Volume 90 Issue 4

Holiday Edition

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School www.thejackson-reedbeacon.com

Vol 91 No. 4

DCPS unveils new AI resources Jordana Sloane Peyton Shum News Editor Opinions Editor

Recently, DCPS gave students access to a select list of Artificial Intelligence (AI) resources while upholding a policy banning all other AI resources in student work. However, Jackson-Reed students continue to use outside AI tools despite the ban.

The nine AI resources that DCPS announced to students via Canvas are Reading Coach, Speaker Coach, Search Coach, Math Solver, Immersive Reader, AdobeFirefly, Canva Magic Studio, and Turnitin Draft Coach.

The tools are unblocked on DCPS computers and available to all students for free.

Reading Coach, Speaker Coach, Search Coach, Draft Coach, and Immersive Reader are all part of Office 365, which students can access through Clever.

Reading Coach creates stories

using AI in various languages at varying difficulty levels and provides passages for students to read aloud. It then grades the student’s speech and provides feedback, allowing students to learn new languages and practice pronunciation. Speaker Coach gives data and recommendations on speech patterns, including pace, filler words, and tone using Teams and Powerpoint . Search Coach helps to guide students through selecting reliable sources.

Turnitin Draft Coach checks citations, grammar, and originality in Word. Immersive Reader has the ability to translate texts; change fonts and spacing; and, highlight to make reading easier. It can also read passages aloud.

Other approved tools focus on graphics and math. AdobeFirefly generates images based on texts students provide, but it often has errors and can only create generic objects. Canva Magic Studio is generative AI that creates pictures in different forms based on prompts. Math Solver solves

JR alum drafted to women's baseball Sam Bigge Grace Harscheid Sports Editors

Jackson-Re e d Baseball alum Paloma Benach has been drafted into the brand new Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) and will be competing in its inaugural season in 2026.

Benach started playing baseball when she was four, and had been playing for the past eighteen years before being drafted for the WPBL. She started by playing little league baseball, and kept on shooting upwards from there.

Benach's mother, Ava Benach, started DC girls baseball, a nonprofit dedicated for girls who love baseball. It has brought girls together learn the rules of the game and play it together. I also allows girls to just find a space where they feel safe enough to try to grow and fail.

At JR, Benach excelled as one PHOTO COURTESY OF PALOMA BENACH

of the best in the bullpen. She looks back on her time as a Tiger fondly, citing the excellent coaching staff as a key reason she was able to continue playing baseball at the next level. “The coaches were so accepting and welcoming.

They just wanted players who wanted to work hard and win,” said Benach.

“Robinson Mateo, Jimmy Sill, and H e n r y Martinez were all s u p e r crucial figures in motivating me to be able to continue to play baseball.”

After JR , Benach went on to play D3 college ball at Occidental. She described it as “a bit of a culture shock” after JR, but also as being a lot of fun; being in the college sports environment for a while allowed her to meet great people and learn even more about the game.

However, after two years, she see BENACH on page 8

math problems and explains each step of the solution.

DCPS maintains that the prescribed tools should be used “by students and staff as a supplement, not as a substitute” for doing work. However, most JR students are unaware of these tools with junior Emmanuel Abera stating he “had no idea there were any AI tools that DCPS lets students use.”

DCPS policy states that “students are prohibited from submitting AI-generated work as their original work or using AI to answer test, exam, or other assignment questions.”

Consequences for proscribed AI use can vary from “providing an opportunity to re-submit the work, to grade reduction,” depending on the severity. Despite this policy, many students still turn to prohibited forms of AI to do schoolwork.

Freshman Anne Trieu uses “AI to help [her] better understand see AI on page 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

Grandfathering ends for Hardy students Riley MacClellan News Editor

My School DC, the lottery portal for DC’s students for public schools, opened for students on December 15th.

This year the My School

portal is especially important for the JR families that also have kids at Hardy Middle School, as the grandfathering rule has been revoked for Hardy students with see BOUNDARY on page 2

PHOTO BY BRANDON WIMS

RECRUITMENT - The academies will no longer be recruiting at Hardy Middle School due to the boundary change.

Boys basketball opens DCIAA season with win over Coolidge Desmond Parsons Director of Art and Design

In an assertive fashion, the boy’s basketball team dropped a near 20-point win on the Coolidge Colts. Coach Bill led his team to outscore Calvin Coolidge High School 81-62.

Going into Friday night, tensions were high, and both teams wanted to show who was going to run DCIAA basketball.

Before we had even reached game day, the trash talk had started, with Cooldige calling Jackson-Reed “Calvin Reed." certain that they were gonna come out on top.

When the time for playing did arrive, the attendance wasn’t

lacking. Before the boys' game had even reached halftime, capacity was reached, and students from both schools were watching.

Throughout the game, the

boys trailed significantly, but despite being down 13 at the start of the fourth, the tone had see B-BALL on page 8

PHOTO BY DESMOND PARSONS

TIGER TAKEDOWN - Junior Avery Knight dribbles past the Colts in dominant 81-62 win.

Increased snowfall predicted for DC Tessa Frantz Section Copy Editor

This winter may bring more snow to DC than past years which could lead to increased school cancellations. Students and teachers at Jackson-Reed have differing opinions on the outcome of cancellations.

According to the Capital Weather Gang, this December could be the coldest that DC has seen in years. DC has had no snow in December for the past eight years; however, with a light

snowfall Friday, December 5th, this year has already changed that. While there was no DCPS cancellation on December 5th, the upcoming months bring possibilities of heavier snow and school delays.

Because of difficulties in predicting snowfall, winter models range from calling for moderate to heavy amounts of snow for this winter. The Washington Post predicts that this winter will be two to four degrees colder than normal. Last year, fifteen inches of snow fell in DC over the course

of the winter, with the average winter snowfall being 13.7 inches.

This year, similar weather is predicted, with the NBC Storm Team 4 anticipating there will be thirteen to twenty inches of snow this winter for the DC metro area.

To predict snowfall, many meteorologists examine the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is a climactic phenomenon that is made up of changing ocean temperature in the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean see SNOW on page 2

The Beacon

NEWS

2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

DC slows down e-bikes in response to teen crime Alex Rogers Contributor DC is imposing new restrictions on e-bike services after city officials raised concerns that the bikes are being used in teen crimes. The new rules are part of a broader attempt to address youth crime due to recent public safety concerns.

As crime reports increase, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has become increasingly concerned that e-bikes are enabling teen crime, with MPD sp o ke sp e r s o n To m Ly n c h noting that Lime was becoming a “getaway vehicle for juvenile suspects in robberies and assaults.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser also acknowledged the issue, stating “we have some concerns about some of the shared transportation equipment being used to commit crime.”

E-bike providers have existed in DC since 2017, but in recent

SNOW from page 1

and changes in atmosphere. In years with weak cool phases of the ENSO cycle, known as La Niña, DC often receives colder winters and heavier snow. The 2025-26 ENSO is in a weak La Niña, which suggests that snow may be heavy.

Additionally, while comparing this year’s weather patterns to past years with similar weather, the NBC Storm Team has found that year's with similar weather patterns have experienced heavy snowfall. This was seen in the winter 2013-2014, when DC received thirty-two inches of snow, way above average.

The possibility for

BOUNDARY from page 1

automatic admittance to any public school for younger siblings of a student who is currently enrolled.

Wi t h t h e a d d i t i o n o f MacArthur High School back in 2023, the feeding patterns into Jackson-Reed have shifted significantly. Now, eighth-grade students from Hardy Middle School are sent directly to MacArthur, leaving JR with only two feeder middle schools: Alice Deal and Oyster-Adams.

This has caused worries for some families with siblings being forced to separate. Parents have expressed frustration about having kids at multiple schools, and having to coordinate travel, activities, special events, and more across two different schools.

An anonymous Hardy 8th grader headed to MacArthur next year despite having two siblings at Jackson-Reed, expressed disappointment and anxiety about heading to a different high school. He noted that, “it will make

years the service has rapidly grown in popularity, from 50,000 rides in 2022 to over 1.5 million in 2025. This rapid growth has surpassed both the providers' and city’s abilities to maintain and regulate the service.

Overall, teen crime has become a big issue in DC. Recently, two teens were arrested while attempting to carjack a former DOGE staffer, a case that contributed to President Trump declaring a “crime emergency” in DC. In re sp o n s e to p o l i c e raising concerns about the bikes being used for teen crime and misbehavior, Lime and Vevo – two major suppliers – have agreed to lower the maximum speed boost on their bikes across the city.

The electric assistance now peaks at 15 mph for VeVo and 18mph for Lime bikes. Speed will be further reduced in areas where teens are known to congregate.

These changes are in response

to multiple cases where the bikes were being used by juvenile suspects for robbery and assault to easily flee the scene of the crime.

The reduction also came following many complaints from pedestrians of e-bike riders hitting them with the bikes. Sophomore Alex Grayson told the Beacon that he “was walking home from school and someone came zooming past" and ran over his foot. Grayson went on to say that he “felt really disrespected.” Similarly, junior Uli Ferrero was “was walking across the street and this guy on an E-Bike was going so fast and almost ran [her] over.”

While slower speeds will benefit many pedestrians, critics say forcing cyclists to ride even slower than surrounding cars will further encourage them to ride on the sidewalks.

Although Lime has worked to reduce speeds on its bikes, it has adjusted prices which may also affect ridership. Lime recently

cancellations due to snow prompts mixed reactions at Jackson-Reed.

Some students are excited, like Sophomore Blake Gillespie who “loves snow days.” She thinks they “provide for us a well-needed break,” and that students can use them “as a chance to catch up on work and have fun with friends and family that they wouldn’t usually have time for.” Similarly, Junior Louise O’Connell believes that “snow days really help us to relax and have fun when we’re so stressed.”

On the other hand, some teachers are worried that school cancellations may set classes behind the required curriculum.

AP classes have very strict schedules and curriculum that must be fully taught by May in time for AP testing. One anonymous

teacher is concerned that if there is a lot of snow this year, it will lead to cancellations and their classes may fall behind on lessons. This will make it harder to teach what is needed and lead to possible difficulties.

English teacher Joseph Welch, on the other hand, does not think it is hard to make up missed work, saying that, “while snow days do disrupt our schedule, our schedule gets disrupted so much that as a teacher you get used to it.”

Snowfall is very difficult to predict because there is no one fully accurate method, so even though many meteorologists have used data to predict that snowfall will be heavy, there is also a possibility that DC will receive little or no snow. •

traveling to school much harder,” for his entire family.

The student added that, “JR being a bigger school means it has more things to offer, while MacArthur is newer and does not have as many options. This makes it harder for [him] to pursue different opp ortunities.”

T h i s disappointment is shared by many parents who feel MacArthur’s opportunities are not yet comparable to JR’s.

It is important to note that as of the 2025-26 school year, Jackson-Reed’s enrollment finally went down to roughly the building’s capacity after years of severe overcrowding. The issue of overfilled classrooms, floating teachers, and the overload of programs due to an unbalanced student-teacher ratio has died down since the influx of the student body died down.

adjusted the pricing of its “Lime Access” program, which gives low-income residents unlimited rides. They initially raised their prices from $5 to $30 per month, but after significant pushback the price was lowered to $15 a month.

They have also increased their perminute prices and introduced dynamic pricing - where costs vary depending on demand, location, and time. These changes may affect who has access to e-bikes in the city.

For some, these changes have been noticeable, with Ryoma Smith stating that he “used to use them every day but then realized how quickly it added up and had to stop.”

The e-bike speed adjustment comes after several other policy measures by the district to try and combat teen crime, including several temporary curfews. Over the summer, the city instated a 90day curfew — which has now been extended until April — ­ focused on

AI from page 1

[her] assignments because [she] often does not understand concept explanations from teachers, so AI takes the problem [she] gives them and thoroughly explains it.” This form of AI assistance is commonly used by students outside of school. An anonymous

restricting large gatherings of teens around high traffic areas such as U-Street and the Waterfront.

However, during the curfew, police made no juvenile arrests.

The curfew allows the police chief and mayor to declare temporary curfew zones where people 17 or younger will be banned from gathering in groups of more than eight after 8 p.m.

Council support is not unanimous of the curfew, however, with council member Christina Herderson saying, “The curfew is just a tool … It’s not the solution, and it won’t solve all of [DC’s] particular issues here.” Many council members who voted in favor of the curfew agreed that the DC government should follow up with less restrictive ideas, such as creating more safe spaces for teens, to solve the problem of large violent gatherings. Overall, with teen crime on the rise, DC is looking for new ways to address it, whether through e-bike

students rely too heavily on AI and find it detrimental to students’ learning. AP Psychology and chemistry teacher Sonya Gelfand believes that “AI takes away from the work students need to do to come up with original ideas and makes their threshold for doing the work much lower.”

English teacher Caroline Szakats agrees, saying, “We want to be able to teach students how to

PHOTO BY DESMOND PARSONS

"IM TALKING TO MY FRIEND!" - Many students continue to use banned AI technology to complete their schoolwork in class.

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

It is projected that these enrollment numbers will continue to drop significantly, continuing their downward trend below capacity as the years progress.

As the enrollment process progresses, the looming question of where these students will end up remains.•

sophomore said she “uses AI on [her] home computer to give [her] ideas, outlines.” An anonymous junior added that he “gives AI work prompts and then paraphrases the answer it gives before running it through AI detectors so [he] doesn’t get caught.”

However, not all students turn to AI to help them. Junior Paulina Afonsky believes that AI is untrustworthy because “people are trusting it with their secrets and life and befriending it, and [she feels] like it’s going to make people dumber.”

JR teachers also believe

think critically, but the use of AI completely circumvents students utilizing and practicing that skill.”

However, Szakats acknowledged that AI “is not going away, and will probably change the world as we know it sooner than we think.”

She also recognizes that the DCPS AI policy “hinges on the ability of teachers to be able to prove that AI was used on an assignment,” but that “students have become better at using AI so as not to be detected.”

Going forward, it is unclear if DCPS approved AI tools will expand, as new AI tools become

The Beacon

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

FEATURES

Is the holiday market worth it?

Peyton Shum Jordana Sloane Opinions Editor News Editor

You’ve seen the Downtown DC Holiday Market on everyone’s Instagram stories recently: the fancy hot chocolate, giant lit up star, and hordes of people walking under strings of lights. But for all its aesthetic photo opportunities, is it really worth the trip?

First of all, getting there isn’t that hard. A straight shot on the Red Line brings you to Gallery Place, which is just a block away from the market. However, once you get there, you’re immediately assaulted by long lines and masses of people who have forgotten how to walk. If you think the Metro ride was long, just wait until you attempt to buy any warm food. That is, if you can find the end of the line because as we found, there are no lines that don’t wrap around the side of a building.

We decided to skip the lines and just look at the stores. There was a nice little puzzle shop, a cheese store, a lot of posters and paintings, and a booth titled “Friends to Lovers Romance Books."There was a great assortment of gift-worthy items that might appeal to people with a stable income who don’t spend all their money at Whole Foods. We recommend buying gifts for your parents here, but only with money they provide you.

On our expedition through the stalls, we ran into a man.

Coincidentally, he was dressed up as the Grinch. Peyton wanted a picture with the Grinch, but it didn't take us long to decide we needed to get as far away as we could.

All the window shopping made us hungry, so we decided to return to the aforementioned food lines, and cut into the crepe line. After waiting 20 minutes to order, Jordana (still shocked that she paid so much) was glared at when she didn’t tip on the

overpriced $17 crepe. Ten minutes later, we received our crepe. The man making our crepes screeched our name repeatedly when it was ready, though we were standing right in front of him. We rate the crepe 7/10. Our experience, however, was -67/10.

Then we decided to get a meatball because there was no line. Unfortunately, upon ordering, we learned that there was no line because they were out of pasta, so we had to wait for it to come. By this point, we were done. When we received our singular $11 meatball and pasta, we headed back to the Metro. We were planning on eating the meatball at a table, but the tables were full, so we ate it on the train.

Overall, Christmas markets are great if you have money and too much time to kill waiting for food. We unfortunately have neither of these, so, to our great disappointment, we probably won’t return. At least until next year. •

Where to get your next croissant Joao Braga Junior Editor

The croissant is often seen as the quintessential French pastry, with bakeries all over the world trying to replicate its delicious taste. Yet, in the opinion of my French friend, Arthur ,who has consistently trashed American croissants ever since I met him, there are no good croissants in DC. To prove him wrong, I brought him along to test four different options, ranging from supermarkets to fancy boulangeries.

Lidl: 6/10 (50¢) “Expected it to be worse” Though not the fanciest place on the list, it was surely the cheapest, with their croissants costing only 50¢. At first, we had very low expectations given the price; however, Arthur and I were quickly surprised by how decent they were. The crust was a bit soft, but it was pretty fresh and buttery for a supermarket croissant. Lidl stood out as a fantastic deal for anyone looking for a quick and

affordable way to enjoy a solid croissant.

Tatte: 7/10 ($4.50) “Pretty good, but not worth the price” Tatte has multiple locations in DC and is generally well-regarded for its wide variety of baked goods.

Unfortunately, despite looking delectable, Tatte failed to live up to our expectations, with Arthur describing the taste as “too basic” and surprisingly “very similar to the Lidl one.” I know we are bringing up Lidl quite a lot when talking about our croissant journey, but it's a necessary comparison when you take into account that it’s nine times the price of Lidl’s while only tasting slightly better.

Fresh Baguette: 8/10 ($4.10) “The most similar to the everyday croissants in France” Following the massive letdown that was Tatte, we were pleasantly surprised by how good Fresh Baguette’s croissants were. The crust was crunchy and consistent, while the inside was layered and soft. By far, Fresh Baguette was superior to Tatte in both taste and price. If that wasn’t enough, Arthur

said that out of all the croissants we tried out, this one was the closest to the ones he would usually find in bakeries back in France.

Boulangerie Christophe: 9/10 ($4.20) “By far the most premium” Boulangerie Christophe immediately stood out as the most premium option of the bunch. It had an endless variety of some of the most delicious-looking baked goods I’ve ever seen; it felt and looked like a tiny slice of France dropped right into Georgetown, which added up to a very fancy experience. Now, when talking about the croissant itself, it had a “traditional” shape that, according to Arthur, “has become less and less common in bakeries in recent years.” The price translated to an amazing experience, with the crust being very crispy while the inside was incredibly buttery. The experience was so great that Arthur said it was better than your average French Bakery. So, if you are willing to pay the premium, Boulangerie Christophe is the best option for you. •

3

Bye-bye, 2025!

each other around July.

A crowd favorite show has been Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson winning the latest 2025 is almost over, and it has season. Many watched this season been quite the year. With so much of DWTS closely due to Whitney constantly happening in our world, a Leavitt and Jen Affleck, two wives recap of the year's most memorable starring in the most recent season of moments is much needed.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, At the top of our minds is the participating in the competition. new administration, with President Labubus were another frequent Donald Trump being inaugurated occurrence this year, with numerous into office this January, changing the versions including the “24 Karat Gold lives of millions. Upon taking office, Labubu." This craze caused many Trump signed numerous executive to engage in a larger discussion orders and legislation, like the "One surrounding consumerism and its Big Beautiful Bill Act." harmful effects on the environment, Trump deployed National as Labubus are a trend that will Guard troops to major cities, and end sooner than later, causing the between his first and second terms, synthetic dolls to end up discarded the country has experienced the two in the trash. longest government shutdowns in The rise of Labubus was also U.S. history, with the 2025 shutdown dubbed a recession indicator by lasting 43 days. social media. While the U.S. did not On an international note, formally enter a recession in 2025, Pope Francis passed away last it felt like one for many because of April, leading to the Conclave’s rising unemployment, slowing job election of the first growth, and high inflation.

American Pope For many, Labubus (Pope Leo seemed to be a XIV) from way for culture Chicago, to indulge Illinois. in simple In luxuries other during a news, time of t h e economic longuncertainty.

A n unforgettable awaited way to season remember any five of year is through Stranger the words of the Things dropped, year. Last year they were five years after GRAPHIC BY IRINA FILIPPOVA brain-rot, polarization, the last and demure. This year, season’s release. Additionally, the words of the year include rage the final season of The Summer I bait, parasocial, and, regrettably, 67.

Turned Pretty was released in July, (Is that even a word?). with news of a movie coming soon Finally, as this year comes (team Conrad for anyone who's to an end, it’s necessary to leave a wondering)! few things in 2025. We would be Much like Belly and Jeremiah, overjoyed to leave the word of the notably Katy Perry and Orlando year, 67, in the dust. Regardless of Bloom have split up, after having how you feel about 2025, it’s time to been together for ten years. Not leave it behind as well and welcome to worry, though, Justin Trudeau 2026 (what is about to be the best (yes, the former Prime Minister of year ever!). • Canada) and Perry began seeing Eva Solomon Esme Nooruddin Opinions Editor Written Content Editor

Fast Fashion is taking over, but you can stop it Alex Rodgers Contributor

Our closets are fuller than ever, but so are our landfills. The rise of fast fashion has turned shopping into a habit, instead of a necessity.

The average U.S. citizen purchases 53-68 new articles of clothing per year, about five times more than the average amount purchased in the 80s. This surge in purchasing comes from a shift in our culture where we value cheap, trendy clothing over higher-quality, timeless pieces. As a result, we buy far more than we need in an attempt to keep up with all the latest trends, throw away most of it, then buy even more, creating a cycle of constant overconsumption. ​Most of the items we buy are

the product of fast fashion, which is the rapid mass production of inexpensive, low-quality clothing that follows the latest trends, at the expense of the environment and workers, who face low wages and unsafe conditions. The industry relies heavily on cheap, synthetic fabrics, such as polyester whichrelease microplastics after every wash and wear, pollute our oceans and the air we breathe, and take over a century to decompose. These items have a massive impact on our environment at every stage of a garment's lifetime, from production to when it eventually ends up in a landfill. ​Fast fashion isn't limited to $5 items from SHEIN or TEMU; in fact, you might be surprised to learn that brands like Hollister, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, Princess Polly, PacSun,

Brandy Melville are all considered fast fashion and drop new items daily.

All these new trends and collections pressure consumers to buy more than they need in order to fit in.

Social media and influencers only intensify this feeling with constant hauls, restocks, and endless musthave lists that make it seem normal to own hundreds of pieces of clothing. Algorithms are designed to constantly show you new products, making shopping feel easy and unavoidable.

So what can you do? Reducing your impulse spending is a great start. Make sure you actually want the product because you like it, not because it's trending, or everyone else is wearing it. Make sure you give yourself time to ask: Will I wear this a year from now? Or will

it be sitting in the back of my closet collecting dust? Another great option is secondhand shopping, going to your local thrift store, neighborhood yard sale, or markets such as the Georgetown Flea Market, which all offer affordable, unique pieces.

However, if you don’t feel like leaving

the comfort of your home, you can turn to online secondhand shopping from companies like ThredUp and Poshmark. Just know your dollars have meaning, and every purchase you make can either support or hinder the fast fashion industry. •

GRAPHIC BY IRINA FILIPPOVA

The Beacon

OPINIONS

4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

Are Christmas albums a success? Purses vs. Backpacks Alex Oh Junior Editor

Has there ever been that moment in your life when you realized that one pop artist has a holiday album from when they were 17? Making a Christmas album re quires balancing traditional holiday songs with original ones and maintaining your signature sound. Sadly, some of these artists did not meet those standards, while others even exceeded them.

Merry Christmas (Mariah Carey) - 10/10 If we’re talking about iconic Christmas albums, there is no way that I couldn’t include this one.

This album is a perfect blend of classic and original songs, all executed perfectly. Carey’s powerful vocals and cheerful background music provide the energy all Christmas albums need, without sacrificing that signature Mariah Carey sound that has endeared people for years.

“All I want for Christmas Is You” could single-handedly save any album, although in this instance, it just adds to the album’s value. Plus, Carey’s iconic “It’s Tiiiiime!” has marked the start of the holiday season for years. In short, this album sets the bar for every other album.

The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (Taylor Swift) - 3/10 I’m convinced that even the most die-hard Swifties can’t defend this EP. Consisting of six songs (two original and four covers), this corny and manufactured

collection simply does not bring the holiday spirit.

Let’s start with Swift’s takes on traditional songs. Something about hearing her 17-year-old fake country accent sing “Santa Baby” does not sit well with me, and I can’t help but cringe at the end of “Silent Night” at her belting "Hallelujah’"with a chorus of voices in the background.

With regard to the songs she wrote herself, they are unimpressive at best. “Christmases When You Were Mine," for example, is a lazily-veiled breakup song that has no true relation to the holiday season.

In all, this EP just seems like a money grab to ride off the success of her first album, "Taylor Swift."

Under the Mistletoe (Justin Bieber) - 8/10 This is most certainly one of the most interesting Christmas albums I’ve ever listened to.

Created when he was only 17 years old, this album might just be the best example of the phrase “It’s so bad it’s good.” My personal favorite on the album has to be his rendition of “Drummer Boy”, featuring Busta Rhymes. However random that collaboration is, I’m grateful for it.

This song is nothing short of iconic, with some of the most creative rhymes I've heard. (“Sippin’ Eggnog with a little sprinkle of vanilla/Even though it’s kind of cold, I’m pullin’ out a chinchilla.”)

All in all, this album gives us a fun listen that encapsulates the holiday spirit.

Fruitcake (Sabrina Carpenter)- 6.5/10 This commonly overlooked holiday EP is made up of five original songs and a creative rendition of “White Christmas”.

Listening to it fully for the first time, I wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t.

This whole album screams Sabrina Carpenter. Every song has a bit of the humor, wit, and vocals that she is known for. I have listened to too many albums where the artist succumbs to the same Christmas cheesiness in a way that feels inauthentic, but Fruitcake is far from that.

However, I don’t feel any Christmas spirit when I listen to this album. There is truly only one original song that makes me feel excited for the holiday season: “buy me presents."One of her songs, “is it new years yet?” even expresses straight detest for the celebration, in which the opening line is “I’m sick and tired of this holiday.” Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t want to listen to a Christmas EP where the artist is actively hating on Christmas.

Holiday albums made by pop artists are certainly a very interesting genre of music, with variety in quality and entertainment that I tried to encapsulate in the five albums above. All in all, I would hope that these ratings influence you to go listen to some Mariah Carey or Justin Bieber (seriously, listen to Under the Mistletoe), or at least help you to know which albums not to listen to. •

Nati Pinilla Junior Editor

GRAPHIC BY CARMINE MACKAYE

Shoulder pain has become the most ignored and overlooked problem in Jackson-Reed, with a demand for chiropractors on the rise. This phenomenon is due to the decline in backpacks around school and the rise of a newer and more fashionable replacement: purses.

While backpacks used to be the most prominent back-toschool purchase, they have now decreased in sales, popularity, and trendiness. But what is the cause of this switch? What’s making students want a shoulder bag rather than a traditional backpack?

Personally, I have been an avid purse user since the 8th grade as backpacks could never match my unique style the way purses have. Through the switch from a backpack to a purse I have removed the weight of unnecessary items: a million pens and markers that would dry out, extra makeup products, notebooks for classes that I never used.

Now I feel I have become more organized and cut down to

the necessities I know I need for the school day. In my bag I carry my computer, charger, 4 pencils, 1 pen, my AP Lang book and a folder, a pack of gum, and my wired headphones. It even fits my Yondr!

I love the character that comes with the purses I buy and thrift for school and enjoy switching them out every two months or so. My advice to people who might want to make the switch is knowing the reality of how many items fit in your necessary checklist for school.

Our JR community has also spoken out about why there has been a switch and if we should continue or go back to the previous all star of back to school shopping.

Junior and purse user Sandy Nguyen states, “I think purses are cuter and more organized, as it's easier to grab my things because it is right next to me. I do think that my shoulder hurts more now, and backpacks are better for that.”

Junior Marcus Demammos says, “I have seen an increase in purses/ handbags. I think I can rock a shoulder bag, though backpacks are better because we have a whole bunch of stuff to carry.”

Ultimately, it seems that style has been prioritized rather than efficiency, functionality, and, most of all, back and shoulder health. Will the backpack soon become extinct with this growing favorability for a shoulder bag? And will the backpack ever receive redemption and regrow its popularity? So JR students, which type of bag do you prefer? •

How we can combat the growing partisan divide?

Sam Bensky Assistant Sports Editor

Right now, our country is more politically divided than it has ever been within our lifetime.

The terms “Republican” and “Democrat” carry connotations that, to some, rule out the possibility of finding common ground or healthy discourse.

Admittedly, I find it quite hard to maintain friendships with supporters of our current presidential administration, while many on the other side feel the same about Democrats, for exactly that reason.

We also live in the age of social media, where platforms provide both a wealth of knowledge about our nation, as well as rampant misinformation.

Long-form, educational media detailing the history behind complicated topics are often outshone by short-form, attention grabbing or anger inducing tidbits of knowledge that don’t paint a full picture of what are, again, incredibly complex and nuanced issues.

It’s not a surprise this content does so well, especially with youth.

It speaks to long-held divisions, it confirms bias, and it is simply more entertaining. However, this

short-form content is exactly what helped give birth to the rapid spread of misinformation and hate now so easy to find online, leading to our immense polarization.

This can be combated by seeking out more in-depth media.

However, on top of social media, our “Make America Great Again,"or M A G A ,

to our divide.

There are many ways Americans, especially our generation, can combat this.

I don’t believe that people want to lose friendships, but when others hold beliefs we deem immoral, it’s hard to look past those beliefs.

The answer, then, in my view, is research and communication.

W h i l e containing

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

administration objectively promotes this polarization. Whether through Truth Social posts detailing “democrat hoaxes,” or the press secretary and president’s constant personal attacks on journalists and politicians, social media is not the only contributor

misinformation, the internet can also greatly expand your knowledge of history, facts, and conclusions about our country and provideclear reasoning. You can then draw your own conclusions, not just retell social media’s talking points that are often untrue or oversimplified. Unfortunately, forgoing this research is not limited to the right, but fear not: a great thing about the left is that, in this era of competing information, statistics and historical evidence

are very often on our side!

When you come to a debate with a certain understanding of historical events, facts from verified sources supporting your view, and a logical path to its importance, you can actually change people's minds. Not everyone knows the true extent of, for example, institutional racism, private interest in government, or imperialism and “the war on terror,” despite their immense importance to policy today.

When researching the topics you may have heard about, but don’t fully grasp the implications of, not only can you increase your desire to learn more and gain a broader understanding of politics, but you’ll also learn that facts aren’t partisan. You can share this knowledge with others.

So many people are more caught up in the culture war that is American politics than they are in the hard issues that actually shape this culture. The more people who know the same

national history, and understand the same facts, the more we may come to realize that we’re not so different after all.

You may be reading this thinking, “MAGA would rather argue than actually learn.” Yep, that's definitely the case for some. However, you can still do your part to try to reach people, especially those more on the fence about the president 11 months into his second term.

When, instead of attacking the morality or intelligence of another and their position, you healthily discuss your views, while calling on evidence, you achieve another very important thing: you eliminate the hostility.

You can create an environment in which the other person isn’t immediately put in a position of defending themselves, which impedes one from actually changing their mind.

This can definitely be hard, but, hey, people, we need to do something about the radical, sometimes violent, polarization in our country that amplifies views of prejudice and hate. I believe that in time, with healthy, informed political discussion across the aisle to breed popular support against those types, the tide can turn back to a more united United States. •

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 • THE BEACON

OPINIONS

5

College Board is damaging our education Desmond Parsons Director of Art and Design

When did we stop learning for the purpose of learning? When did we start being taught so we can take tests? Having advanced classes, such as Advanced Placement courses, for further education in unique disciplines is very important. Still, the reason I take a college-level psychology or statistics class should be to engage in genuine learning about these topics. I should not be there for the GPA boost, and once I’m there, I should be learning everything I can about the subject, not confined by the guidelines of a test created by some board of people in New York.

AP and other standardized tests force teachers to narrow curricula that emphasize memorization: memorizing specific terms, memorizing how to write a certain type of essay, and memorizing how to write in a way that gets no points taken off. Students could have a deep understanding of concepts, but if a word slips their mind on game

day, the understanding doesn't mean much.

Points are lost for forgetting a word one may think wasn’t needed or was implied, but it's in the rubric, so the value of their previous words is tainted. They skipped the first step on their math Free Response Question, and all the work that came after that is now discarded. A student could have test anxiety, sleep poorly, lose motivation, causing their true understanding not to be reflected on the test. In addition, accommodations are often given in a one-size-fits-all manner that ignores the severity of mental needs and gives advantages to those who may not need them.

Furthermore, racial, socioeconomic, and language bias can create significant gaps in scoring as reflected year after year in AP tests, the SAT, and the ACT. With a similar group of people creating these tests and the multitude of confounding variables that can affect a student’s performance on any given day, the tests are faulty, and that's outside of the issues with the classes

Please no homework over break Caroline Wilding Junior editor

assigned to read a whole textbook in two weeks.

Now, with that being said, thank you to the teachers who don’t give homework over winter break. You guys are the real ones.

You’ve single-handedly risen to the top of my list of favorites by truly giving us a time to rest.

When teachers say that they just want us to relax and enjoy the break, it’s the best moment of the whole school year. It’s sad that hearing we don’t have work to complete over the break can elicit so much joy because it feels like the bare minimum, but I’ll deliver the energy nonetheless.

In case you couldn’t tell, assigning homework over winter break is a lose-lose situation. All it does is make students stressed every waking hour of the precious time off, and then teachers have to deal with our tear-stained work when we come back, which they’ll have to grade. So here’s a crazy idea: no homework over the break! I know, what a thought that we should actually be given some time to rest, but everyone would benefit. Students and teachers alike would get to enjoy holidays with family without the stress of ten different assignments.

Students would come back ready to learn and happy about the holidays that they got to enjoy for once, a n d

With the long-awaited winter break approaching, it’s time we take a serious matter into account: homework. Does it have a place to be done over the break that we’ve deserved through and through? The extremely short answer is absolutely not.

Winter break is supposed to be a time to recover from the academic strain of the first termand-a-half, spend time with friends and family, and above all, not do school work. We toil away at pages and pages of quadratic equations, do at least one CER a week, and for those of us who take APs, sit down for hours of notetaking and studying that goes with the class.

That’s a lot to ask of teenagers during the regular weeks of school, but stacking a math packet, six chapters of reading with analysis questions, and piles of notes to complete during our designated time off just makes winter break glorified school.

Teachers, we appreciate your kind thoughts and concerns about us forgetting information we’ve learned over the break, but we don’t want your twelve page packet, not even that simple one pager that shouldn’t be that hard but for some teachers reason would no is. No, longer be all we emailed want during the is the holidays GRAPHIC BY CARMINE MACKAYE word itself, a b o u t a break: no work, no thoughts submission boxes they forgot about work, literally just a to post or clarification on an time to forget altogether about assignment. Literally just peace school. I promise we’ll retain and quiet for two whole weeks. the information without being Now that sounds like a break. •

themselves.

Classes that have a curriculum based on learning a test— be it an AP test, CAPE, ANET, MAP— narrow student learning, lower creativity, and prevent deep discussion. We are not allowed to dive into the complexities of topics or have arguments about what things mean because teachers must prioritize moving quickly to get through as many concepts as possible. The next formula that's gonna be on the test is more important than the inner workings that make things happen.

I should not have to be told by a teacher, “We are not gonna go into that because it's not on the AP test,” because they have to get through a specific curriculum.

A curriculum that may leave out what the class wants to discuss.

In order for us to get through everything, notes and lectures are common, and deep discussions and creative projects are becoming more and more of a thing of the past. LEQs, DBQs, EBQs, and AAQs are all different writing forms that have a formula and rubric on how they should be written. Instead

of expressing your own thoughts or supporting your opinion, you must have an intro paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion that meets the criteria of the rubric. There is no room for being creative or having deeper, engaging learning.

Teachers are also greatly hurt by these tests. They are restricted in their scope of teaching by the rules of someone else. A teacher may want to foster an environment of discussion and creativity, and may do so as much as they can, but they will always be confined to rubrics and deadlines.

Furthermore, a teacher's skill and ability areis often attributed to the scores of their students on these tests, which often do not represent how good or bad a teacher they actually are. Scores are often seen as a judgment of how capable students are, but comparing scores and rankings and judging students based on this fosters an overly competitive environment. The focus shifts away from development and collaboration and towards how one seems compared to others.

It's an unnecessary division that promotes a stressful and unhealthy environment.

The tests themselves are an issue, but the real issue is what they are doing to the learning of those who truly want to learn.

Classes that could be really interesting, help students think about careers for the future, learn communication skills, build an understanding of the world around them, and even themselves, bleed from the wounds the system inflicts.

Education is meant to be “the great equalizer of the conditions of men," as Horace Mann describes it, not a battle in which the convergent thinkers and best test takers stand alone at the top.

We are meant to learn so that our knowledge is expanded and our desire to continue learning is fueled. We are meant to learn so we can understand the world around us and the people within us. We are meant to learn so we can teach, so we can have an impact on society and the people we talk to. We are meant to learn for the purpose of learning, so why did we stop? •

The best holiday movies Miles Heyman Contributor

What’s better than being close to loved ones with a fire, a holiday movie, and a cup of hot chocolate in hand on a cold, snowy day?

Absolutely nothing. Classics like Elf, The Polar Express, and Home Alone are known worldwide and are among my favorites.

T h e y bring us into a wonderful world of imagination that warms us, invigorates us, and fills us with the Christmas s p i r i t . We can’t wait to settle in with friends and family and see these classics again and again.

But then there are remakes and sequels. And that magical feeling we got watching those movies starts to fade. There are over 200 remakes of A Christmas Carol! Have you seen any of them?

Or how about Home Alone? Has anyone ever watched Home Alone three, four, five, and six?

I’m guessing not. This is because the more sequels, the less magic.

These movies just aren’t as special as they used to be with new actors, plots, and relationships; it's just not the same.

Remember when Kevin makes a milkshake out of

rootbear, marshmallows, sugar and ice cream sundaes. You probably don’t because it’s from Home Alone 5. But, everyone remembers the iconic scene where Kevin in Home Alone, puts aftershave lotion on and proceeds to scream with his hands grabbing his face. It’s these moments that make old and nostalgic movies far superior to new ones.

However, there is one

exception: The Grinch. The Grinch was one of the first ever colored Christmas movies, shown on TV nine years after the first color movie came out in 1957.

It’s one of the most iconic Christmas movies ever. With a connectable villain who turns good and a cute hero, it indeed makes your heart feel as if it has grown “three sizes”.

In 2018, Yarrow Cheney

and Scott Mosier directed a new Grinch movie with a similar plot, but animated it with a 3D rendering on a computer. This version had celebrity voices such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Pharrell Williams. Only 61 days after it was released, The Grinch (2018) brought in 500 million dollars, making it the highest grossing Christmas film of all time.

When I first saw the movie, I loved it.

From the first minute in Whoville with songs and rhymes, to kids throwing snowballs for thrills and good times, I knew that this movie would be sublime. Its vibrant and stunning animations, w a r m Christmas feel, festive m u s i c , and heartwarming story of Cindy Lou Who made me realize that this new version outshines the original.

Even with the failure of sequels, Christmas movies are still the best way to spend your free time during the holidays. So, light a fire, grab a delicious cup of hot chocolate, sit back, relax, and enjoy a selection of your favorite old Christmas movies, igniting the magic! • GRAPHIC BY AMINA BROWN

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THE BEACON • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

s r e g i T Hanukkah traditions Jordana Sloane News Editor

T h e r e’s s o m e t h i n g s o relaxing about Hannukkah: the sound of sizzling latkes and seeing all of the handmade, ugly Menorahs made over the years lined up on the counter. But of course, that’s not the only thing I love about Hanukkah; there are so many traditions that make it special.

When my brother and I were younger, our parents created scavenger hunts throughout the house for us to find our

presents. Every night, we would light the candles and do the prayers, and then we would race all over the house, finding cryptic clues and searching for our presents. Apparently, the “Hanukkah Fairy” stole all our presents, and every night we had to go find them. One year, I became convinced that the Hanukkah Fairy was the Tooth Fairy (after all, I never saw either of them, and they always brought presents), so I asked and was told that they were cousins. Yeah, right. Unfortunately, neither my brother or I ever lost a tooth during Hanukkah, so my theory

remains unproven (for now).

Now every year, we host a Hanukkah party. I love helping the little kids light the candles while simultaneously eating Latkes and keeping far, far away from the spicy poblano ones.

And of course, the best tradition by far is the annual rewatch of the Maccabeats, the best Jewish parody group out there. Special shoutout to Deeved Digs for his song “I want a puppy for Hanukkah” for radicalizing elementary schoolers everywhere.

Lastly, this one isn’t exactly a Hanukkah tradition, but it’s in

December, so I’m going to count it anyway: the annual required Chinese food feast on Christmas!

Firstly, I’d like to thank all the amazing Chinese restaurants that are open, and secondly, I’d like to thank my mother for mandating that we always have Chinese food, no matter where we are.

This year, Hanukkah starts on Sunday, December 14th, and will go through the entire last week of school before break. I like to think that one of my presents this year is an extra-long break.

See you next year Tigers! •

The Beacon’s holiday playlist Tessa Frantz Esme Nooruddin Section Copy Editor Written Content Editor

When is it really too early to listen to Christmas music? It’s a common debate (Tessa thinks after Halloween), but what does it really matter? It’s December now, so in the wise words of Mariah Carey “it’s timeeeee” (for our top 10 holiday songs). #1 - All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey Every holiday season, the Queen of Christmas herself tops the charts with this classic.

Released in 1994, All I Want For Christmas has been the Christmas song ever since. #2 - Last Christmas by Wham!

This 80s synth pop hit features

George Michael’s heartwrenching vocals as he describes a christmastime heartbreak. #3 - Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee A radio station’s holiday staple is found in Brenda Lee’s 1958 single. Featuring an iconic guitar and saxophone solo this song instantly brings people back to holiday seasons of years past. T #4 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love Originally sung and released

by Darlene Love in 1963, this song embodies holiday nostalgia. #5 - Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town by The Jackson 5 Originally sung by Harry Reser and his Orchestra in 1934, this song is undeniably a classic Christmas song. The Jackson 5’s 1970 cover of this song stands out among the others because it’s sung in the band’s classic R&B style, a unique version of this frequently told story about Santa. #6 - Carol of the Bells Carol of the Bells has a rich history as a Ukrainian New Year’s song called “Shchedryk”. The lyrics

to this carol were written later on

by American composer Peter Wilhousky in 1936. Most famously, John William’s 1990 arrangement of the carol is used in Home Alone when Kevin meets Old Man Marley. #7 - Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson In this song by Kelly Clarkson, her powerful voice, catchy lyrics, and Christmasy-background music come together perfectly. #8 Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms First sung by Bobby Helms in 1957, with various covers by other artists, Jingle Bell Rock is a popular Christmas song, and with its iconic feature in Mean Girls, it’s undeniably a classic. #9 - Like It’s Christmas by the Jonas Brothers While maybe not a classic, the Jonas Brothers Christmas music is the perfect anthem to get into holiday spirit. # 1 0 - Ha p py Joy o u s Hanukkah by the Indigo Girls There’s a lot of Christmas songs on this list, but it’s important to recognize other holidays too!

We hope you enjoyed

our list. If you take issue with it, sorry to break it to you but you are the Grinch–please don’t steal Christmas from us! If you liked our ranking, be sure to check out our official JR Beacon Holiday Playlist

because to end it with another Christmas icon’s words, “The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” (Buddy the Elf). •

Apple Music:

Spotify:

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 • THE BEACON

d O e w ut o n S

GRAPHICS BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE AND CLARE BATES

Festive fun: Christmas traditions Riley MacClellan News Editor

As the holiday season swiftly approaches, I thought I would take the time to inspire you all with some of my favorite Christmas traditions to get you in the spirit.

If you don’t have any particular traditions yourself, take some inspiration from me or make your own.

Decor: Our family puts an unconventional spin on the classic

holiday decorations around the house. We place starfish and other nautical ornaments around the tree, as well as a ceramic mermaid to replace the iconic star at the top of the Christmas tree, tying in with the coastal vibe. We put up those collectable plush birds dressed for winter you find at Target all over the house and absolutely cover every empty surface with tchotchkes we have picked up over the years. We also place particular effort in decorating our miniature fake Christmas trees we

put up in each of our rooms, mine taking inspiration from the iconic Charlie Brown Christmas tree (one fat ornament, tree slumped over by the weight of it, you get the picture).

Activities: While I do love rotting my days of break away on my couch, watching the same five Christmas movies over and over again, sometimes I feel inspired to get out and do something festive, which brings me to the topic of Christmas marts. DC is riddled with markets packed with

overpriced hot cocoa trucks and small businesses selling their handmade holiday gifts. From Gallery Place to Dupont Circle, the Christmas market scene is pretty sizable, making it the perfect opportunity for my other yearly tradition: buying a - sort of last minute - Christmas gift for my parents.

Food: My favorite part of the holiday season, the food.

Every year we make a super easy holiday snack that is stocked up at all times, and because I am nice,

I will tell you how to make it. We buy pretzels, place a Hershey Kiss in the center and put them in the oven so the chocolate melts and then we place the red and green MnM’s around it. It sounds boring and simple but try it; you won’t regret it.

Well, I hope that this brought some ideas to you all on how to spice up your holiday season, or inspired you to try something new. Who knows, maybe one of these will be your new Christmas tradition too. •

A leap into the DC Nutcracker The best Charlie Brown holiday movie Grace Harscheid Sports Editor

The Washington Ballet jetéed into the holidays with their first Nutcracker performance of the season on Saturday, November 29.

T h e Wa s h i n g t o n B a l l e t ’s performance of The Nutcracker is an uplifting experience from start to finish.

Once you have taken your seat, you are introduced to a delicate winter scenery and the Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet, Edwaard Liang. This is the way many families start their festive season, and, in the words of Liang, “For over sixty years, the Washington Ballet has had the honor of being a holiday centerpiece for families who both visit and who call this city home.”

The Nutcracker follows a girl named Clara through her adventures with a ‘nutcracker’ doll on Christmas Eve. In the beginning, the audience is welcomed into the warm, comforting home–based on a Georgetown rowhouse–of Clara and her family, as they await their guests and start prepping for their Christmas party. As their family members and guests arrive, the theatre is filled with the resonant music of Pyotr Ilyich

Tchaikovsky; one of the later songs being the beloved Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, often heard throughout the holiday season. The backdrops and effects also continue to create magic for the audience, as during the winter scene in the first act, ‘snow’ falls from the ‘sky’ as they dance.

The audience also has the privilege of watching over 4 0 0 y o u n g stu d e n t s f r o m The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) dance with the company members.

The company’s professional dancers perform a multitude of various roles. Usually, dancers o f t h e Wa s h i n g t o n B a l l e t follow an incredibly rigorous schedule; dancers often have multiple roles with little time– usually around two weeks–to prepare. Company dancer, Felecia Baker, who has been dancing professionally for ten years, but has only been with the Washington Ballet for two seasons, says “The first week is chaotic and you’re tired and confused, but then, it becomes muscle memory.”

The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker, spe cifically, is v e r y D M V- t h e m e d . W h i l e the traditional Nutcracker performance has a Chineseinspired dance in the second act, they have fishermen, and instead of Arabians, they have ‘Anacostans’. The second act

also incorporates cardinals, which are the state bird of Virginia.

Th e Su g a r P l u m Fa i r y is one of the most soughtafter and difficult roles in the ballet. When asked about the role, long-time dancer Ashley Murphy-Wilson said, “It never gets easier in terms of stamina, even if your stamina is the best it can ever be. So, being able to do it, and bring a bit of something different to it every time makes it a challenge, but also so rewarding: I push my artistic integrity or my body or my stamina, or my characterization to a different level.”

Both Murphy-Wilson and Baker love to dance the role of the Anacostans due to its “sensual” and “grounded” feel.

This dance is often a favorite of ballet aficionados and viewers of the Nutcracker due to its acrobatics and dynamics between the two dancers of the duet. For those like Baker who have not previously experienced the Nutcracker before, it will become ver y special and almost impossible to get sick of. As Murphy-Wilson said, “Art is what connects people as humans.” As you walk out of The Washington Ballet Nutcracker, your heart and spirit align with those around y o u , a l l h av i n g w i t n e ss e d something extraordinary.•

Nora Freed Contributor

Charlie Brown decidedly has the best lineup of seasonal movies.

There is one for almost every major holiday: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

Clearly, there are many strong contenders with each movie as nostalgic as the next, but the movie that comes out on top might have to be A Charlie Brown Christmas.

It has a great soundtrack, the most nostalgic plot, and a cozy factor.

The score epitomizes wintertime; every time it plays, I’m sent right to peak winter. Not only that, but the movie reeks of childhood. The dreamy music and animation transport you back to Christmas in elementary school.

It produced arguably the best Christmas song, “Christmas Time Is Here” which is the most Christmas song there is. Something about the song is so perfect: all of the kids singing, the piano, and the fact that anytime anyone mentions childhood nostalgia in a TikTok slideshow, this song is always playing.

Although the plot isn’t the most original, it follows the formula for a perfect holiday movie: at the start of the movie, someone isn’t feeling the Christmas joy, and by the end of the movie, they have

found the true meaning of Christmas through friendship and family. It may be corny, but it works every time.

The scenery is immaculate: it’s snowing the whole movie, and it opens up with them ice skating. It also follows a very classic Peanuts movie plot of Charlie Brown feeling down regardless of the situation and all his friends dogging on him for it. Obviously, by the end of the movie, Charlie Brown is no longer down in the dumps, and it ends with everyone caroling around a tree.

The movie is so deeply nostalgic; the animation of it being so simple only adds to it. With that said, as someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, I am really the authority on this. A Charlie Brown Christmas: not just a peanuts movie but the perfect holiday movie for anyone and everyone. •

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Written Content Contributors: Arabella Bernstein, Nora Freed, and Rose Geshekter

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JUNIOR EDITORS

Georgie Ley, Andrew Dellabella, Nati Pinilla, Patrick Hutchins, James Folkes, Idan Kumin, Nora Goldwasser, Affomia Debebe, Francisco Blancato, Alex Oh, Elsa McIntyre, Landon Green, Kate Walter, Sofia Amin, Giacomo Tomaino, Joao Braga, Caroline Wilding, Alexa Lucas, Ben O'Toole, Miles Green, Orly Jossen, Adrian Pinto

MEDIA STAFF LOLA PEARLMAN-CHANG Web Executive Editor NATALIA WEINSTEIN Multimedia Editor The Beacon is published monthly by students of Jackson-Reed High School. Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the views of the staff; personal commentaries reflect the opinions of the writers. Our mission is to provide an accurate representation of the diverse views, opinions, and concerns of the students of Jackson-Reed High School. Advertising and subscription rates are available by emailing beaconchiefeditor@gmail.com. The Beacon welcomes all student and guest contributions; articles, photographs, art, commentary, and letters to the editor. All submissions can be sent to beaconchiefeditor@gmail.com, and become property of The Beacon. Advised by Belle Belew

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

DC Stars Hockey shines bright Thatcher Norton Contributor

The DC Stars Hockey Club is a high school hockey team that pulls players from schools across DC that don’t have their own hockey program, like Jackson-Reed, School Without Walls, and Maret. The Stars has built a reputation for their developmental focus and producing disciplined, competitive players.

The DMV has seen a rise in high school hockey players due to its influential players, like Alex Ovechkin, who inspire kids to take up the sport themselves. With this gain in popularity, the Stars has become increasingly essential to satisfy the needs of the community and give players a chance to represent the District.

The Stars promotes camaraderie and give players skills that will stick with them for the rest of their life. The team encourages competition and grit to prepare players for their future. Sophomore varsity player Gabe Schon said he’s “very thankful to have a good group of players that work hard as a team, and it’s really great that we can all get along and push each other to work hard.”

Not only does the team push players to excel in life and at their sport, it also creates memories that players cherish forever. Freshman varsity player Treyson Shi said the

BENACH from page 1

realized that her and the coaching staff didn’t share the same visions and it wouldn’t benefit her to be a part of the team anymore, so she walked away: no regrets. “I needed to continue doing what I knew would help me and at the time, I knew that the Occidental team just wasn't it for me.”

Between stepping away from college ball and getting drafted for the WPBL, Benach trained with her friend who also played baseball, pushing one another to work hard.

She also attended USA Women’s National Team events,

B-BALL from page 1

changed. Both student sections had come alive with their signs, chants, and belts, and the Jackson Reed girls came alive, too. With a punishing constant attack on both offense and defense, the game was brought to within 2 points with only 6 seconds remaining and free throws to shoot. The first shot was good, but the second went in and out, and the put-back was no good, the game ended in a 56-51 loss.

The Coolidge student section had belts out, smacking the “Calvin Reed” sign and shouting all the way into the next game, but Jackson Reed boys did not waver.

The first few minutes were

“Stars has been one of my favorite parts of being in high school.”

Weekday practices and Friday night games create a special bond between players that can only be found in programs like this. The Stars provides players with skills and relationships that stay with them and help them succeed in life.

So far, the Stars has been strong this season, with a 3-2 record and a spot in the upper division, playing in Maryland schools like Rockville, Sherwood, and Walter Johnson.

The Stars are always looking for new players to increase their already thriving community. Whether you are skilled, or new to hockey, the

Stars is a perfect fit for you!

With 2 practices a week–usually at Fort Dupont–and 1 game, the Stars provides a fun opportunity to skate and shoot some pucks.

Shi, who has been to almost every practice and game, says that “the team is very inclusive to everyone, no matter your skill level.”

The team runs off of the amazing volunteers and coaches that make fun, skill developing practices. The players love the team, and it’s hard to beat the community and culture they’ve created. If you want to join, head over to dcstarshockey.org and get ready to play! •

PHOTO BY NATE WEITZNER

SKATING STARS - DC Stars Hockey Team poses for a team picture at Capital One Arena.

development camps, and tryouts.

She found out they were creating the WPBL league in November 2024. They had tryouts in August this year at Washington Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy, and the last tryout day was at Nats’ Park.

“In the future,” Benach said, “I want DC to have a team. I think that girls’ baseball in DC is a really special community and them having a team here would be incredible for the city and for the league.”

Having a welcoming community for girls who all share a common interest in baseball is essential.

In almost every other sport there is a ‘womens’ and ‘mens’ team, but most girls who grew

up playing baseball are told there isn’t a place for them in baseball rather, redirecting them to play softball–which is a widely different game.

They are told to switch to softball because ‘it’s the same sport,’ and because most people consider baseball to be a sport for men.

Benach said the girls of DC baseball “understand each other on a level that a lot of people can’t understand and I think that it is so valuable, not just for a girl who wants to play baseball, but as a person growing up, knowing that there is always a space for you in a world of people telling you no.” •

a slight cause for concern as the Colts went up early, but Coach Bill’s high press led to steal after steal, and the Tigers ended the first up 19-14.

From there, JR and the home crowd seemed to get more fierce, while the other team fell.

The threes were raining down, and it seemed like no player was afraid of punishing the rim.

One player that greatly stood out was junior guard Averi Knight, a new addition to the team who hit 1000 points in his high school career this game.

Knight was constantly attacking the paint and picking up quick transition points off steals.

The whole team worked greatly off one another, finding open looks and knocking down one after another.

Though the third quarter

isn't the last, the game seemed to have ended there as the Tigers outscored the Colts by 11, putting them up 23. It was truly a brutal quarter for Coolidge, with an authoritative slam by sophomore James Walker and a crowd that made sure the Colts knew who was in charge.

Before the fourth had even started, opposing fans had begun to file out of the gym quietly, while the celebration had already started for JR students.

When that final whistle did come, any doubt of who ran DCIAA was lost. After 10 straight years of beating Coolidge, is the outcome of this yearly matchup ever really in question? •

The Beacon

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

Style Icons Uli Raney Ferrero Contributor Throughout history, fashion has played an extremely important role in society and influenced the way people view others on a daily basis.

It has been used forever as a way to express identity without limits, and at times someone’s outfit can say a lot more about them than their words.

There’s several fashion icons to look up to: First off, well known fashionista Phoebe Tonkin displays a modern “effortlessly chic” aesthetic, wearing more comfy relaxed looks instead of unique, or loud trends. She sports a very minimalistic style and influences people who have a simple yet elegant sense of style.

Alternatively, for those who favor a bit more of an “out there” fashion look, much inspiration can be taken from the famous 2000s star Britney Spears. Although she's mostly known for her career as a singer, she is also known worldwide as a fashion star. She popularized the Y2K look of low-rise jeans with crop tops, a style many Jakckson-Reed students take inspiration from, emulating her fun, easy and stylish outfits.

Speaking of 2000s icons, another one is Paris Hilton. Paris has been known forever as the “It Girl” and started the low-rise tracksuit trend.

Her style is characterized as soft, pink and glittery, with a lot of accessories

and chunky jewelry. When thinking of the 2000s, these two idols instantly come to mind.

Next, the worldwide actor known for his role in “The Kissing Booth,” and more recently "Frankenstein," Jacob Elordi has inspired many young men for his uncomplicated, elegant looks. His style is seen as sophisticated yet cool and he’s even become a favorite of the high-end fashion brands like Bulgari and Boss.

Adding on, another famous actress, Zendaya is currently influencing many, for her “out of the box” fashion choices. She often pushes boundaries and ‘societal norms’ by wearing unexpected combinations, suits, and glamorous streetwear. Her fashion appeals to many, as her style is seen as freeing.

Overall, these are some of the most known fashion icons today, but of course there are many more.

Although there are people who might not think they have a specific fashion icon, they most likely take inspiration from them subconsciously. Having icons to look up to is always helpful, to help spark new ideas and looks, and can bring back clothes that used to be in fashion in the past, whilst adding a modern look to them. •

STYLE

9

The 2010s are back: Indie Sleaze Alexa Lucas Junior Editor

It’s no secret the 2010s are back in a big way, and I am here to tell you to fully embrace it.

Nostalgia's influence on style and generational aesthetics cannot be understated. As our generation rises to be the new teenagers and young adults, it’s time to finally give flowers to the millennials who paved our way with their Snapchat filters and chokers.

In the beginning of the 2020s, we saw an influx of the clean girl and, more broadly, minimalism lifestyles. Sleek buns and perfectly dewy makeup infiltrated everybody’s feed. Now, however, there’s been a clear rise of maximalism and an embrace of the glitter and rage of the early to mid 2010s: the clean girl is dead, and dancing on her grave is the indie sleaze princess.

Indie sleaze was a fashion style popular in the late 2000s to the mid 2010s. The style was spread to the mainstream by popular social media at the time, namely MySpace and Tumblr (rip). As fashion is cyclical, indie sleaze took heavy inspiration from vintage fashion styles from the 80s and 90s, incorporating leather and loud prints. The style is marked by leather jackets, thick eyeliner, skinny jeans, ripped fishnets,

GRAPHIC BY

bandtees, bedhead, and an overall grunge aesthetic. Unique to the style is its affordability and accessibility, with many of the pieces that make up the style being easily available at thrift stores.

The aesthetic was spearheaded by icons like Sky Ferreira and viral internet personalities like Cory Kennedy and Alexa Chung, adding to the style’s growing popularity. Shown in the name, music is also an essential part of the indie sleaze aesthetic, with artists like MGMT and The Killers finding immense popularity within the niche.

The fashion style embraced the messiness of post-recession A m e r i ca a n d e n c o u ra g e d individuality in the rebellious

youngsters of the time. The style was a celebration of fun and encapsulated how it feels to be young in an edgy, wonderful way.

Now, I am not telling you to completely ditch your current style; I am, however, encouraging you to embrace the whimsy and fun of indie sleaze and the 2010s as a whole. Go dye your hair a funky color, rummage through your closet for those old fishnets from your awkward 2020 alt era, and part your hair to the side! At the heart of the indie sleaze aesthetic is a push to embrace your inner wild child and the messy chaos of being young, so do what you’d like and look good doing it! •

TEN THINGS Drinks to warm you up this winter TOP TO DO IN 2026 Eliza Bowers-Shreve Contributor

When the weather gets colder and sweater season is upon us, we all need a tasty drink to cozy up with on the chilly winter mornings.

Comforting beverages are a staple in any household, especially when you want to relax with a warm drink and watch your favorite holiday special. It can be hard to think of simple, yet flavorful drinks to whip up quickly, which is why I have the perfect list of delicious morning beverages for you to choose from.

First is, in my opinion, the best winter drink: hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate is an effortless, warm and tasty drink, which is great for cold mornings when you're rushing out of the house. My favorite type is peppermint hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream; it always makes me excited for warm fires and the holidays, especially Christmas.

Technically, hot chocolate could be considered a tasty dessert, but who’s to say? Cozying up with a hot chocolate is THE definition of a heartwarming holiday season.

The second drink is an oldie but a goodie: coffee. Coffee is a classic, universal drink that’s easy to make and hard to mess up, especially if you're getting it at a cafe. One great quality about coffee is how easily customizable it is; just add a few simple flavorings, like vanilla or mocha, some milk and sugar, and you’ve got a perfect drink that fits

your preferences. Besides helping to wake you up on slow mornings before school, coffee also doesn’t actually stunt your growth!

Of course, coffee can be somewhat bitter, particularly for the people that favor a sweeter option, which is why chai may be an excellent option for you. Chai can be so many drinks, but it is

that matcha tastes like grass are completely false, if you ask me. I will admit that the drink can be bitter at times, but that’s irrelevant if you get it from the right place, or make it yourself and fit it to your desires. Matcha can be a nice break from the sweeter winter drinks, like hot chocolate, and it’s packed with ingredients that help sustain your immune system through the cold winter months. Like chai, it can also be turned into a latte if you like to be caffeinated, and you could definitely get away with putting additions in your matcha, like sweetener or cold foam, especially if you’re getting it at Starbucks.

Although matcha and chai are considered tea, tea is a generally soothing drink to warm up with when the weather gets chilly, and it deserves its own spot in this list. The greatest thing about tea is how versatile GRAPHIC BY AMINA BROWN it is; you can turn it into a latte, specifically a tea that’s often turned spice it up with some honey or into a latte. I, personally, like the latte by adding garnishes like fruit and rendition of this treat, but the tea is herbs, there’s almost too many a great choice if you prefer decaf. options! Also, not to be that person, As a chai connoisseur myself, I can but it’s incredibly beneficial to your also tell you how easy it is to make health. Tea keeps you hydrated, your own chai at home. I would comforts you when you’re sick, recommend getting a chai latte/ helps you sleep, and can reduce chai tea mix and just adding some the risk of chronic disease; plus, milk, but you could, of course, get it’s genuinely really good. So, if you the authentic tea bag and drink that need inspo for some cozy winter instead. Lots of shops sell chai lattes drinks to warm up with during by now, but I will say that nothing is the snowy season, then enjoy this quite like cozying up by the fireplace list. I'm sure they’ll comfort you as with your own homemade chai. much as a warm fireplace would. • Next, in honor of quarter zip season, is matcha. The rumours

Nati Pinilla Junior Editor

1.

Create fan art! (i.e. Cynthia and Ariana)

2.

Download your saved Tik-Toks in case of a ban

3.

Quit saying 67

4.

Get a job...

5.

Try to recover from Stranger Things S5

6.

Hold space for the graduating senior huzz

7.

Get back on Wattpad

8.

Take the song you always skip off your playlist

9.

Get a Onelife membership

10.

Delete Snapchat

HM:

Get your drivers license

El Beacon

ESPAÑOL

10

Tradiciones Navideñas en el Mundo Hispano Alex Garcia Colaborador

La Navidad en los países latinoamericanos es una época llena de tradiciones, música y momentos familiares muy especiales. En lugares como México y Colombia, las celebraciones empiezan varios días antes del 24 de diciembre con actividades como las posadas o el Día de las Velitas. En muchas casas también se arma el pesebre o el nacimiento, uno de los símbolos más importantes de estas fechas navideñas. Todo esto hace que la gente se sienta más unida y conectada con sus creencias y tradiciones.

En países como Venezuela, Puerto Rico y Perú, las familias mantienen costumbres que vienen de generación en generación.

Preparan comidas típicas como el pan de jamón, los pasteles puertorriqueños, las hallacas, los tamales, la ensalada de gallina, el pernil, y otros platos que nunca faltan en la cena de Nochebuena.

Además, se escuchan aguinaldos, villancicos, y parrandas que hablan del Niño Jesús, La Virgen María, San José, los Reyes Magos, la paz, la esperanza, la alegría, la prosperidad, la familia, y la comunidad. Aunque cada país celebra la navidad de diferentes maneras, todos comparten la idea de reunirse en familia, agradecer y celebrar ese momento especial del nacimiento de Jesús.

Aunque haya diferencias entre cada región, la Navidad en el mundo hispano siempre se vive con un espíritu muy festivo, y con alegría. Las reuniones familiares y los regalos sencillos recuerdan lo importante que es mantener la esperanza y no perder nuestras tradiciones, que pasan de generación en generación. El mensaje principal sigue siendo el mismo en todos los países, que es recordar el nacimiento del Niño Jesús y compartir alegría con los seres queridos que más amamos. •

JUEVES, 18 DE DICIEMBRE, 2025

Papa Noel versus los Reyes Magos Adrian Pinto Elvira Editor adjunto

Cuando llega diciembre, en España empiezan a mezclarse muchas tradiciones, y una de las más interesantes es la convivencia entre Santa Claus y los Reyes Magos. Aunque ambos personajes forman parte de la Navidad y se relacionan con los regalos, cada uno tiene su propia historia, costumbres y significado. Para muchos estudiantes, especialmente quienes tienen familia fuera de España, esta diferencia es algo que llama bastante la atención.

Santa Claus, o Papá Noel, viene de la figura de San Nicolás, un obispo conocido por ayudar a los niños hace muchos siglos.

Con el tiempo, sobre todo por la influencia de Estados Unidos y del cine, se convirtió en el personaje que todos conocemos: un señor vestido de rojo, con barba blanca, que viaja en un trineo tirado por renos. En la mayoría de los países, Santa trae los regalos durante la noche del 24 d e

diciembre, y los niños los encuentran debajo del árbol el día de Navidad.

En cambio, en España la tradición más fuerte es la de los Reyes Magos: Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar. Su origen viene del Evangelio de Mateo, donde se dice que estos tres sabios viajaron desde Oriente para llevarle regalos al niño Jesús. Aquí en España, los Reyes llegan la noche del 5 de enero, después de las famosas cabalgatas, que llenan las calles de música, luces y caramelos. Esa noche, muchos niños dejan agua para los camellos, galletas para los Reyes y, al despertar el 6 de enero, encuentran sus regalos.

Una de las diferencias más grandes entre Santa y los Reyes es el momento en el que llegan. Santa aparece al principio de las fiestas, mientras que los Reyes lo hacen justo al final, cuando ya casi toca volver a la rutina. Para

muchas familias españolas, el 6 de enero es incluso más importante que el 25 de diciembre.

Otra cosa interesante es que, en los últimos años, las dos tradiciones han empezado a combinarse.

En algunas familias, sobre todo cuando hay niños pequeños, se reciben regalos tanto en Navidad como en Reyes. Esto se debe a la influencia internacional de Santa, pero también a que así los niños pueden disfrutar de los regalos durante toda la Navidad. Aun así, los Reyes siguen siendo la tradición más especial para mucha gente.

En el fondo, tanto Santa Claus como los Reyes Magos buscan lo mismo: mantener la ilusión de la Navidad y transmitir el valor de compartir. Aunque cada familia celebra la Navidad a su manera, las dos figuras forman hoy parte de la identidad navideña de muchos jóvenes y niños en España. Y lo bonito es que no hace falta elegir: las dos tradiciones pueden convivir perfectamente. •

GRAPHIC BYCARYS GRAY

México gana Miss Universo Estefania Mora Colaboradora El primer certamen del Miss Universo tuvo lugar en Long Beach, California al principio de los años 50. Desde entonces, este marco el inicio de un evento que rápidamente ganó mucha popularidad y logró llegar a escenarios internacionales.

Cada año, cada país selecciona a su mejor candidata para que participe en el evento, y de ciento de candidatas a nivel internacional, esta es escogida por un equipo de jurado que evalúan la belleza física, el nivel de culturización al responder preguntas y el character que demuestran ante un gran escenario. La meta del jurado no solamente es buscar mujeres preciosas, sino que se enfocan en que esta tenga una combinación de todos estos elementos, y muestre la capacidad de inspirar y liderar a otros.

Aunque la historia del Miss Universo ha estado llena de polémicas y rumores, este año no fue la excepción, pero esta es la primera vez que una candidata que fue menospreciada públicamente gana el concurso. Por lo tanto, esto generó mucha controversia y generó un debate respecto a la transparencia del evento. A pesar de todo ello, la ganadora del Miss Universo no agacho su cabeza, en cambio, ella utilizó su triunfo para transmitir un mensaje de empoderamiento y resiliencia ante las injusticias.

Más allá, ella afirma que la corona no solamente significa un reconocimiento personal más, sino que se convirtió en una responsabilidad ante la sociedad, la cual representa la lucha por lograr inspirar a más mujeres a cumplir sus sueños y aspiraciones.

Su historia rápidamente se convirtió en un ejemplo de empoderamiento femenino, el cual no permitió que los obstáculos la dejaran en segundo plano. Ella decidió ser el personaje principal de su propia historia. •

La AFA cancela los vuelos hacia Venezuela la gente Adrian Pinto Elvira Editor adjunto

Hace poco, la Administración Federal de Aviación (AFA) anunció que todos los vuelos hacia Venezuela quedaban suspendidos. Esta noticia ha afectado a muchísimas personas, especialmente a quienes viajan para ver a su familia, estudiar o resolver trámites importantes.

Aunque suena a una decisión técnica, lo cierto es que tiene un impacto muy real en la vida diaria de muchas personas.

La AFA explicó que tomó esta medida por motivos de seguridad, afirmando que actualmente Ve n e z u e l a n o g a r a n t i z a condiciones suficientes para que los vuelos internacionales operen con normalidad. No dieron demasiados detalles, pero es algo

que ya venía pasando: varias aerolíneas habían reducido sus vuelos en los últimos años por problemas de infraestructura y por situaciones internas del país.

El cierre de las rutas ha generado bastantes problemas.

Muchos pasajeros tenían billetes comprados y ahora se han quedado sin vuelo, teniendo que buscar alternativas más complicadas y caras. La mayoría de las opciones pasan por viajar haciendo escalas en lugares como Panamá, República Dominicana o incluso España. Esto hace que el viaje sea más largo, más costoso y más estresante.

Las aerolíneas tampoco lo están pasando bien. Muchas estaban intentando retomar rutas hacia Venezuela porque la demanda había aumentado, pero ahora deben cancelar planes, devolver dinero y reorganizar

vuelos. Para ellas, esta suspensión significa pérdidas económicas y mucha incertidumbre.

Aunque la AFA aclaró que la suspensión es temporal, no dijeron cuánto durará ni cuándo se evaluará de nuevo la situación.

Eso deja a los viajeros sin saber qué hacer, porque no tienen una fecha aproximada para planificar futuros vuelos. Para familias separadas o personas que viajan por necesidad, esta falta de claridad es especialmente complicada.

Las reacciones han sido bastante distintas. Hay quienes apoyan la medida porque consideran que lo más importante es la seguridad aérea. Pero otros critican que, al final, quienes más sufren son los ciudadanos que dependen de estas rutas. Muchos estudiantes, trabajadores y familias se ven obligados a buscar

GRAPHIC BY CARYS GRAY

soluciones complicadas para poder viajar.

En resumen, la suspensión de los vuelos hacia Venezuela crea una situación difícil tanto para los viajeros como para las aerolíneas. A corto plazo, hay

más gastos y menos opciones para quienes necesitan viajar. A largo plazo, todo dependerá de cómo evolucione la situación en Venezuela y de si se pueden garantizar condiciones seguras para volver a volar normalmente. •

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 • THE BEACON

GAMES

11

BEACONNECTIONS

Make sure you have

Find groups of 4 that share something in common!

READ FURST before you do the

BREAD FURST

Jackson-Reebus holidays ANSWERS

Comet, Asteroid, Star, Planet (Celestial Bodies) Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph (Santa’s Reindeer) Cupid, Juno, Jupiter, Diana (Roman Gods) Dasher, Colony, Periodic, Commander (Words with punctuation inside of it)

Horoscopes

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

Aries- Siphsysis and his boulder have nothing on you and Instagram reels.

Taurus- A very large horse will show up at your door. The Greeks will tell you it is a gift. It isn’t.

Gemini- This season will bring some unexpected surprises. Be weary of new companionship as it might not be what it seems, as Remus learned from Romulus.

Cancer- Have a Sprite Cranberry!

Leo- Beware of letting your grandma outside on Christmas Eve, she might get run over by a chariot piloted by 12 angry Saracens after a night of worshipping Baccus.

Virgo- You will not have a single piece of homework over holiday break.

Libra- You’re on the naughty list this year smh...

Scorpio- You will have a confusing encounter under the mistletoe this year.

Sagittarius- Three unfortunate storms will wipe out your 400 war ships, 180,000 men, and 44 elephants during the upcoming fourth Punic War. Capricorn-Try something new this season. We suggest Mongolian throat singing or underwater basket weaving.

Aquarius- The new Trader Joes in Friendship Heights eagerly awaits your presence.

Pisces- Bundle up, a cold front is blowing through, but just for you.

CROSSWORD By Ben Holland ACROSS 1 “Dancing Queen” group 5 F1 driver 10 Leave out 14 Hot insult?

15 Wear down 16 Raises the stakes 17 Potter’s putty

18 Super stoked 19 Perched on 20 *What Anna wants to do with Elsa 23 “How ya ___?”

24 Montreal NHLer, to fans 25 *Survivalist’s

instruction in the Arctic 31 Scottish interjection 34 Birdlike 35 Soccer org. that runs the Champions League 36 Long.’s global partner

37 On target tosses 38 Pickpocket, e.g.

40 This clue, for example 41 “Girl, you ___!”

42 Out of bounds, in baseball 43 Fable writer 44 Sea, to a Parisian 45 Bobsledding and biathlon, eg., or what all the starred clues are 48 European college, for short 50 Cooking fat 51 *Cold-weather combat 57 The smaller version of this puzzle 58 “___ by land...”

59 Currency in Croatia 61 Sheepish ladies?

62 Common disinfectant 63 Like fine wine 64 Cautious 65 Try a little 66 Woodwind necessity DOWN 1 Easy as ___ 2 Light source 3 DC ___, local brewery 4 Brainstorming kickoff question 5 Bring up to speed 6 Designer of host uniforms for 45-Across 7 Police 8 Paradise

9 Try again 10 44th US President 11 Conversion of food to energy 12 “Psst! Pass ___!”

13 Baking measurement, abbr.

21 Let use temporarily 22 Exclamation of surprise 25 Sir’s counterpart 26 “Majority rules, let’s take ___” 27 Afghan novel read by Jackson-Reed 10th graders 28 Cheater’s feeling 29 “Do the Right Thing” director Spike 30 On’s opposite 32 Lake transport 33 Start of a url 38 You, in Montréal 39 Mulan’s rival 40 Braces’ nighttime buddy 42 Texted qualification 43 Farming prefix 46 Dancing Billy 47 Prize drawing 49 Loud 51 Famed JoJo 52 Nut’s companion 53 Taylor-Joy of “The Queen’s Gambit” 54 Lacking suffix 55 Ginormous 56 Home to Christmas ornaments 57 Looksmaxxing technique 60 Not even

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 • THE BEACON

KIDS IN THE HALL

What are you asking Santa for?

An A in AP Calc BC Kate Walter and Maya Goldman, 12

A sense of humor Paul Doyle and Ben Cinque, 9

Socks Chike Lynch-Huria, 12

My Snapchat storage back Nikolai Christianson, 11

50 grand Zayn Mufti, 11

Working eyes Maevyn Farrell, 9

A hoverboard Marc Scurry and Addy Ritter, 10

Prom in DC Leila Ackil and Zara Ackil, 12

More height Miles Heyman, 9

A new car Dylan Forester, 12

A new Wizards front office Will Tucker, 11

Free feminine products Henry Uhlendorf and Gabe Schon, 10