friends, just don’t do it in the middle of the hallway. If you’re a slow walker, walk on the side of the hallway. You might not care, but I’m a big fan of punctuality. AP Nap Time: Getting five hours of sleep because I have too many chem notes isn’t cutting it for me. What we really need is a class with no homework, where you get
to lie down and take a nap. If this isn’t possible, I am fully prepared to return to kindergarten for this benefit. Honors How To Go Through Security: I am tired of waiting behind people in line who wait to take their computer out until they get to the front. What’s even more annoying are people who wear the same belt or shoes every day and are still surprised when they go off in the metal detector every day. To everyone this applies to: do better. Advanced Yondr Pouch Opening: I can’t take another day of
hearing bang, bang, bang from the back of a classroom or, even worse, echoing through the bathroom. Please, learn how to open it in one go. If you can’t open it with one violent slam, don’t embarrass yourself by trying again. Although I wouldn’t dream of filling my only free period with these classes, I hope they can be implemented to help future of JR students. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming about a version of JacksonReed with fast security lines, clear hallways, and no Yondr pouches. •
Serena Madre”) - This episode features the iconic Thanksgiving dinner scene where the secrets are revealed, and family feuds boil over. As “Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo plays, you’ll be unable to look away as tension builds and characters dramatically leave the table. Modern Family (Season 2, Episode 6: “Halloween”) - There are seven Modern Family Halloween episodes, and undoubtedly, the first one reigns supreme. If you’re looking for a Halloween episode that has a comedic presence in every character’s storyline, you will be in for a treat. From Mitchell’s terrible costume mistake at work to Claire’s fascination with haunted houses, there’s always something to laugh about. New Girl (Season 2, Episode 6: "Halloween") - If you’re too
scared of Haunted Houses to experience one for yourself this fall season, why not live vicariously through a New Girl episode? In this fall episode, Jess is working as a Zombie at the local
need to learn how to cook, sew, and care for a child. For now, all I can do is watch movies depicting schools with this amazing opportunity. I will forever dream of taking care of a sack of flour and having the honor of calling it my child. Driver’s Education: Before people start driving around those Marylanders, we should really teach new DC drivers how to hold their own. As someone who can’t drive very well, driver’s ed would have been very beneficial. Maybe I could’ve avoided my mother almost crying when I slowed down a half-
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Forget math: here are actually beneficial classes for JR students Peyton Shum Managing Editor
Jackson-Reed has a number of problems. There is a lack of hand dryers, shortage of teachers, long lines to come back from off-campus lunch, and many more. One of our biggest problems is the severe shortage of electives. I can easily think of so many options, none of which have been implemented. Home Economics: Too many students have zero 1950s housewife skills, which is not the way we want to send them into the world. Students
An in-depth review of Dunkin' s fall drink menu Eliza Bowers-Shreve Junior Editor
Dunkin’ has released its annual lineup of fall-themed drinks to get us in the mood for all things sweaters, pumpkin patches, and chilly weather. This collection consists of 14 drinks in total. Three refreshers, six pumpkin drinks, four tiramisu drinks, and one chai latte. Digesting 14 caffeinated drinks might be considered pushing it, so I'll be narrowing it down to my top six, plus a few yummy treats along the way. 6. Starting with sixth place: the Nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte. Don’t assume simply because this is at the bottom of my ranks that it's not a delicious drink; this drink is a unique blend of hazelnut goodness paired with that warm hint of pumpkin that everyone is yearning for as the weather cools down. Of course, there is a reason it wasn't ranked higher: it’s too sweet. Though the 17 grams of protein make it a perfect macro-friendly option for the gym rats trying to get their daily intake while still being a yummy fall treat that doesn’t taste like an uncomfortably textured protein shake. 5. Up next is the Pumpkin Pie Coffee Chiller. This drink is dessert in a cup, which could be a positive or negative depending on who’s
being asked. This coffee chiller is essentially a frappe with a whisper of pumpkin and cinnamon. It’s tasty, but it does lack that fall feel, as the hit of flavor is minimal. Still, it’s great for anyone like me, who has a certain distaste for heavy doses of pumpkin but can still enjoy it seasonally. Unfortunately, it may be hard to order this when the weather gets even cooler, but for now it’s a great way to celebrate fall in all its glory. A great addition to this drink, or eaten by itself, is the pumpkin donut and the signature Dunkin’ pumpkin Munchkins. These, of course, are great for any fall treat craving, so don’t miss out! 4. A new a d d i t i o n to t h e Dunkin’ rotation this year: the Harvest Spiced Chai Latte. I know what you’re thinking: what does the harvest entail in a chai latte? I was seriously confused by that as well, but
I’d like to think it’s good old fall magic. Ironically, this drink isn’t super fall-themed. The flavors are cinnamon, coconut, and obviously chai. Coconut is the immediate outlier, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how well it blended with the other flavors. It can also be a nice break from all the
pumpkin drinks that circle when the leaves fall, and who doesn’t love chai? 3. Making its way to the middle of my ranking, and the start of my top three, is the Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte — with a subtle hint of pumpkin and cinnamon, it’s a great fall staple. The vanilla and marshmallow cold foam work together to mellow out the other flavors, giving it less of an “in your face” pumpkin spice taste a n d more of a “curl up with your blanket to watch Hocus Pocus” feel. And don’t worry, you can pair it with the classic pumpkin muffin if you’re longing for your pumpkin fix. 2. Second place goes to an unlikely runner-up: the Tiramisu Cloud Latte. Featuring a marshmallow cold foam contrasting the chocolatey
espresso flavor, this banger is another great non-pumpkin option for fall. There’s just something about this latte that has me savoring every sip. The hot chocolate powder gives it a comforting cocoa taste, while the espresso perfects the coffee flavor that makes it truly taste like tiramisu. 1. Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for: and I swear this isn’t an ad, but my number one spot was a no-brainer. The Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte. This masterpiece is everything you could ask for in a fall drink. The nostalgic pumpkin swirl blended with the caramel drizzle offers up the ultimate combo, giving that immediate hit of pumpkin I know everybody is craving. This drink will make you hallucinate leaves falling and apple picking in the best way. As mentioned in the latte’s title, it is the signature Dunkin’ fall drink, coming back every year as a staple for any pumpkin fan. I hope this list inspires anyone who needs some fall spirit in their lives, because I definitely was! Trust me, I have complete faith that you will be feeling the pumpkin and cinnamon in your bones after visiting Dunkin’ this fall. • GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
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Making the most of fall in DC Vivian Whitelaw Junior Editor
As the trees start turning colors, and the air gets crisper, as homework starts to pile up and scarfs are release d from the backs of closets, it becomes apparent that it is time to talk about fall. Although summer is highly anticipated by almost every student, many will tell you that they are fed up with the steamy weather and feel refreshed that autumn has arrived, and there are countless ways to welcome the season change. One way is to try the endless fall drink options; from the signature Starbucks and Dunkin’ pumpkin spiced lattes to a simple chai, the fall themed treats are endless. Similarly on the coffee note, studying at a cafe with friends or alone is also an amazing way to get into the cozy fall spirit, plus be productive. One goal that I personally have this fall is to try cute cafes in different neighborhoods I wouldn’t normally visit, in the hopes of making studying fun and
romanticizing my fall. Other ways to transition from summer to fall include making a new fall themed playlist! Perfect to play when studying or on a walk taking in the fallen leaves. Music is a great way to shift out of the summer mindset and get excited for fall. Last but not least, the ultimate strategy for a seamless transition into fall is dressing for the season. Even if some days are too hot for cute jackets and scarves, the dreaded Jackson-Reed air conditioning does allow for cozy sweaters and jeans. Another fall staple: knee high boots are an amazing fall piece because they can work in any weather, when paired with a mini skirt and tights if it's chilly, they are the quintessential autumn shoe. Although summer brought a break from school and time to reset, now that the school year has begun and fall will soon be in full swing, it's incredibly important to execute the transition right, and fully take advantage of the seasons. • GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
New Spider-Man movie: hit or miss Tessa Frantz News Editor
This summer was a big one for cinemas, with numerous soonto-be classics sweeping theaters worldwide, captivating audiences, and topping charts. From laughter to tears, movie-goers found something to love and hate in every movie. To name a few, The Odyssey, Obsession, Backrooms, Minions and Monsters, Toy Story 5, and more all recently hit the theaters. Perhaps one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, however, was Spider-Man: Brand New Day. A sequel to the renowned Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes after the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home. The movie follows Peter Parker, who we all know and love from the fifty other versions of Spider-Man, as he learns to cope with biological changes, deals with being isolated from everyone he used to love, and faces off against a powerful new enemy. In the previous Spider-Man film, Dr. Strange is forced to cast a spell that wipes everyone on Earth’s memory of ‘Peter Parker.’ Everyone completely forgets who he is, including his best friend, Ned, and the love of his life, MJ. Peter fully commits to his secret identity and devotes all his time to fighting crime as an escape from his real life, which is far too depressing. Because of the intensity of his emotions, he goes through a biological change that affects his
The perfect 'chick flicks' for fall Padget Bowers-Shreve Eliza Bowers-Shreve Editor-in-Chief Junior Editor
Chick flicks are a year-round indulgence that have become an essential part of any weekend. We were raised with a TV and a dream, with a mom whose ideal version of a Friday night was to turn on some classic cheesy romcoms. So in the spirit of curling up on your couch to watch a movie, what better time to recommend some of our favorite teen films than fall? Mean Girls The original chick flick; Mean Girls did it first, and it would be a shame not to include it in this list. It has just about everything you can think of: romance, deception, betrayal, friendship, and it will have you laughing so hard you can’t breathe. Tina Fey is a hysterical genius, so let’s all put down our homework for just one night and watch the iconic rollercoaster that this movie is. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is yet another film that can’t be described as anything but incredible. The one and only Sarah Jessica Parker plays main character Janey Glenn, a teenage girl who dreams of being on Chicago’s Dance TV. She enters a competition to become a regular on the show and is paired up with Jeff, a public school kid (oh no!). Along with a kooky best friend, a veteran father, and eccentric nuns, this movie is truly a fun, gripping story about Janey, her dreams, and her lifelong connections
with the people she loves. Can’t Buy Me Love This may not be the most popular rom-com, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. Can’t Buy Me Love stars a young Patrick Dempsey (for any Grey’s Anatomy watchers) where his character Ronald pays the most popular girl in school, Cindy, to go out with him. The fake-dating trope may sound overused, but Can’t Buy Me Love does it so well! Among many 80s classics, this is truly a hit nobody can miss. Uptown Girls Finally, a movie that’s not based around cheesy romance. Uptown Girls is a film about an unlikely friendship between a sassy, 8-year-old hypochondriac named Ray, and the spoiled daughter of a dead rock star who learns one day that she might actually have to get a job. Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning are phenomenal in this movie, as always, perfectly portraying the parallels between two rich, slightly unstable girls who are desperate to connect. Plus, the film is set in 2000s Manhattan, making it the perfect fall watch. The Princess Diaries Another hit chick flick that doesn’t feature too much romance: The Princess Diaries. Mia Thermopolis is a teenage girl that is sprung suddenly into the world of royalty by her grandmother. Set partly in New York and partly in the fictional country of Genovia, the film is all about how Mia finds herself while also figuring out the pros and cons of being a princess. Though cheesy, this film features a
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strong female perspective and shows viewers the crazy ups and downs that come with being a royal teenager. Notting Hill This film may showcase every season London has to offer, but it just feels like a fall movie. While Hugh Grant might have been typecast for the hundredth time in Notting Hill, his performance as William Thacker, a lovable bookstore owner, is just too good. When Anna Scott, an American actress, wanders into his shop one day, Thacker falls completely head-over-heels. It’s dramatic, sweet, and hilarious, with a touch of cynicism. When Harry Met Sally When Harry Met Sally is embarrassingly classic, but we couldn’t help ourselves. Another 80s banger, this movie tells the story of Harry, played by Billy Crystal, and Sally, played by Meg Ryan. Throughout the film, Harry and Sally experience 12 years worth of chance encounters, all while addressing the question, “Can a man and a woman ever just be friends?” It’s the same as many, a traditional rom-com, but the underlying tone of fate and secondchances as the two main characters share friendship and romance, lives permanently in our minds. Though fun and slightly goofy, these classic chick flicks aren’t just mushy rom-coms, they tell narratives that entertain and leave an impact on viewers. We hope this list inspires you to use your free will and watch more chick flicks, even if you’ve seen all of these (though I still think they're worth the rewatch). •
powers. All the while, he is learning to fight an enemy with powers unlike anything he has ever seen before. This villain can use mind control to get into people’s bodies and control what they do, wreaking havoc over New York City. She is nearly impossible to track down and threatens to hurt the people Peter once loved most. The movie is an incredible story that shows Peter’s emotional journey and focuses on character growth. It had both the action and conflict required of any good superhero movie, and a deeper message that gave the movie heart. The acting was truly great, and every character’s emotions could be felt on the other side of the screen. With Tom Holland portraying Peter Parker’s emotional story, Zendaya playing MJ, and Jacob Batalon returning as Ned, some fantastic performances came out of this movie. Not to mention the new additions to the cast, with Sadie Sink being introduced as Spider-Man’s newest rival, and Jon B ernthal making his first
appearance in a Spider-Man movie as Frank Castle. Jon Bernthal’s character Frank was one of the best parts of the movie. Frank, also known as The Punisher, is an antihero who fights organized crime. Throughout the film, Frank and Spider-Man form an unlikely friendship, and Frank helps Peter out when he needs it the most. Holland and Bernthal work very well together, as seen in this movie as well as their shared screen time in The Odyssey. Their banter was hilarious, and his presence makes the movie much more entertaining. While there were some problems with the movie, like the overstuffed plot and introduction of a couple unnecessary characters, it is definitely worth the trip to the cinema. The music, acting, action, and deep emotions made it a standout movie, and if you get the chance to watch it, you definitely should! •
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The fall of the downtown girl aesthetic Elvana Gjoka Junior Editor
For many people, the fall of the ‘Downtown Girl’ aesthetic was as tragic as the Fall of Troy. The once-epitome of the cozy autumn era, featuring green striped sweaters, Rory Gilmore, and The Smiths playing on repeat, packed its bags after 2022 when the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic took over as the next big TikTok era. A day in the life of a Downtown Girl starts with a playlist starring one or more of the following: Mazzy Star, The Smiths, or Lana Del Ray, as she sips her tea and reads her 1950s classics. If you followed the Downtown Girl lifestyle, you have probably read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger or Normal People by Sally Rooney, or at least heard about how good they were. A Downtown Girl romanticizes being intellectual and finds peace in loneliness, s o m e t h i n g t h a t ca n s e e m extremely difficult, but to her is effortless. Somehow, for a Downtown Girl, every day is in a rainy city, where she is disconnected from the world with her wired headphones. THE Downtown Girl did not follow social perfection but personal comfort. As with most well-liked
aesthetics, this one became too mainstream, which was unfortunately its doom. The once niche Downtown Girl was spotted in every corner of the school and Georgetown. Laced tops layered under cozy sweaters, low-rise jeans, and the most important staple, Uggs. Shoutout to Brandy Melville for providing all the essentials. The D owntown G irl's authentic thrifted style became so commercial that it lost its spark. Just like any trend that becomes mainstream, it is bound to be forgotten as a new trend enters. Once the Clean Girl entered our feed, everything changed; the world traded the authentic cozy life for strict minimalist perfectionism. Still, the magic of the Downtown Girl wasn't completely lost. For most, it is a way of living, and for others, its traces still appear in wired headphones and low-rise jeans. As autumn approaches— Downtown Girl’s season - try to bring out your green striped sweater from Bran dy an d consider reading a new classic, commemorating the oncemighty aesthetic. •
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FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
Boys' basketball team remains confident despite adversity Billie Himmelman Elenor Mahan Contributors
The Jackson-Reed Varsity Boys basketball team has been known for being a powerhouse team consisting of rising star players. This year, the question is: will this change? The team is undergoing a management change, with new head coach Tre Mouton coming in to take the place of last year’s interim head coach, Bill Bourgouin. According to Lane Mahan, the answer to the question is no. When asked about the loss of strong players like Averi Knight (transferred to The Patrick School in New Jersey) and James Walker (transferred to Bishop Ireton in Virginia), Mahan said that while “losing [Walker and Knight] did hurt, we’re still in a pretty good spot as a team”, highlighting the strength of the returning and incoming players. He stated that “Coach Tre has been great so far,” and is looking forward to the season under his coaching. Even though there’s a new coach, Mahan says that as long as they’re playing the “same brand of basketball” and “keeping that same culture up,” it’s always going to be a positive change.
Fonseca, a sophomore Similarly, senior Joaquin Frye Coach Tre also reflected the stated that “The team is still going to transfer from Latin, stated that importance of Levi Sedallia, Cruz play the same by jumping around the coaching staff this year is Freeman, and Taj Johnson, while on defense and playing fast.” He “absolutely fantastic,” and that also mentioning the importance believes Coach Tre of players who is taking them in are coming off the right direction, of JV this year, and his message for shouting out newcomers trying their hard work to fill big roles is that and strength “anyone can fill those on the court. shoes; it just matters His messag e the work you put in.” to supporters Coach Tre this year is to expressed that he’s look forward to “feeling good and a team that is excited to be part of “extremely tough the Jackson-Reed and plays hard, community and regardless of the the rich basketball score and the history.” He explained competition.” He that the expectations says that if they are to “win at a high “always try to level and continue be the toughest to build the culture team out there,” that's already been they’ll always established”. Mouton’s have a chance. dad, Ed, graduated Returning from Jackson-Reed sophomore PHOTO COURTESY OF JR BASKETBALL Josiah McClusky and was part of NEW YEAR, NEW TEAM JR Basketball huddles up at a prethe 1984 team that resonates with season game, still confident in their season despite recent won the schools a similar idea. ver y first DCIAA changes to their team “ The team is championship, which connects the support they have from the going to be great even with the Coach Tre with the JR culture on a coaches is “something not many loss of big players,” he says. He deeper level. He also named some people get.” He reflected his strongly supports Coach Tre, new players he expected to fill big excitement to be a part of the team, noting that the “new coach is a roles, like Will Bryant, Rico Purnell, and that he’s ready to play the best better fit because he can open up basketball possible. and Lincoln Fonseca. huge opportunities”.
Class of 2027 athletes: Where are they going next? Ailsa Lama Contributor
This year's Senior Class athletes are already on a roll! So far, there have been five commits from the class of 2027 who are pursuing their future in college with academics and sports. Lucy Carroll is JacksonReed’s varsity girls soccer goalie and captain, and has played soccer since she was six years old. She recently announced her commitment to play DIII soccer at Haverford College, where she plans to major in Anthropology and Health Sciences. Carroll emphasizes that she chose Haverford to pursue her academic and athletic career because of their authentic and competitive atmosphere, allowing students to have a sense of ownership in their education, which suited her learning style. Second up is Alex Nehrer, who played for the JR varsity girls softball team from her freshman year to her sophomore year. Now, she plays for the JR varsity baseball team and has committed to pursue her academic and athletic career to play DIII softball at New York University. Nehrer plans to major in political science with a minor in law and government on the pre-law track. She has played baseball since she was five years old until she switched to softball her freshman year. Her big switch from baseball
to softball impacted her decision to continue playing softball in her college career because of the sisterhood on the softball team. She answered “I have met some of my best friends through softball and the relationships I’ve made with the girls is something I will always value and take into my college career with.” Staying on the topic of metric sports, Lee Eckstein—who has been captain of the varsity baseball team since his junior year—has committed to playing baseball at the DIII level at Kenyon College. He intends to major in history and political science, with the possibility of heading into the prelaw track. Eckstein highlighted in his interview how his recruitment process took time, patience, and endless emails to college coaches with the subject line, “Catcher (1:80 pop time)” that allowed him to gain recognition from college coaches and eventually land a spot at Kenyon College. From his recruitment process, Eckstein's biggest tip for student athletes that want to pursue sports in college is to stay persistent and consistent with communication with college coaches, and have a catchy subject line that makes coaches want to hear more from you. The class of 2027 commits don't just stop there; Steven Most is committed to playing DIII lacrosse at The United States Merchant Marine Academy with the intended major of marine transportation.
As a transfer from Dematha High School his sophomore year, Most has fit right into the JR community with support from the staff, his coaches, and teammates. For his recruitment process, Most states, “I went to some prospect camps, one of them was an invite camp at West Point where I played really well and got interest from the former head coach at Merchant Marine, who currently is in a recruiting role at the school.” Last but not least, varsity basketball player Lane Mahan has committed to continue his academic and athletic career to play DI at Dartmouth College. Mahan's major is undecided, but he is leaning towards economics. Heading into a prestigious Ivy League school is not easy; he has balanced his academic and athletic life by staying on top of school, practices, and games. One lesson Mahan has learned from JR basketball that he plans to carry into his college career is, “I learned how to respond to adversity, and even if things aren't going my way, I have to stay The Class of 2027 student-athletes are fully ready to take on a new chapter in their lives by continuing their academic and athletic careers at some of the top schools in their division for their sports. The JR Tigers can’t wait to see where their futures lie in the next 4 years. •
Isaiah Whitfield, a returning senior, has a similar point of view, stating that, “although James Walker and Averi Knight were a key part of our team's success last year, I think the team is going to look good.” He did mention that he was “a little shocked” when he found out about the change in management, but believes that “changes will be positive because new coaches and players bring a different atmosphere to the program, and a different type of motivation.” However, he realizes that it “might take time for the coaches and players to get adjusted to the new coaching system.” There were two common goals reflected among players and coaches alike: to win the DCIAA championship and the DCSAA championship this season. Falling just short of Sidwell Friends in the DCSAA semifinals on a buzzerbeater shot and losing in the DCIAA finals to Roosevelt last year, the team certainly has a lot to prove. However, the belief among the players is strong—they’ll play the same basketball, and by keeping up their Tiger culture, they’ll have everything needed to achieve their goals. •
Olympic bobsledder enters DC Sports Hall of Fame James Fowlkes Assistant Sports Editor
On August 30, 2026, Elana Meyers Taylor, a 41-year-old Olympic bobsledder, was inducted into the DC Sports Hall of Fame. Elana isn’t just any bobsledder; she is the most decorated female bobsledder in Olympic history, tied with speedskater Bonnie Blair, for the most decorated American woman in winter Olympic history. Elana Meyers Taylor grew up in Douglasville, Georgia before going to George Washington University where she would play softball. She began her bobsledding career in 2007 at the age of 23, winning her first medal—a silver—in 2009, and her first gold medal this year in Milan. Her accomplishments speak for themselves, but it is what she has done off the field that makes impressive athletes of our time . What makes Elana such a remarkable figure in the field of sports is the fact that her story wasn’t easy. Her identity as a Black woman has contributed to much of her activist work; she publicly spoke about the racism that she has faced throughout her career and the struggle of being a woman in an industry that prioritizes men. Yet through all of this, not only has she succeeded, but she has done so while fighting for equality in the industry. She served as president of the Women's Sports Foundation,
where her passion and advocacy helped women like her be able to do what they love without feeling inferior. In an article published by Team USA, she called attention to the racist treatment that she experienced during her career, which has raised awareness of the discrimination that exists in the world of bobsledding, and inspired action from the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. In November of 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor beat the odds once again and made history by becoming the first-ever woman to win a medal in a men's event as part of an international competition, and she did so with her husband, Nic Taylor, as her brakeman. She and her husband Nic, a fellow Olympic bobsledder, have two kids, one of whom has Down syndrome and both of whom are deaf. Elana Meyers isn’t just an incredible athlete, but an incredible person. She credits her faith for the many achievements she has, both athletic and in activism. "One of the big reasons I was put in bobsled is to help people not only reach their goals but come to Christ. God put me here for a specific reason, and I don't think it's just to win medals.” Displaying how her resilience to adversity and persistence to achieve her goals come from her belief in God. She is a welcome addition to our hall of fame, and we're glad to have her. •
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
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MLS rule creates difficult choices for soccer players Jacob Sloane Contributor
For many high school soccer players, playing for their school is more than just the game. But for players in MLS NEXT, a youth division of Men’s League Soccer, playing for their club now means giving up the chance to play alongside friends on their high school team. In response to a new rule
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that prevents MLS NEXT players from playing in high school soccer, Jackson-Reed freshman goalkeeper Patrick Quinn shared, "To be honest, it was pretty sad because one of my good friends who plays MLS NEXT isn’t able to play with us on the Jackson-Reed team.” The rule from MLS states, “Primary Players must agree to forgo participating simultaneously in both MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and high school or middle school soccer,” continuing that, “Primary Players who participate in high/middle school soccer are ineligible to participate in MLS NEXT Homegrown Division Events.” In other words, athletes cannot play in both MLS Next and their school soccer teams. For players who choose MLS NEXT, the choice comes down to the opportunities it provides that most high school soccer teams do not. MLS NEXT
Fantasy football: punishments or humiliation tactics? Conner FitzSimons Mark Kaprowski Contributors
During the fantasy football season, leagues tend to be full of trash talk, terrible trades, injuries, and lineup changes. At the end of each season, the winner celebrates and the unhappy loser is usually forced to do a humiliating punishment. In some leagues, punishments aren't given or never end up happening. But in many leagues, punishments are a feared reality. The season always starts with players hopeful for their team, thinking they will win the league; but then their star players inevitably get injured, or the wrong guy gets left on the bench and they pop off for the one game you don’t start them. Fantasy has its ups and downs, and losing is a big down. By mid-season, you can tell who’s going to get the punishment; the team tries to save themselves, but last place stays unavoidable. The punishment is typically chosen before the season begins and is (usually) harmless. Some extremely embarrassing examples are the “dog cage," where everyone in the league gets to choose
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senior Adrian (AJ) Lynch. As stated by Head Coach Jason Strickland, the football program teaches players on the team from the “ground up.” A lack of a strong pipeline is reflected in the JV football team’s performance. Another issue faced by the team is the lack of player retention. Over the past couple of years, JR has lost players to various teams, including O’Connell High School and Bell Multicultural High School. There’s also the issue of recruitment at JR. Private schools
something to pour on you, ranging from ketchup to toothpaste. Other examples are the milk mile, a punishment chosen by the winner, and many more. The trick is to have fun—but don’t injure anyone. Afterwards, the loser says they will lock in and win the league next year, which makes sense after getting the punishment. We will now hear from someone who lost their league and was put in the dog cage, which does not sound fun. Our source asked to stay anonymous due to personal embarrassment. I asked several questions, like how it made them feel about fantasy. Our source answered, “It was not good. It was embarrassing. I’m happy they didn’t send a video to anybody, because it was not my proudest day.” When asked, "What did it make you think about the upcoming season?” Our source answered, “It made me lock in, pay more attention, and do trades.” Fantasy punishments do their job, which is to embarrass the loser, have fun, and create motivation for the next season. Fantasy football is always fun, and we are excited for the season, no matter the punishment. •
are able to recruit players from all across the DMV, while DCPS schools must adhere to specific guidelines. JR doesn’t allow out-of-boundary students, so even if coaches are able to convince players to join the team, they must reside within JR’s boundary. This “puts the [football team] at a natural disadvantage,” according to Senior Theo Segal. It negatively impacts JR’s success on the field; although the team isn’t allowed to recruit because of DCPS regulations, some schools that the team competes against don’t have the same restrictions. The team currently has 55 players registered, 40 for Varsity and 26 for JV. Most players for JV “suit up” for Varsity games, according to Segal.
players compete in showcases and tournaments that allow them to be seen by college recruiters and professional coaches, giving them a higher chance to play professionally than high school teams. When MLS NEXT player Marek Sand was asked why he chose the program over high school soccer, he said, “I get a lot more showcases for college and even for the pros. It really helps give you more opportunities to get scholarships and trials at high levels.” While MLS NEXT can provide opportunities for players looking to play at the highest levels, high school soccer offers a strong community. High school teams let athletes play and spend time with their classmates while also representing their school. When asked what he thinks high school soccer provides, Quinn said, “I think it’s a better community.” He explained that while club soccer also creates a community, high school soccer gives players the chance to
connect with people they see every day. The high school community is one thing MLS NEXT players can miss out on when they choose club soccer over playing for their school. High school soccer offers players the chance to spend time with classmates who they might not otherwise know well, and compete alongside friends. While both sides offer benefits, the question becomes whether players should have to choose between MLS NEXT and high school soccer. Many people think there should be a limit on how much a player can participate, rather than a rule that prevents them from playing altogether. Quinn said, “I would change the rule to limit the number of games you can play.” Sand, however, would rather continue playing for his club. When asked if he would choose high school soccer or MLS NEXT, he
said, “I would rather play for my club than for high school.” For players like Sand, the opportunities and level of competition that come with MLS NEXT makes giving up high school soccer worth it. For others, being able to play with their friends and represent their school is just as important. For young soccer players, the decision between MLS NEXT and high school soccer is about more than where they want to play. MLS NEXT can create a chance to play college and professional soccer, while high school soccer gives players a chance to build relationships, represent their school, and be part of their community. Both paths have benefits, but the current rules force players to choose. Should players have to choose between the opportunities of MLS NEXT and the experience of high school soccer, or should they have both? •
The beginning of the yearly college football frenzy Jojo Gavin Junior Editor
The moment all college football fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, as August 27th marked the kickoff of the 2026-27 college football season! Fresh off Indiana’s 2025-26 national championship, the upcoming season looks to pick up right where it left off—delivering last-minute game-winners, major upsets, and historic rivalries. It’s only Week 4, and we’ve already witnessed some of the biggest powers of college football come close to or suffer shocking losses to underdogs. In a supposedly "easy" warm-up game for the unranked Oklahoma State left No. 6 Oregon Duck fans stunned after a 39-31 defeat. Football powerhouse and No. 1 Ohio State suffered a 2423 loss to the University of Texas, knocking them out of their topranked spot. At the University of Michigan, the Big House erupted into triumphant and somewhat relieved cheers after a major win over No. 10 Oklahoma, which followed their nail-biting win against Western Michigan —a game which many fans, and rivals, including junior Milo Gavin, described as “extremely rigged and way too close.” Week 2 marked Boston College’s annual Red Bandanna The team also practices repeatedly in the off-season because the “season is just so taxing on your body,” according to Strickland. The team hosts bonding events, such as kickoff cookouts, and holds weekly meetings for parents. Coaches work behind the scenes to “make the [players] feel like the program is behind them.” Additionally, football faces attendance struggles, which could be due to a number of factors including the team’s low record, DCPS attendance regulations, and distance to away games. Attendance typically falls as the season wears on, and has further decreased over the past year with the implementation of new DCPS rules, requiring every three
Game, which honors 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, who saved 18 lives before the South Tower collapsed, before passing away. This year’s game, against Rutgers, marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and featured a pregame flyover by the United States Coast Guard, a drone show at halftime, and the handout of over 10,000 red bandanas for spectators to hold during the game. Week 3 closed with several nail biting ends and a significant reshuffling of the Top 10. The Kentucky
Wildcats stunned No. 9 Texans A&M Aggies with a win of 31-21, sending the Aggies down the rankings. Vanderbilt has continued its highly chaotic, yet energetic season by edging out NC State 34-31, sealing the victory with a dramatic fumble recovery touchdown, talk about nail biting victory. The week concluded with Head Coach Lane Kiffin of No. 8 Ole Miss emerging triumphantly against his former team No. 7 LSU in a thrilling 32-24 victory. students to be chaperoned by one adult at games. SGA is trying to shift this narrative within the school for football by promoting Senior Nights and pushing for higher attendance. Strickland also expressed his displeasure at student attitudes regarding the football team within JR, explaining that while it’s “become commonplace for [some] students to speak negatively” about the football team, he encourages and reminds his players that if the student body “were really your friends, they wouldn’t do that to you.” However, Lynch said that the negative attitude towards the football team “doesn’t have a big impact on the field,” and that the team “will ball regardless.”
Week 4 had big moments ranging from last minute saves to ruthless results. The Michigan Wolverines lost their luck to the Iowa Hawkeyes, as the Hawkeveys scored a game winning touchdown in the final seconds, ending the game 20-19. No. 1 Texas Longhorns dominate No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers, defending their No. 1 title with a score of 20-17. The No. 15 Oregon Ducks have been hanging onto their season by a single thread, but miraculously saved their season at the Coliseum against No.18 University of Southern California. Despite losing their star quarterback, the Ducks rallied to save their playoff hopes with a gutty away game, ending with a score of 41-27. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been watching your team make huge comebacks your entire life or if you've yet to watch your first game, the energy that fans in stadiums bring, along with fans watching at home, makes every single game an anticipated and unpredictable ride. As the season unfolds, and regardless of who comes out on top or who loses, we know that college football can promise one thing: it always has a way to bring the action, bring the fun, and leave diehard fans or new viewers never wanting to miss a single play. • GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES
Despite all of these factors, the football team remains positive and committed to improvement. “While our record is our record,” Strickland said, the football team “has great attitudes” Football has a long hill to climb back to success, and the first step towards this is a student body that supports the team's eventual success in spite of past struggles. There’s no denying the football team’s record, but they are working hard towards building a program that the student body and community will be proud to watch and support. “All in all, it won’t rain forever,” said Lynch, and Senior Jalahni Williams followed up that the team’s improvement is “only a matter of time.” •
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VIERNES, 9 DE OCTUBRE, 2026
Voces que celebran nuestra cultura Dos culturas, una identidad Isabella Mara Editora de Español
Otro 15 de septiembre, ¡otro mes de la Herencia Hispana que comienza! Un mes para celebrar nuestra comida, cultura, historia y, sobre todo, el orgullo de nuestras raíces. Y, como este mes se trata de reconocer la excelencia latina, es justo comenzar con una figura inigualable: Ellen Ochoa. Nacida en Los Angeles, California, Ochoa hizo historia en 1993 al convertirse en la primera mujer hispana en viajar al espacio. Con un doctorado en ingeniería eléctrica de la Universidad de Stanford, Ochoa llegó a la NASA en 1988 como investigadora y, dos años después, fue seleccionada como astronauta. Durante su primera misión, a bordo del transbordador espacial Discovery, participó en investigaciones sobre la actividad solar y sus efectos en la tierra. A lo largo de su carrera, completó cuatro misiones espaciales y pasó casi 1000 horas en órbita. Pero sus logros no terminaron ahí: en 2013, se convirtió en la primera persona hispana y en la segunda mujer en dirigir el Centro Espacial Johnson de la NASA. ¡Iconica! La trayectoria de Ochoa
es solo una de las muchas historias que merecen ser compartidas durante este mes. Pero la herencia hispana no se encuentra únicamente en los libros de historia… también vive en las experiencias y las voces de nuestra propia comunidad. Para Gabby Vargas, una estudiante de 12º grado de ascendencia panameña y colombiana, su cultura lo significa todo. Crecer rodeada de personas latinas la ayudó a “aceptar [su] belleza natural, su pelo y su personalidad”. Para ella, el mes de la Herencia Hispana es un recordatorio de la riqueza de la historia latinoamericana, una historia que nos moldea y “nos hace ser quienes somos”. Melanie Pérez Sandoval, estudiante de 11º grado de origen guatemalteco, relaciona su identidad latina con la perseverancia y la determinación. Para ella, ser latina significa “darlo todo incluso cuando piensan que no podemos”. Aun cuando algunas personas intentan hacer que los latinos se sientan excluidos y “que no [pertenecen]”, Melanie destaca que siempre podemos encontrar paz y amor
dentro de nuestra comunidad, vengas del país latino que vengas. Por su parte, Analia Sánchez Ramírez, otra estudiante de 11º grado, encuentra una parte especial de su identidad mexicana en el apoyo mutuo, la comida y las tradiciones culturales. Entre sus cosas favoritas está el grupo musical de los “Chinelos”, cuyos bailes “llenan de felicidad a quienes los ven”. Aunque cada una tiene una historia y unas raíces distintas, hay algo que une a todas las mujeres mencionadas previamente: el sentido de comunidad, especialmente el que trae este mes. Durante la celebración, personas de diferentes países y culturas se reúnen para reconocer sus historias, compartir sus tradiciones y celebrar aquello que tienen en común. Así que este mes hablales a tus amigos de Ellen Ochoa, descubre una costumbre nueva y celebra la diversidad que hace tan especial a nuestra comunidad. ¡Que se escuche el orgullo latino por todo Jackson Reed!•
Greisy Alvarez Contribuidora
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¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, muchos países de Latinoamérica celebran su independencia, cultura y nacionalidad mediante festivales, bailes y comidas tradicionales. Sin embargo, para quienes crecen entre diferentes culturas, la herencia también se manifiesta en los pequeños detalles de la vida cotidiana. Mi familia es de El Salvador, un pequeño país de Centroamérica. Desde que era pequeña, la cultura salvadoreña ha formado parte de mi vida diaria a través de la comida, la lengua y las costumbres familiares. Durante mi infancia, mantuve una conexión muy fuerte con mis raíces. Mi familia se aseguró de que siempre estuviera unida a ellas y, de hecho, eran prácticamente todo lo que conocía hasta que empecé la escuela a los cinco años. Al comenzar la escuela, noté que mi cultura era muy distinta de la de quienes me rodeaban. Las costumbres que seguíamos en casa no siempre coincidían con las de otros niños. Además, la escuela fue el lugar donde aprendí inglés y empecé a conocer la cultura estadounidense. Poco a poco, comprendí que algunas cosas que en mi familia se hacían de una manera podían hacerse de otra en otros hogares. Durante mis años escolares, conocí festividades estadounidenses de las que nunca había oído hablar, como el 4 de julio, el Día de San Patricio y la Pascua. Hasta entonces,
elegido como el Mejor Jugador Joven del torneo, después de tener un papel importante en la defensa española durante todo el Mundial. Cubarsi jugó todos los partidos del torneo, estableciendo además un nuevo récord de partidos mundialistas disputados antes de cumplir los 20 años. La final contra Argentina fue probablemente la prueba más complicada del torneo. Argentina llegaba como la campeona defensora y había ganado sus partidos anteriores con mucha confianza. España, por su parte, tuvo que enfrentarse a una selección que conocía perfectamente lo que significaba jugar una final mundialista. Durante los 90 minutos, ninguno de los dos equipos consiguió marcar. Uno de los momentos más polémicos de la final fue la expulsión de Enzo Fernandez. El argentino vio la cartulina roja durante el partido después de la terrible entrada a Cubarsi, que dejó a su selección con un jugador menos en un momento importante del encuentro. La expulsión hizo que Argentina tuviera todavía más dificultades
para salir de su campo y aumentó el control de España durante el tramo final. El partido continuó igualado en la prórroga hasta que Ferran Torres encontró el gol que decidió el campeonato. El triunfo también tiene un significado especial para España porque llega después de ganar en la Eurocopa de 2024. Con este mundial, la selección, ha conseguido dos grandes títulos internacionales en un periodo de tiempo relativamente corto. Además, Luis de la Fuente se convirtió en el entrenador de mayor edad en ganar un Mundial, con 65 años. La celebración empezó inmediatamente después del pitido final. Miles de aficionados españoles celebraron el título tanto en Estados Unidos como en España. Cuando la selección volvió a Madrid el 20 de Julio, el equipo fue recibido con el trofeo y continuó la celebración con actos oficiales y una celebración junto a los aficionados en la Plaza de Cibeles en Madrid. Este Mundial también fue especial por ser el primero con 48 selecciones y 104 partidos. El torneo se disputó en Canadá, México y Estados
estaba más familiarizada con celebraciones como la Navidad, el Año Nuevo y el Día de los Reyes Magos. En mi casa, la celebración principal era la Nochebuena, el 24 de diciembre, mientras que en muchos hogares estadounidenses se celebra principalmente el día 25. Estas diferencias también se reflejaban en la comida y en las actividades cotidianas. En mi hogar, la pupusa, un plato tradicional salvadoreño, era tan familiar como la hamburguesa en muchos hogares estadounidenses. Del mismo modo, los juegos tradicionales de El Salvador y algunos juguetes hechos a mano formaban parte de mi infancia. A medida que crecía, las diferencias se hicieron más evidentes, pero nunca me avergoncé de mi cultura; al contrario, siempre me he sentido orgullosa de mis orígenes y de los de mi familia. Sin embargo, siempre quise encontrar una manera de integrar mi herencia salvadoreña con la cultura estadounidense que llevaba tanto tiempo conociendo. Con el tiempo, entendí que no tenía que escoger entre una y otra. Puedo celebrar las tradiciones de mi familia y, al mismo tiempo, formar parte de la cultura estadounidense. Puedo hablar español e inglés, disfrutar de una pupusa y de una hamburguesa, y celebrar tradiciones que provienen de ambos lados de mi historia. Crecer entre dos culturas no significa tener que elegir. Para mí, significa llevar ambas conmigo y reconocer que cada una ha contribuido a formar la persona que soy hoy. •
¡España vuelve a la cima! Adrian Pinto Editor Adjunto
La selección española volvió a hacer historia el pasado 19 de julio al proclamarse campeón del mundo por segunda vez en la historia del fútbol. España derrotó a Argentina 1-0 en la final del Mundial de 2026, disputado en el estadio Metlife de Nueva Jersey, después de un partido en el que España fue superior durante todo el encuentro. La selección controló el balón, jugó gran parte del partido en campo rival y creó muchas más ocasiones. Terminó con un 65,1% de posesión y 20 remates, 12 de ellos a puerta, mientras que Argentina solo consiguió dos disparos y ninguno fue entre los tres palos. El camino de España hasta la final no fue sencillo. La selección empezó el torneo empatando contra Cabo Verde, pero después consiguió ganar frente a Arabia Saudi y Uruguay para terminar primera de su grupo. En las eliminatorias, España eliminó a Austria, Portugal, Bélgica y Francia antes de llegar a la gran
final. En total, el equipo marcó 14 goles durante el torneo y solo encajó uno, enseñando una gran solidez defensiva. Uno de los aspectos más destacados del torneo fue precisamente la defensa, con el portero Unai Simon. Simon terminó el Mundial con siete partidos sin encajar ningún gol, el mayor número conseguido por un portero en una sola edición de la Copa del Mundo. Además, recibió el Guante de Oro de Adidas como reconocimiento a su actuación durante el torneo. En el medio del campo también estuvo Rodri Hernandez (capitán de la selección), quien también recibió el Balón de Oro de Adidas como mejor jugador del torneo. Su liderazgo fue importante durante toda la competición, especialmente en un equipo que combinó jugadores con mucha experiencia con una generación más joven. Entre los jóvenes destacó Pau Cubarsi, que disputó su primer Mundial con solo 19 años. Se convirtió en uno de los adolescentes que disputaron una final del mundial y terminaron levantando el trofeo. Aparte fue
Unidos, y terminó con más de 6,8 millones de espectadores presentes en los estadios durante la competición. Para España, sin embargo, todo terminó de la mejor manera posible. La selección llegó a Estados Unidos, México y Canadá con el objetivo de competir por el título y terminó levantandolo. Ahora, con una nueva generación de jugadores y un segundo Mundial en el escudo, España tendrá que empezar a pensar en el siguiente reto, defender su título en 2030, cuando el Mundial se celebrará en España, Portugal y Marruecos. Luis de la Fuente seguirá al frente de la selección hasta ese torneo después de haber firmado su renovación con la selección. El mundial de 2026 quedará así como otro capítulo importante en la historia del fútbol español. Desde aquel primer título en Sudáfrica en 2010 hasta esta segunda estrella, España ha vuelto a enseñar que puede competir a la selecciones con gran nivel. Esta vez, el camino terminó con un 1-0 en la prórroga, un gol de Ferran y una nueva Copa del Mundo para la selección española.•
VIERNES, 9 DE OCTUBRE, 2026 • EL BEACON
Venezuela después del terremoto Alex Garcia Genesis Angarita Editor de sección Contribuidora
El 24 de junio de 2026, Venezuela fue sacudida por dos grandes terremotos, de magnitud 7,2 y 7,5, que ocurrieron con solo 39 segundos de diferencia. Los sismos afectaron principalmente a Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, La Guaira, Miranda y el Distrito Capital. La Organización Panamericana de la Salud reportó que millones de personas estuvieron expuestas a fuertes movimientos y que la Guaira podía estar entre las áreas más afectadas, con edificios destruidos, daños en infraestructura, y miles de damnificados. La causa de estos terremotos está relacionada con el movimiento de las placas tectónicas. Venezuela se encuentra cerca del límite entre la placa del Caribe y la placa Sudamericana, una zona donde existen varias fallas que están activas. Según el USGS, los terremotos del 24 de junio probablemente estuvieron relacionados con las fallas Boconó y San Sebastián. Lo que causó que fueran dos terremotos tan fuertes en menos de un minuto. Además, la poca profundidad, el tipo de terreno y la dirección en la que se creó la ruptura, contribuyeron a que algunas zonas recibieron movimientos muy fuertes. La Guaira fue especialmente una de las zonas más vulnerables por su ubicación, y por su terreno. Imágenes que fueron analizadas por la NASA mostraron un desplazamiento importante del suelo en La Guaira y áreas cercanas después de los terremotos. Para los venezolanos, esta tragedia fue todavía más difícil al ver que el
sacrificio que todos han hecho para sobrevivir los últimos años terminó en una tragedia que acabó con el hogar de muchas familias. Así mismo, el impacto del terremoto no terminó cuando dejó de temblar el suelo. Después del desastre, muchas viviendas y edificios tuvieron que ser evacuados, mientras que los daños a hospitales, carreteras y otros servicios hicieron más difícil la recuperación. Además, las réplicas y otros movimientos posteriores causaron preocupación entre las personas que vivieron el terremoto. El USGS dice que después de un terremoto grande pueden ocurrir réplicas durante horas, días, semanas o incluso meses. Por eso, reconstruir una comunidad no significa solamente reparar edificios, sino también recuperar la seguridad y la tranquilidad de las personas. Por su parte, la actividad sísmica de esta zona está relacionada principalmente con el límite entre las placas del Caribe y Sudamericana y con sistemas de fallas que atraviesan o rodean el norte del país. Esto muestra que no podemos saber exactamente cuándo ocurrirá el próximo terremoto, haciendo que la reconstrucción del lugar sea mucho más difícil, pero esta reconstrucción es mucho más que construir edificios. Significa recuperar hogares, lugares familiares y la sensación de seguridad que muchas personas perdieron aquel 24 de junio… Hoy, después de otro desastre, los venezolanos tienen una nueva oportunidad para demostrar su fortaleza y apoyarse unos a otros. •
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Cómo sobrevivir AP literatura Alex Garcia Editor de sección
Si estás tomando la clase de AP Literatura en Español, ya sabes que la clase puede ser un reto. Entre las lecturas, los análisis, y los ensayos, siempre hay algo que hacer. A veces parece que apenas terminastes una tarea cuando ya tienes otra. Pero también es una clase súper divertida, y aprendes mucho, ya que con el tiempo empiezas a entender mejor la literatura y encontrar conexiones entre los textos leídos previamente. Todo depende de cómo vivas la experiencia de la clase, y hagas todo el trabajo que te asignan. Una de las partes más importantes de esta clase son los 38 textos que leemos y analizamos. Durante el año leemos obras de múltiples autores como por ejemplo, ‘La casa de Bernarda A l b a’ d e Fe d e r c i o G a r c i a Lorca, ‘El lazarillo de tormes’ [anónimo], ‘San manuel bueno, Mártir’ de Miguel de Unamuno, etc. Algunos textos son más fáciles de entender que otros. Todo depende del siglo a los que pertenecen los textos, como en el siglo XX la época medieval es complicada ya que usa el español medieval y
presenta estándares sociales completamente diferentes a los de hoy en día. A medida que los textos se acercan más al siglo XX, ya se empiezan a entender los textos. Sin embargo, leer los textos no es suficiente, también tenemos que analizarlos a través de ensayos. En esta clase,
la práctica es super importante. Aunque la clase puede ser difícil, también tiene momentos agradables. Se siente como un alivio poder entender los textos y ver que tus ensayos siguen mejorando. Incluso puedes empezar a reconocer recursos literarios cuando lees por tu
cuenta. En esos momentos te das cuenta de todo lo que has aprendido durante el año en la clase. AP literatura en Español no siempre es fácil. Algunas semanas tendrás demasiadas páginas para leer, otros días estarás cansado de escribir ensayos, y algún momento estarás cuestionando la razón por la estás tomando la clase, pero al final, todo va a valer la pena. •
los ensayos se basan en analizar diferentes temas asignados por el College Board, como la construcción del género, o el tiempo y el espacio, usando figuras retóricas. Al principio puede ser difícil ya que puede ser frustrante no entender los textos. Sin embargo, con el tiempo y práctica, se hace mucho más fácil. Por eso es que
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Ayuda para familias inmigrantes Rachael Gamez Contribuidora
Los inmigrantes han contribuido al crecimiento y desarrollo de Estados Unidos desde sus inicios. Sin embargo, muchas familias inmigrantes enfrentan dificultades para acceder a servicios esenciales, como la atención médica, la alimentación y la vivienda. Aunque existen programas de asistencia, no todas las familias pueden acceder a ellos debido a los requisitos de elegibilidad. Por eso, es importante visibilizar las ayudas que la ciudad de DC ofrece a la comunidad. Las diferencias económicas entre familias inmigrantes y estadounidenses pueden afectar su acceso a servicios básicos. Entre los programas federales de asistencia se encuentran SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), y SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Sin embargo, los requisitos de estos programas varían y algunos dependen de los ingresos, la edad, el estatus migratorio u otras condiciones. Afortunadamente, uno de
los recursos que ofrece el Distrito de Columbia es DC Health Care Alliance, un programa financiado localmente que proporciona cobertura médica a residentes de DC que cumplen con los requisitos de elegibilidad y no califican para Medicaid. El programa incluye servicios de atención médica y también contempla a niños y jóvenes menores de 21 años que cumplen con los requisitos correspondientes. Alliance y el antiguo Immigrant Children’s Program (ICP) se unieron en un solo programa a partir del 1 de octubre de 2025. Además de los servicios de salud, existen organizaciones y programas que ofre cen apoyo a familias que enfrentan dificultades económicas. Catholic Charities DC ofrece servicios para inmigrantes y refugiados, incluyendo asistencia alimentaria, apoyo familiar, servicios legales de inmigración y conexiones con otros recursos comunitarios. Sus servicios están disponibles para personas de distintos orígenes y estatus migratorios. Por su parte, Virginia Williams Family Resource Center es un recurso para familias que necesitan ayuda relacionada con la vivienda y la falta de hogar. El centro coordina la admisión a
servicios de emergencia para familias de DC y puede orientar a quienes necesitan apoyo para encontrar un lugar seguro donde vivir. Otro programa de asistencia energética L I H E AP ay u da a familias elegibles a cubrir parte de sus gastos de energía. C o m o es evidente, e x i s t e n m u c h o s recursos en el Distrito de Columbia que pueden apoyar a las familias inmigrantes en momentos difíciles. Conocer e st a s o p c i o n e s y compartir información confiable con la comunidad puede marcar una diferencia en la vida de muchas personas. Si tú o alguien de tu familia necesita asistencia, consulta los programas oficiales de DC y las organizaciones comunitarias para conocer los requisitos y servicios disponibles. Para obtener más información sobre los servicios de Catholic
Charities DC, por ejemplo, puedes llamar al 202-772-4300 o visitar su página oficial.
También puedes consultar los recursos de salud del Distrito de Columbia para conocer las opciones de cobertura médica. Informarse es un paso importante para encontrar apoyo y construir una comunidad más conectada.•
GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE
The Beacon
GAMES
18
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026
*DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT @THEJACKSONREEDBEACON ON INSTAGRAM FOR SOLUTIONS!*
Make sure you have
READ FURST before you do the
BREAD FURST sponsored games
BEACON MAZE
MINI CROSSWORD By Luke Suardi
can you find your way out?
ACROSS 1 Marx’s “___ Kapital” 5 Dry-___ board 7 Hairs around male lions’ heads 8 America’s first black president 9 What we breathe DOWN 1 Evil spirit 2 Someone from the Middle East 3 Yemen’s capital 4 France’s Oscar award, or labor leader Chavez 6 Prefix meaning “half”
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 JRHS nearby Quaker rival 4 Hard to pin down 10 Spanish house 14 Singer Grande, familiarly 15 Much political humor 16 Molecule component 17 They transform at the full moon...
By Luke Suardi and Milo Anderson
19 Soccer org. that runs the Champions League 20 Looked at 21 Camera’s eye 22 Reclined 23 Actor Radcliffe 26 Homemade bombs, for short 28 Classic Halloween exclamation 34 Day of rest: Abbr.
37 Blood of the Gods 38 Cause for a pause 39 Not pretty 41 Pink Nintendo character 43 Astronaut Armstrong 44 Site of the prefrontal cortex 46 Innocent or unaware 48 Maiden name
49 You carve it and light it up on Halloween 52 Low-carb diet 53 Single-malt liquor 57 Pendulum paths 59 Notable crop of Iowa 63 Greek goddess of the Earth 64 Wander 65 Land of the dead 68 Tiny amount 69 2-___ 70 Goose, en francais 71 Org. 72 Vessels pour café 73 Prof’s helpers DOWN 1 Did some carpentry 2 Norse goddess of love 3 Signal to pull over 4 Opposite of NNE 5 “Ni ___” (Mandarin greeting) 6 “___ never work!” 7 Knicks in ____ 8 ____ Twins, popular Youtube gym duo 9 Answer with a salute 10 Witch’s potion brewing pot 11 Command after entering the barracks, perhaps 12 ___ Stadium (L.A. Rams’ home)
13 The Four Seasons’ “Walk Like ___” 18 Revise 24 “___ tu” (Verdi aria) 25 Enjoy a lollipop 27 And so on: Abbr. 29 Ceramic synonymous with porcelain 30 Holy text of Islam 31 A planet’s path 32 French friend 33 Story 34 Topic: Abbr. 35 City home to the Taj Mahal 36 Don’t cross their path... It’s bad luck 40 “Good grief, dude!” 42 First name in fashion 45 “___ so fast!” 47 IRS benefit meant to prevent layoffs during COVID-19 50 Swarming insect 51 Something planned but not done 54 Fortuneteller’s deck 55 Tiny hairs 56 Greek God of 65Across 57 Opera solo 58 Aussie hoppers 60 Draft status 61 Nutritional figs. 62 Brooklyn basketball squad 66 Riddle me ___ 67 QB targets
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
GAMES
Horoscopes Aries- Research shows that just thinking about the gym can be more effective than actually going. Taurus- Mitch McConnell will outlive you. Gemini- You will be cursed to be a Jets fan for life. Cancer- Start a petition to bring back Ms. Gelfand. Leo- Ben Holland dedicates this games section to you. Virgo- Make plans for Halloweekend before it’s too late. Libra- Stevie Nicks says hi. Scorpio- Apply early to ASU, you could be frat sweetheart Sagittarius- Your term 1 GPA will magically be 5.0, no matter how many tests you flunk. Capricorn- You will make JR Almost Friday next week, watch out. Aquarius- You should wait until March to take the SAT Pisces- Have you considered taking a gap year?
19
SPELLING BEECON
By
Eliza Weiss & Logan Shafter
Find as many words as you can! Words must be at least 4 letters long and use the center letter at least once. Letters can repeat.
BEACONNECTIONS
Find groups of 4 that share something in common!
SUDOKU
By Ruth Mongelli & Jane Davis
!ANSWERS!
Candy Corn, Dots, Milk Duds, Jawbreaker (Halloween Candies) Witch, Zombie, Skelet on, Spider (Minecraft Mobs) Smile, Psycho, Alien, It (Famous One-Word Horror Movies) Funy, Wish, T, Back (_____ Bone)
Jackson-Reebus Beach Day items by James Bishop
WORD SEARCH By Eliza Bowers-Shreve
Word List: Apple Cider | Autumn | Back To School | Boots | Scarecrow !ANSWERS!
Costume | Cinnamon | Chilly | Caramel Apple | Scarf Halloween | Flannel | Fall Equinox | Harvest | Sweater Leaves | Nutmeg | October | Orchard | Pumpkin Patch
Halloween : (Hall + O + wiener - er) Haunted House Trick or Treat
KIDS IN THE HALL
FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9, 2026 • THE BEACON
Who is your dream HOCO date?
A Chipotle Bowl Vivian Lapointe, 10
Britney Spears Andrew Norton, 9
Jacob from twilight or Jennifer Lawrence Alison Soto, 10
Nicholas Hoult Jane Davis, 10
Obama Charlie Crist, 11
Elastagirl Coralie Fagonde, 11
Tom Holland Keira Benes, 11
Elastagirl Theo Segal, 12
6’ 5 plays basketball Tallulah Bromley, 11
Thomas the Train Engine Iris Grimm, 10
Ms. Gelfand Felix Demgaard, 11
Obama Kendall Lacey, 10