Volume 90 Issue 5

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School Vol. 91 No. 5

Thursday, February 12, 2026

www.jrbeacon.com

Shooting at Brown forces JR students join anti-ICE protests Eight DC high schools collaborate to plan a walkout on February 27 students to grapple with gun violence Clara Doyle Padget Bowers-Shreve Editor-in-Chief Style Editor

Last month, a mass shooter at Brown University killed two students and injured nine others.

In the wake of the tragedy, students across the country are being forced to grapple with the everyday realities of gun violence.

At Brown, the first shots were fired during an optional review session for an economics final exam. When the shooter entered the room, he fired 40 rounds, and the campus was sent almost immediately into a school-wide lockdown.

An anonymous Brown student who recently graduated from a local DC school said they were “in [their] friend’s room on lockdown for 16 hours, sleeping three people to a twin XL bed.”

School Without Walls Class of 2025 graduate and current Brown

first-year Maia Riggs said she had a similar experience—spending four hours on lockdown in a library before taking buses “to an athletic center that was heavily guarded and set up for hundreds of kids to shelter in.”

When the shooting occurred, Brown used its official campus alert system to send updates to all students and faculty members.

There seemed to be a pretty rapid response to what was going on,” Riggs told The Beacon, “and we were kept more or less in the loop.”

Jackson-Reed Class of 2024 graduate and current Brown sophomore Zach Bensky was in his dorm when he first heard about the shooting.

“I looked out the window of my dorm and saw two people lying on the ground, surrounded by about 10 bystanders who were caring for them,” Bensky said. He said the shooting hit close to home because he had been in the classroom where see GUNS on page 2

Greta Bradley-Meal Jessica McCallum Grace Harscheid Managing Editor Features Editor Sports Editor

Many Jackson-Reed students joined thousands of other Americans and high schoolers in protests last month, calling for a stop to violence committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The protests were in response to

the increase of ICE-related violence across the country in the past few months. Specifically, they were catalyzed by the killings of peaceful protestors Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the ensuing protests and shutdown in Minneapolis.

The DC protest, organized alongside over 300 other actions across all 50 states, was accompanied by a call for a general strike, urging people nationwide not to make any purchases, or attend work or school.

The event started in Chinatown

and was coordinated by the Party for Socialism and Liberation DC. Following several speakers— from students to DC teachers— protesters marched to the Capitol, where the Senate was debating a bill including a provision to keep ICE funded through the next two weeks.

Across town, Howard University students walked out of classes in protest of ICE, joining the march.

This is not the only event planned in response to ICE attacks.

Students from several DC high schools are planning a separate walkout later this month. The protest, which is scheduled for February 27, is being organized by a JR student, who asked to remain anonymous, alongside other DC students.

So far, seven schools have confirmed they will participate, including Jackson-Reed, Georgetown Visitation, MacArthur, Washington Latin, Georgetown Day School, National Cathedral School, St John’s and School Without Walls. Students at Banneker have expressed interest as well, according to the JR student

PHOTO BY SAM BENSKY

ICE OUT - Students march at a protest downtown last month in defiance of ICE.

see PROTEST on page 2

Inflammatory posts push back intramural basketball Season continues after controversy over team Instagram accounts Alice Patterson, Riley MacClellan, Willa Frillici, Idan Kumin, and James Fowlkes Every winter, students come together to compete in intramural basketball at lunch. This year’s league was paused right as it started because of contentious social media posts by teams.

The controversy began when about half of the 14 teams created

Instagram accounts to showcase each player and to log their records week by week. Many then began using AI to create and post altered images of players and famous figures, which were shared rampantly among students.

One AI image depicted Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA leader who was assassinated last year, with a Jackson-Reed logo “tattooed” on his arm. Another showed a

player superimposed on the island belonging to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The inflammatory posts drew attention from students and JR administrators, leading the Student Government Association (SGA), which coordinates the league, and the administration to pause the season shortly after it had started.

INTRAMURAL RIVALRIES - Gonzers player Angus Deboer goes for a layout at a recent game against the Baddie Ballers.

see B-BALL on page 14

PHOTO BY ALICE PATTERSON

JR Swim season delayed due to Trump's impact on education, one year in DCIAA administrative errors

FINALLY HERE - The Tiger Sharks get to have their first meet of PHOTO BY CLAIRE YODER the season following several cancellations.

Alice Patterson Eva Solomon Editor-in-Chief Opinions Editor

As the winter season for most JR sports comes to an end,

the swim team’s has barely begun.

The Tiger Sharks had four meets scheduled in December and January, and all were canceled

by DCIAA for opaque reasons that confused many swimmers and families.

Assistant Athletic Director

Nadira Ricks said that the school was prepared for swimmers to start their season on time but DCIAA canceled the first meets because they had not yet hired the proper officials to staff them.

A Januar y 14 meet was canceled with just two days n o t i c e. Th e D C I A A championship was scheduled for January 21, but the date passed with no competition. All DCPS schools with swim teams were affected, since all season meets and championships are against all other DCPS schools. An unofficial mock meet was held just for JR swimmers on January 23, but it did not count on JR’s record.

DCIAA communication see SWIM on page 14

Clara Doyle Noa Gordon Editors-in-Chief

January 20 marked one year of Trump’s second term. A year ago, The Beacon predicted what his policies would mean for the future of education. Now, the nation is reflecting on all that has changed and what the future may hold.

One of the first actions Trump took when he entered office was to declare war against critical race theory. He reversed a Biden era policy that protected LGBTQ+ students under Title IX, and signed an executive order threatening to keep federal funding from schools that practiced “gender ideology extremism” and “critical race

theory”.

The administration has also cut more than $1.5 billion in grants for training new teachers, which in many school systems meant the shutdown of programs that were graduating large numbers of new teachers of color.

Despite these actions, many at JR don’t feel the full effects of these new policies. Senior Maddie Woods said while she’s “been seeing lots of stuff in the news about it, [she hasn’t] really experienced it or felt the effects here.”

Trump has been targeting colleges and universities in particular, having sent letters to schools nationwide threatening to withhold funding for DEI initiatives. see TRUMP on page 5

The Beacon

NEWS

2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Crowded field vies to replace Bowser as DC mayor Greta Bradley-Meal Managing Editor

This summer will be the first mayoral election cycle to not include Muriel Bowser since 2014. In addition to bringing in many new candidates for office, this will be the first election that the class of 2026 will vote in.

In June, DC will host the first mayoral primary election and in November, the general election will take place, and DC will inaugurate a new mayor in January of 2027.

Of the 11 currently registered mayoral candidates, James McMorris, Rhonda Hamilton, Christopher Teague, and Muhsin Umar are Independents, Adrian Byrd, Robert Gross, Cody Birchfield, and Regan Jones are Democrats, Esa Muhammed and Myrtle Alexander are Republicans and Da’Moni Ivey is a member of another party.

As one of two Republican candidates, Myrtle Alexander remains a lesser known candidate thus far. According to her campaign platform, the major focuses of her campaign

PROTEST from page 1

organizer.

Yeselyn Iraheta, one of the protest leaders at School Without Walls, emphasized that “coming together in one place shows how powerful we are as a student body.”

Student groups all over the city have been galvanized to stand up against the increase in ICE activity in the District and around the country.

JR senior Sage Deora, who attended the first march, on January 30, with friends, said she was struck by the breadth of the protest. She said that “people weren’t talking about one thing; it was centered around ICE but people were talking about Gaza and the DC police, and lots of other things.”

Speakers at the rally included a leader of the Washington Teachers Union, a student organizer from the George Washington University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, and a local immigration attorney.

Their speeches ranged from calls for the abolition of ICE to condemnations of the Democratic

are to “bring back the Bible,” “cancel crime” and “harness homelessness” as well as focusing on “traditional families.” As of yet, she has made no comments on recent Trump actions or those of Mayor Bowser, though she did run for US House Non-Voting Representative in 2024.

Additionally, recent council members Kenyan McDuffie, who served as an Independent before stepping down in January, and Democrat Janeese Lewis George have announced their candidacy, as has local developer Gary Goodweather. They have not, however, officially registered their campaigns.

Northeast DC native McDuffie recently announced that he will step down from his council seat and register as a Democrat to participate in the primaries this June.

Long considered a close ally of Mayor Bowser, his goals include business “growth with guardrails” and a focus on affordability for DC residents. As the former chair of the council’s business committee, he emphasizes bringing large and small businesses to the city.

Mayor Bowser has suggested

she will back McDuffie’s mayoral candidacy, though he has widely criticized her cooperation with President Trump. In reference to Boweser’s policy of allowing MPD officers to cooperate with ICE across the city, McDuffie has said, “It’s got to end.”

Current Wa rd 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, who describes herself as a Democratic Socialist, represents a more progressive direction for the DC Democratic party. Lewis George appears to be playing on frustrations over Bowser's cooperation with the Trump administration and the recent New York mayoral election.

In recent years, she has champione d the council’s progressive faction, championing a bill to guarantee a full-time librarian at every DCPS school, as well as voting against the recent DC youth curfew.

She does align with Bowser and McDuffie on some issues, including affordable housing and the controversial multibillion dollar deal bringing the Commanders back to RFK stadium.

Based on their previous

Party for failing to take a strong enough stance against the Trump administration. Speakers also discussed the connection between American imperialism abroad and recent ICE actions, calling for intersectional responses to current issues.

Sophie Flaherty, another JR senior who attended the protest, said the rhetoric “was weirdly socialist. I don’t know how I feel about that. A bit much about socialism and not enough about ICE.” Several other Jackson-Reed students said they were motivated to join the protests, even if they wouldn’t typically be drawn to do so.

Junior Maren Devereaux said this was her first protest, but that she was motivated by her outrage “with what we’re allowing to happen in our country today.” She said she “felt especially moved to participate after the general strike in Minneapolis.”

On January 23 tens of thousands of workers in Minneapolis, according to protest organizers, called out of their jobs, refrained from making purchases, and headed to rallies to protest ICE presence in their city.

Many businesses in Minneapolis closed in solidarity as well.

Devereaux also said that

the protest left her feeling “really hopeful,” seeing the action as proof of DC’s passion for making change.

Deora added that “it was a wonderful experience” in all.

Other Jackson-Reed students refrained from attending the protest out of concerns for their safety.

One senior who requested not to be named said she thought it was “amazing that people all around the world have come together to stand with Minnesota,” but that her mother “was worried that with the increased surveillance going on it could be dangerous.” She added that even though everyone in her family is a U.S. citizen, she has family members who are immigrants and she doesn’t trust the “uncertainties in the country.”

Two Jackson-Reed social studies teachers, Eduardo Canedo and Michele Bollinger, joined the protest as well. Canedo echoed students’ descriptions, calling recent news about ICE “outrageous.”

He said that as a DC resident he felt it was especially important to join the protest. “As the nation’s capital, DC has special prominence and symbolic value,” he said, “so it’s important that people show out for it.”

Bollinger mentioned the importance of protesting outside the Capitol specifically. “It’s our money,” she said. “They are an unaccountable agency that acts with impunity, and they’re using our money. There should not be any institution that’s fundamentally unaccountable in a democracy.”

Both teachers added that they had discussed ICE or the protest with students in their classes because of concerns over recent events. “A lot of the young people who I’m around, including here at Jackson-Reed, are asking the right questions,” Bollinger said. “I’m proud of that.”•

STANDING UP, FIGHTING BACK - Students create posters and PHOTO BY CLARA DOYLE attend rally against ICE

legislative experience, broad public support and campaign finance, ex-Councilmember McDuffie and current Councilmember Lewis George will likely be the frontrunners in the June Democratic Primary which is open only to registered

members of the party. In the general election in November, open to all DC registered voters of age, they will face the winner of the Republican primary as well as Independent candidates, who do not have primaries. •

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYOR BOWSER'S OFFICE

BYE BOWSER - Mayor Bowser steps down after over 10 years in office. Several candidates are now running to replace her.

GUNS from page 1

the shooting occurred less than 12 hours earlier.

While the Brown shooting received nationwide media attention, it was hardly the only mass shooting in recent years.

According to CNN, in 2025, there were at least 77 school shootings - at both K-12 schools and universities - with 32 people killed and 121 injured. In December, a shooting at Kentucky State University left one student dead and another critically injured. Last April, another shooting at Florida State University led to two students dead and six wounded.

The anonymous Brown student told The Beacon that “after other shootings, I remember hearing students say ‘we always hear it happening to others, but we never thought it would happen to us’ but it’s getting to the point where someone can’t make that assumption anymore.”

In reaction to the shooting, Brown and other schools in the area enhanced security across campus, adding security staff, requiring key card access to all buildings, and expanding security cameras and panic buttons in critical locations.

Bensky said he hopes that “all schools conduct drills and training to prepare students in case something like this ever happens again” as schools need to “prepare for any eventuality.” He believes that these new protocols “should be standard practice.”

Riggs agreed, saying “colleges and schools should absolutely up their security, get more cameras, and improve their response systems,” But she also emphasized that “the root of this problem is

much deeper, and that alone can not solve the problem.”

At Jackson-Reed, there are periodic active shooter drills and shelter in place drills to prepare students in case of an active shooter at or around the premises. “I hope students will take these drills seriously and take this knowledge with them wherever they go,” Social Studies teacher Robert Geremia said.

Bensky credited those skills with helping shape his response.

He said that he’s talked with other students “who also relied on their lockdown training.” Riggs also said the drills helped her know how to respond. But, she added, “nothing can quite prepare you for the visceral fear you feel when something so unimaginable is actively happening to you.”

Student reactions at JR reflected the uncertainty and fear that gun violence imposes on students around the country.

Junior Paulina Afronsky said that “you can’t be so confident it won’t happen at your own school.”

Senior Isaak Greiff agreed, saying, “at this point a lot of people are desensitized to the information which makes everything a little more alarming.”

While many community members have been impacted by gun violence outside of school, school shootings remain a lingering distraction for all that prevents students from feeling safe and secure in their learning environment. ”Gun violence might not directly impact my daily life,” Afronsky said, “but it’s always in the background lurking.” Greiff echoed that, “it shifts school from a place where I’m only learning into a place where I’m also expected to be prepared for a possible shooting,” he said. •

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

3

NEWS

Tickets for JR sporting events go JR reacts to U.S. digital with new GoFan platform actions in Venezuela Tessa Frantz Section Copy Editor

Recently a new policy was enacted for all Jackson-Reed athletic events which transitioned ticket sales to an online platform, completely replacing paper tickets.

Along with the platform, there are new rules that separate fan sections, limit allowed spectators, and ban the re-entry of spectators.

This new policy has prompted mixed reactions from students and athletes.

The use of GoFan Digital Ticketing has created annoyances for some students. Junior Julia Khoury attended a basketball game recently and believes that, “as annoying as it is to carry cash to the games, it’s much more complicated to have to buy [tickets] online.”

She also says that the website for scanning tickets has some problems, noting that in order to scan a p r e purchased ticket, “you have to click a button that says ‘use now,’ but it can’t be clicked until you’re at security about to go in.”

This has made the lines to get through security and into the games significantly slower, creating some difficulties for entry.

By contrast, sophomore Abby Gilbert who attended a basketball game did not have any problems getting in. She did not purchase her ticket beforehand, but when she arrived at the game, she “just used ApplePay to pay for a ticket at the door.” For her, the process was easy and efficient.

This use of online ticket purchasing has made it harder for some people to get to the games, according to Varsity Girls basketball player Sarah Mesikir. She says that since the establishment of the

online ticket system, she’s “noticed a change in the stands.”

Before the policy, she says “there used to be a lot of people but there are less now that tickets have to be bought online.” She thinks that people are more likely to come if paying in cash because it’s much more convenient and most people carry it around.

To purchase tickets, spectators c a n

GRAPHIC BY ESME NOORUDIN

download the GoFan app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or visit GoFan.co.

On the front page of the website, there is a place to search for a school name, and when a student clicks on “Jackson-Reed High School” a schedule of upcoming sports events appears. Here, it tells users where and when the games are, who Jackson-Reed is playing, and gives a link to purchase tickets.

Tickets are nonrefundable, but they can be transferred to other people.

With this new policy, your phone is your ticket, meaning spectators do not have to carry cash or a paper ticket with them for entry into games.

In addition to the digital

ticketing platform, this new policy brings other rules too. Spectators allowed into games have been limited, with only adults or students with adult chaperones being permitted entrance to sporting events.

Each chaperone may only accompany three students and they must sit near the students. Re-entry to games is also now prohibited;

once a spectator leaves, they will not be let back in, and no entry is allowed after the third quarter.

Furthermore, separate fan sections have been created, assigning the fans of home and away teams to separate, clearly marked areas. When purchasing tickets on GoFan, students are notified of these policies.

These new policies are required by DCIAA, the sports league administered by DCPS athletics, so every DC public school shares these rules. Many of these same rules were enacted during the high school football season in the fall.

With DCIAA’s announcement of this policy, it was said that those rules will continue to be enforced while the new digital ticket policy takes action.

The use of GoFan for DCIAA sporting events is still very new as well as the use of Digital Ticketing platforms for high school games, which allows space for improvement as the usage continues. •

Peyton Shum Avani Patel Opinions Editor Features Editor

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the United States in what President Donald Trump described as a “largescale strike against Venezuela.”

This action was met with mixed reactions both domestically and internationally.

A long-standing ally of Venezuela, Cuba, resisted the US invasion as well, and 32 Cubans were killed. The New York Times reported that this was “the riskiest US Military operation of its kind since [the killing of] Osama bin Laden in 2011.”

The legality of Trump’s actions have been questioned, as he did not seek congressional approval before starting the operation.

However, many groups have expressed praise for Trump’s actions, stating Maduro eroded human rights guaranteed in their constitution and enabled the government to intimidate, censor, and prosecute its critics.

Since Maduro is in US custody, Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez became the acting president. She has condemned the actions taken by the US to “kidnap” Maduro and Flores and has called for their immediate return home.

The United Nations (UN) held an emergency session on Trump’s capture of Maduro on January 5.

Many countries, including US allies, condemned the capture.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated the US had violated the UN charter. China condemned the action as well, demanding that the US “cease its bullying and coercive practices.”

This was the third meeting regarding relations between the US and Venezuela recently. Some countries have backed Trump’s actions, both at the UN and on social media, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

posting “Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump for your bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice. I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers.”

Even with differing opinions, most countries push for a democratic vote in Venezuela to determine the next steps forward.

Similar to countries in the UN, the JR community has differing opinions. An anonymous Venezuelan junior said that deposing Maduro was a good thing, but it is a pathway to power for the United States. He added that it was wise they didn’t overthrow the whole government, as it would have led to instability.

Another Venezuelan, however, disagreed, explaining that “Maduro has emphasized continuity in social programs that aim to support health care, education, and food access for disadvantaged communities.”

An anonymous sophomore added that “the measures that were taken were far too extreme” and kidnapping a leader of another country puts Trump on the same level as Maduro, who many consider a dictator. An anonymous freshman added that Trump “took it upon himself to go to Venezuela, when there are enough problems in our own country.”

Trump’s capture of Maduro has raised student concerns about Trump’s general overreach of executive power, both domestically and internationally.

Voices internationally have questioned what Trump will do next. Since the start of his second term, Trump has threatened to take Greenland, for its prime location in the Arctic and its untapped resources, stating “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

While Denmark and many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have pushed back against this, with some even sending troops to Greenland, Trump’s next actions remain unclear. •

Virginia law cracks down on teen usage of social media Alex Rogers Junior Editor

Virginia recently passed a law requiring social media platforms to limit usage for those under 16 to one hour a day. The law is designed to address growing concerns about teen mental health, attention spans, exposure to inappropriate content, and phone addiction related to social media usage.

As the new year begins, lawmakers across the country are taking steps to change how teenagers use social media. While DC has not started to enforce screen time limits, nearby states and other countries are creating new laws that restrict teens' use of social media.

Many students admit to spending far more time on social media than the proposed Virginia limit. “I spend around three

hours a day on social media,” said freshman Kalyan Patel. That amount of time can have negative effects on teens' mental health. “I know I’ve started to compare my life to others, and I realize that's bad because social media is just a highlight reel of people's lives,” Patel added.

Supporters of the law argue that setting limits can protect teens from the effects of constant screen time, reflecting an international trend with many countries, including Australia and Britain, implementing restrictions on social media. ​O ne unique feature of the law allows parents to adjust the one-hour limit based on what they believe is best for their child, giving families more control over how social media impacts their child's life. Similar to child controls and time limits that can be set by parents that are often enforced on

teens' phones.

However, questions remain about how the law will be enforced, as social media companies will be required to verify that users are over the age of 16 by using “commercially reasonable methods.” If they are not, the platform must be restricted to one hour a day.

Lying about your age online is notoriously easy, and many already do it. “ I already do it, every platform I’m on thinks I’m 23,” said JR sophomore Kathy Mew. This reality makes students and senators alike skeptical that the law will be able to achieve its goals. With advocate of the law Virginia senator Schuyler VanValkenburg responding to criticism of the bill, saying , “ it’s really important to say that the perfect shouldn't be the enemy of the good, and that by setting a

new default, we are going to have a majority of young people who are

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

at this one hour.”

Despite these concerns, many believe that the law could have a

positive impact. Kathy said, “I think it will cause less doom scrolling, but I feel it like could destroy some online communities.” With an anonymous student adding, “Initially, I believe people are bound to be very upset, but I think they’ll get over it and see a positive effect.” Showing that while teens will likely at first resist the changes, there will be long-term benefits. ​Although D.C. does not currently have a law limiting teen screen time, these changes in Virginia and abroad could influence future discussions in the DC. For years, social media has been a part of teens’ daily lives worldwide, and with growing research about its potential negative effects on mental health, lawmakers are taking notice. •

The Beacon

FEATURES

4

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Whole Foods hot bar: Seven tips to get you to Spring pricey but worth it Caroline Wilding Junior Editor

Peyton Shum Jordana Sloane Opinions Editor News Editor

With only 45 minutes for lunch, making the most of your off-campus time is important. Let’s ignore the “where’s the best lunch spot” debate and just agree: it’s Whole Foods. So here's our guide to getting through the Whole Foods quickly, if not cheaply.

First, make a beeline for the hot bar in the back, making sure to stop by the cheese and dessert samples for a free tasty snack. Upon arriving at the hot bar, grab a small brown box and start your culinary exploration.

Start with a base layer of cilantro lime rice (or salad depending on how healthy you’re feeling). The first thing we discovered at the hot bar: the rice is simply a staple no matter what meal you’re having. It ties together any meal.

Next, add protein. Our star studded go-tos include the chicken tenders, butter chicken, and chimichurri pork carnitas. The chicken tenders are crispy and warm, always a hit. If you’re trying to save your wallet, be sure to pick small ones. The butter chicken is flavorful but not too spicy, so it is perfect for those of you with a low spice tolerance. Finally, the chimichurri pork carnitas are the best thing to ever grace our taste buds. They are so tender and the

sauce is so good. Life hack one: use the chimichurri sauce on your chicken tenders to level up the flavor.

Lastly, grab some extras to round out your plate. The cucumber sesame noodles are a great palate cleanser and add a couple of vegetables to your meal. If you need even more vegetables, the broccoli is perfectly inoffensive. We would like to call out Whole Foods for taking away one of the hot food bars to add wine and cooked turkeys. We beg them to bring back our perfect caprese salad with sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil.

We cry every day that it’s gone.

As you leave to pay, hope and pray it won’t be too expensive. Life hack two: pick up a half pound bag of cheese and compare the weight to get a rough estimate of your price.

Lastly, grab some forks before heading upstairs to fight for a table.

You might need to steal chairs from people innocently enjoying their lunch, unprepared for the mass of high schoolers that are about to appear. Life hack three: have any friends that did not buy food eat under the table to avoid the attention of the Whole Foods guard who roams and tells people to leave. He seems scary but if he can’t see you eating outside food then he can’t tell you to leave (foolproof!)

On the way out, you can grab some more samples or a can of coffee to get you through the rest of the day. However, even without caffeine, Whole Foods lights up our life like no coffee could.•

It’s February, which means we’ve officially entered arguably the most boring and burnt-out stretch of school. From now until midApril, students’ lives are bound to be ridden with worksheets, studying, and endless tests. It’s easy to get exhausted, but it’s also important to have fun, so here are a few things you can do to bring some life into these dreaded months.

1. Dedicate time to hang out with friends.

Even if it’s just for an hour, spending time with friends is something we forget to do when loaded down with work but is arguably the best way to pick yourself up off the ground. Finding a time that works for everyone is hard, but you’ll be so glad you made the effort once you’re all laughing together for the first time all week.

2. Make a new playlist.

Music can set the vibe for our days, and right now we need as much motivation as possible. Put together a list of upbeat songs to keep you going until at least March.

Give it a witty name and play it 24/7 because at this point that’s how often we need encouragement to actually do work. Just because you feel like giving up doesn’t mean your music has to reflect that, so add as many 2000s hits as you can.

3.Get your act together and go skiing or snowboarding.

There’s a ton of local mountains in Pennsylvania that

are great for a little daytrip. Once you’re out on the snow you won’t be thinking about how many more days you have until the next break, instead you’ll just be focusing on the fun you’re having in the moment.

Bonus points if you find a way to go after school, and double that if you bring some friends. Your day will 100 percent be on a whole new level.

4. Watch a new show.

Not a rewatch of your favorite, but find something

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

new to captivate your attention!

It doesn’t have to be a twelve season hit, it can be a short, lowcommitment series, but just seeing something new is a great way to mix up the repetitive days.

After hours of studying and doing homework, watch an episode or two to wind down. You’ll have something to look forward to after a long day, can end the night stress free, and there’ll always be something waiting for you that’s not a mountain of work.

5. Write down one good thing that happened each day.

These months are full of negativity, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Take one minute each night to acknowledge something that made you happy and remember that even bad days have good moments. It doesn’t take much time, is low-effort, and will force you to feel joy if there’s not much else to elicit that particular emotion.

6. If it snows again, spam DCPS about how you “fell on ice” and pray we get more snow days.

Grab a friend to take a picture of you and your “broken arm” toppled over on the one patch of ice in your neighborhood and just keep DMing their Instagram page until they respond. Even if they don’t, at least you know you were a real one and tried to save our souls from yet another grueling day.

7. Bring back February break, even if just for yourself.

Go MIA for a random week in February. Forget school exists, then tell anyone who asks that there was a death in the family. No one’s going to judge you, if anything they’ll be jealous that you got some well-deserved rest while they were toiling away at school. In fact, we should collectively agree to take the same week off so when we come back we can all feel communal misery.

Yes, this stretch of school is infamously one of the worst, but there are tons of ways to inject some excitement into your weeks.

If you're struggling with piles of work, try out some of these ideas and I guarantee you'll feel better •

How the U.S. is celebrating its 250th Elective course stars Joao Braga Junior Editor

At a time of historical political polarization, many saw America’s 250th anniversary as a unique opportunity to celebrate the things that bring us together rather than what sets us apart. However, President Trump’s announcement of a UFC fight on the White House lawn and other similarly divisive events have instead led to further schisms.

Announced early in Trump's presidency, the UFC event has elicited mixed reactions. This seemingly odd announcement follows Trump’s long standing relationship with the UFC CEO, Dana White, dating back to 2001 when he hosted two UFC events in his casino, at a time when UFC was banned in over 36 states.

With a 5,000 person limit, the audience is expected to be mostly made up of high-profile figures such as tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, leaving many hardcore UFC fans feeling sidelined. To try to compensate for this, the UFC will host an 85,000 person watch party on the Ellipse, the park across the street from the White House.

The logistics behind the event have been equally contentious with UFC CEO White, revealing that it will cost over $700,000 to prepare the south lawn.

The event will be held on President Trump’s

second weekend of June for over a decade, has been rescheduled.

On the same note, President Trump has announced the Patriot Games, which he describes as a “four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes, one young man and one young woman, from each state and territory.”

A lack of information over athlete selection, or even a date, has led to mockery by critics, with California Governor Gavin Newsom sharing a clip of The Hunger Games’ President Snow, comparing it to Trump’s announcement of the games.

From $700,000 lawn replacements to Hunger Games’ comparisons, it is fair to say that America’s semiquincentennial marks a shift from nonpartisan celebrations of national unity to a

GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE

commercialized sp e c t a cl e, f u n d e d b y a combination of taxpayer money and generous donations from America’s elites. For better or worse, one thing is for sure: America’s 250th anniversary will be one to remember. •

birthday, June 14th, conflicting with the original date of the G7 Summit, which has been postponed to ensure Trump’s attendance.

The Capital Pride Parade, which has been held on the

Eva Solomon Opinions Editor

No matter what grade you’re in at Jackson-Reed, I can guarantee that you’ve taken an elective course. While some classes may feel like a waste of time with endless busy work, there are also some essential and engaging classes. To those of you who are not-seniors, I sincerely hope you consider my suggestions when you complete your course selections for next year.

Film Studies: A true crowd pleaser, basically everyone I know has LOVED this class. Starting this year, there has been a continuation of the class added to the elective options, so if you enjoyed Film Studies I, sign up for Film Studies II. Multi-Cultural Literature: If you are looking to take a rigorous and interesting semester class, multi-cultural literature (frequently referred to as multiculti) is a great class to take. It certainly makes you read a lot, so be prepared (especially if you have other strenuous courses), but it opened my eyes to different types of books.

Piano Lab: Taking piano lab was a blessing in disguise last year.

Instead of having to sing in front of the entire class, like in Music Theory, Piano Lab involved getting

to class, learning chords, and doing the assignment, then having free time to study for other classes.

Imaging A: If you have an art credit to fill, take Imaging A. It involves a mix of photography and online editing that taught me a lot about what makes a good photo.

You learn how to take a photo with an actual camera (not just your phone), and as someone who’s not the best artist, it was a great art option that focused on skills besides drawing and painting.

Women’s History: While I haven’t taken this course, it’s loved by many, and I plan to take it next year. Women’s history is not often discussed in the usual history classes at Jackson-Reed, but friends of mine have said they’ve learned a great deal about themselves and their backgrounds through this class.

Printmaking: While this is a full-year elective, I think it’s a necessary class to take. You make really cool projects and have a lot of control over your own art.

All in all, some electives are meant to be a source of relaxation, and I definitely recommend taking them if you are drowning in APs! While you aren’t forced to be enrolled in any of these classes, if you have a free period or open space in your schedule, these are great classes to take. •

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

FEATURES

5

Ms. Malik: Jackson-Reed’s newest social studies teacher Orly Jossen Junior Editor

Neha Malik, Jackson-Reed’s newest social studies teacher, never thought she’d end up teaching at a high school.

A lifelong resident of the area, Malik was “raised across every letter of the DMV.” She was born in Takoma Park, Maryland before moving to the suburbs of Baltimore. Then she moved to Virginia for high school before coming to DC about six years ago for undergrad at Georgetown University. At school, she studied International Relations and Political Science, with a focus on Culture and Politics, which she described as a “special interests” of hers.

After graduating, Malik was employed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). There she worked on global sustainable development and global education projects, reflecting her belief that education “is a tool that has transformed societies for the better.”

Although she played a more administrative role in the organization, she says, “I got to sit in on a lot of really cool meetings, do a lot of really cool research on how to create sustainable education financing systems in areas that are in conflict zones, post-

conflict zones, or have just been historically underdeveloped and exploited.”

Her specific areas of research were in Sub-Saharan Africa, Iraq, and Latin America, where she worked with banks to reduce interest rates and expand financing for things like classroom equipment, school buses, scholarships and microfinance loans. But she said that early in 2025, “It all came crashing down overnight.”

The fact that she expected to be fired didn’t make the transition any less hard. Malik described her reaction to hearing the news about USAID as her “quarter life crisis.”

She explained that being fired “was really surprising and lonely” but that she “p i v o te d to e d u ca t i o n because that's what [her] background was in.” Malik says she is “grateful because [teaching] is way more fulfilling than sitting in front of a laptop every day.” She adds that she feels she has more impact in the classroom.

So, after a quick stint as an ELA teacher at HD Woodson, completing the 24-25 school

year there, Malik was hired as a social studies teacher at JR at the start of this year.

Currently, Malik teaches World History II, Middle Eastern Studies, and Latin American Studies. She says she likes teaching classes with more specific subject matter because

she really likes “the opportunity to nerd out and get paid for it!” She also says she appreciates the opportunity to “exchange knowledge and really continue to create that knowledge.”

Malik also likes teaching

A day at the help desk TRUMP Joao Braga Junior Editor

It’s Monday morning, and right before your midterm starts. you notice your computer won’t turn on. Suddenly, you're hit by a wave of despair.

How could your computer decide to stop working right before one of the most important tests of the year? Fortunately, before you start freaking out, you remember the desk with green umbrellas that sits in a corner of the atrium surrounded by palm trees with a small sign: the help desk.

As the use of computers in class becomes the new norm, JacksonReed, with about 2,000 students and 140 teachers, has been forced to deal with a whole new range of issues that can’t just be solved by turning the computer off and on again.

That’s where the Help Desk comes in. Responsible for dealing with any of the school’s tech issues, the Help Desk has about 24 interns working throughout the day under the supervision of Technology In st r u c t i o n a l Coa ch Dav i d Thompson.

So, to get a better understanding of the job, I asked a few interns working there about what their typical work day looks like. “We do more than just working with laptops; a lot of the major issues in the school are solved by us,” said Senior Leila Ackil, who’s been working at the help desk since last summer.

“We distribute Yondr pouches, we organize backrooms and offices, we deliver supplies to teachers, and even do landscaping sometimes,” Ackil continued.

When Thompson founded the Help Desk in the fall of 2022, his goal was to make sure that technology remains a tool for learning, not an obstacle.

“We want technology to be invisible within the school,” he said.

“So the quicker we can address issues, the better for everybody.” Thompson attributed a lot of the Help Desk’s success to the communication and teamwork of the interns, later saying that “there’s no way for the help desk to work without the dedicated students sitting behind it.”

Although interns handle most of the day-to-day problems, every once in a while a student will bring computers in “less than ideal” conditions, with missing keys and broken screens being the most common examples.

In those situations, interns send the computers to OCTO, the people contracted by DCPS to maintain technology infrastructure, who work behind the scenes fixing and repairing these computers to be later reassigned to students.

While many of the issues can be solved with quick fixes, others are a little more unique. There was an instance when interns had to fix a computer that was covered in such a thick layer of Cheetos dust that the keys got stuck under a thick orange crust, and the screen had so many smudges that it required a thorough cleaning before they could even try fixing it.

So next time you walk past those green umbrellas in the atrium, remember the dedicated interns working to make sure that no matter the issue, you’re gonna be up and running in no time. •

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schools nationwide threatening to withhold funding for DEI initiatives. This policy has the potential to be solidified on a national level; the Supreme Court is hearing a case that could potentially ban transgender females from competing on female teams.

In the summer of 2025, the Trump administration forced former UVA President Jim Ryan to step down. It was the first time in American history that federal officials explicitly tied federal funding to the resignation of a university President due to their university initiatives.

Social Studies teacher Amy Collins said that she is “growing continuously concerned about what academic integrity looks like because of the revisionist history and the shifting of education ‘curriculum’ that the administration is promoting.”

These changes have sparked concerns amongst seniors who are planning to go to college and are faced with the reality of a higher education system reshaped by Trump’s policies.

Senior Will Nichols said “I hate [the new policies] and they’ve pushed me to go to Europe.”

However, the actions of the administration have been making his plans harder as he’s “been trying to get a visa for three months and still haven’t gotten it.”

Senior Benjamin O’Toole echoed a similar sentiment saying, “it makes me concerned for certain new programs like environmental science and policy not getting

students from different backgrounds who “have connections to the areas and regions” she is teaching. “So I'm excited to learn from them and also share my framework and analysis that I've been able to gain through my education,” she explains.

Through classroom discussions, Malik and her students develop paths of inquiry and explore topics they’re unfamiliar with.

Malik emphasizes that she wants her students to be comfortable a s k i n g questions and being curious within the school community.

Another core tenant of her teaching philosophy is seeking truth. There are often many versions of the truth within history, but Malik considers finding truth as a “collective project.”

She says, “by focusing on the facts and personal experiences, we're able to kind of develop an image of what truth might look like.” Malik says she strives to highlight the human element of the matters she teaches and makes sure that her students

are always holding that first and foremost.

She also focuses on students examining things through the lens of facts and international law since she comes from an international relations background. She focuses on what is mandated by organizations like the UN, as well as how events across the world connect to our own history.

Malik is excite d about her time at JR, stating that she can’t wait to explore different constitutional frameworks and have her students develop sustainable grassroots projects in her Latin American studies class. She says she is curious about the various Jackson-Reed clubs and hopes to attend some Tiger sports games soon.

We live in a diverse and globalized world where everything is interconnected, and Malik stresses the significance of understanding our multicultural country.

She points to her own experience as evidence for the importance of studying the world: “I lost my job. I had to move…I almost lost where I was living. But I never lost my knowledge. And that is something that can't be taken away from me.” •

enough funding at the school im going to because its liberal arts.”

For seniors still on the fence about college, changes in higher ed policy are playing a roll in where they are planning to go to college.

Woods emphasized that “I’m considering it when thinking about college because I want a place that will emphasize my values and support all students, but it won’t be a deciding factor.”

Perhaps the most prevalent action that the Trump administration took against DEI efforts was at the collegiate level.

Trump cancelled millions of federal research dollars and sent a letter to several top research institutions demanding they agree to denounce DEI - which many refused to sign.

Levenson said, “hearing the stories about colleges getting their funding cut, I don’t know what that’s actually going to mean for students on these campuses.”

While Trump’s efforts against DEI are much more well known, the President has also taken actions to change loan forgiveness plans.

Trump recently introduced a new loan payment plan, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which will replace the previous Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan under Biden.

The changes will go into place this July and require 30 years of repayment, instead of 20 or 25 under previous plans. The Institute for College Access and Success found that a family of two adults and two children earning the medium US household income of $81,000 will pay $440 a month under the RAP plan, when they would have only paid $36 on the SAVE plan.

Additionally, The Trump

administration has slashed the Department of Education’s budget, and is now less than half the size it was a year ago, inciting fear that students at Jackson-Reed will be impacted. Budget cuts hit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which could impact seniors applying for financial aid for college.

Collins emphasized this saying she is worried about “what does support financially look like for college” under this administration.

However, College and Career Center Coordinator Elizabeth Levenson said that “it seems like students are able to complete the FAFSA and those are getting processed.”

Woods said completing the FAFSA “was easy enough, overall I feel like it’s a pretty complicated system and so it didn’t feel worse than what I’ve heard.”

Levenson said that the only change is that she no longer has access to a database that allows her to see who has completed the FAFSA and who hasn’t, and thus “can’t reach out to the students who haven’t and support them.”

However, she says it may not be because of policy but instead because of the shutdown and many staff cuts at the Department of Education.

Levenson pointed out that, despite the uncertainty, seniors and those preparing for college should “just try to move forward and make the best decisions you can with the information you have.”

While Trump’s full plans to reshape the American education have yet to take place, even in the first year of his second term, a lot has shifted for K-12 schools and universities. •

PHOTO BY ORLY JOSSEN

FEATURES

6

THE BEACON • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

New statue unveiled A recap of Bowser's time in office of Barbra Rose Johns Orly Jossen Junior Editor

Avani Patel Features Editor

When most people think of history makers, they picture adults in powerful positions, but change can start from just one student wanting to make the world better.

Barbara Rose Johns is one of those students. Late last year, the US Capitol unveiled a statue in her honor, celebrating her courage and the difference one young person can make.

Barbara Rose Johns (later Powell) was born on March 6, 1935 in New York City as the eldest of five children before moving with her family to Virginia. She was the niece of Vernon Johns, an outspoken civil rights activist, who inspired Johns and her siblings to study Black history.

On April 23, 1951, 16-yearold Johns, then a junior at Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, gathered all 450 of her classmates in the auditorium and convinced them to walk out in protest of their school's conditions, such as overcrowded classes, crumbling ceilings, and not enough chairs and desks for the students. She wanted to campaign for a new building.

The strike lasted roughly two weeks and caught the attention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

On April 25, 1951, Oliver W. Hill and Spottswood Robinson, lawyers for the NAACP, arrived in Prince Edward County to help

the students of Moton High School with their strike. Johns and fellow students sought legal counsel from the NAACP as to what they could do to fight back against the unfair conditions they experienced at their school compared to the allwhite school. The NAACP agreed to represent the students in a lawsuit as long as they would fight to integrate the school system, rather than just fighting for equal facilities.

The very next month, the NAACP filed Davis v Country School Board of Prince Edward County in federal court, which later became part of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v.

Board of Education. Her case was the only one out of the five cases in Brown v. Board to be brought up by a high school student.

On December 16th, 2020, Virginia’s Commission of Historical Statues in the US Capitol voted to recommend that a statue of Barbara Johns represent Virginia in the National Statuary Hall Collection, replacing the statue of Robert E. Lee which was installed there. On December 16, 2025, exactly five years later, the statue of Johns was unveiled in the US Capitol, replacing the statue of the Confederate general which had stood there for over 100 years.

Barbara Rose Johns’ story matters to students today because it shows that age does not limit impact. By organizing her peers and taking a stand, Johns proved that young people can fight injustice and inspire real change. •

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she will not be seeking reelection this November.

She has been DC’s mayor since 2015, serving three consecutive terms.

She’s seen the city through a lot, from a population boom to the COVID-19 pandemic to the tumultuous times of the second Trump administration. So, let’s take a look back at some of the key moments of the Bowser administration–her policies and the legacy she will leave behind.

When Mayor Bowser took office in 2015, she began with a strong focus on affordable housing and urban development.

She faced a widening wealth gap and growing housing crisis, but managed to lead the city, increasing tax revenue and development.

Another characteristic of her early years was a strong focus on education. She stressed the need to “make sure our system of education is holding up” in her first State of the District address and supported programs that helped students beyond the classroom.

Her administration increased funding for DCPS, expanded early childhood education, and invested in school modernization projects. Despite this, educational outcomes were and are still unequal across ward, racial, and socioeconomic lines.

Then comes the part of Bowser’s tenure most students are familiar with: the COVID-19

pandemic. The virus hit DC hard, devastating the local economy. In March 2020, the District declared a public health emergency.

School went virtual, businesses shut their doors, and public health measures went into effect. During this time, the District made an effort to distribute laptops to students and ensure they had access to WiFi, but many families still faced challenges. The hardships and consequences of the pandemic highlighted the already present disparities in the school system.

Also during the pandemic was a national era of racial justice protests. DC became a national focal point as Bowser ordered the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza (later renamed Freedom Plaza, painting the street with the phrase in bold yellow letters, right next to Donald Trump’s White House.

While some praised the act and others called it performative, it was still one of the most nationally visible moments that Bowser experienced as mayor. During the 2020 BLM protests, Bowser also condemned the deployment of National Guard on protesters, an act in clear defiance of the president.

After the pandemic, Bowser made efforts to lead the city towards recovery. She recognized the shift from in-person to remote work and introduced proposals to convert office buildings into housing in hopes of attracting new residents.

Another area of controversy, particularly during her later years

in office, was her focus on public safety. The mayor increased funding for the Metropolitan Police Department and passed legislation like the Addressing Crime Trends Act (ACT Now) as homicide rates rose in the District.

Through all of this, she continued to battle with Congress, being in the unique position of having to report to Congress and defend her choices regarding DC’s law enforcement due to DC’s complicated home-rule laws.

During her tenure, Bowser continuously encountered the problem of DC’s limited autonomy.

Th o u g h s h e c o n s i s t e n t l y advocated for statehood and home rule, she faced federal pushback– especially from the second Trump Administration–on her demands for self governance.

With the introduction of the National Guard and a surge of ICE agents in the city, she walked a fine line of which measures to resist or cooperate on. For instance, she signed an order in September 2025 authorizing coordination between federal forces and local police in a move largely seen as acquiescing to the Trump Administration's DC takeover.

As we enter an election year, understanding Bowser’s term is vital. Her legacy remains complex and will continue to be debated by her supporters and critics. For students and young voters, an understanding of her administration provides important context as the city enters a new chapter •

New Year's Eve traditions from around the world Arabella Bernstein Rose Geshekter Junior Editor Contributor

From eating grapes at midnight to writing resolutions, there’s a New Year's Eve tradition for everyone. Some people spend the holiday with their families, others with friends.

New Year's Eve can be a special time for anybody, no matter how you celebrate it, so we wanted to share the traditions of our Jackson-Reed community.

One common tradition is to kiss at midnight and make it last until the new year. You end one year with someone you love, and start the next with the same person. The new year can usher in new love, or continue with the old. New Year's Eve can give you the courage to finally ask out that girl or to make the first move. It’s up to you to be spontaneous!

Another New Year’s tradition is wearing white to symbolize a fresh start. Freshman Lily Gonzales says she wears white so she can “start the new year on a blank page.” Feeling confident is always a great way to start off the new year, and since white is commonly believed to symbolize purity, it’s perfect if you want to let go of things from the past. As they say, the past is in the past.

Of course, people usually stay up until midnight on New

Year’s Eve to see the end of the year through. This is the most common tradition there is, done by most people around the world.

However, because of the different time zones, Australia’s new year starts half a day before ours, and California celebrates later than us. It’s beautiful that no matter where you live in the world, even as we all start the new year at

we love that these traditions have been brought into the spotlight lately.

Although there’s certainly popular traditions (and a lot of them), we also wanted to see some original traditions from the JR community. One that was pretty new to us was from freshman Yaw Marfo. He explained that “at midnight, we write our predictions for the next year and seal it in an

relationships with those you love, what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year, or even to just think about what shoes you want for your birthday this year.

When we look closely at New Year’s traditions, it’s also interesting to note that some popular traditions came to us from other countries. For example, eating 12 grapes under

different t i m e s , people are staying up until midnight for their annual traditions, celebrating with friends or embracing their loved ones.

As for food themed traditions, Health & Physical Education teacher Jason Spinks says, “my wife and I eat black eyed peas at the beginning of the new year. They get rid of bad omens and bring us luck.” This was a new trend to us, and it’s a very interesting one at that. The concept of eating a food to bring you a new relationship, or ring in the new year with good luck and ward off the bad is so cool, and

e nv e l o p e. O n NYE, we open ours from the past year. It helps me start off my year in a fun way!” This tradition provides an opportunity to reflect on your goals for the year, and where you hoped to be at this point. It offers a good time to stop and think about your

the table as soon as midnight hits has become a popular trend online, but actually originated in Spain.

You have to eat all 12 in the first minute of the new year to get good luck; in Spanish culture, you eat a grape for each month, getting a wish with each. As it’s

GRAPHIC BY IRINA FILLIPPOVA

been circulating on social media nowadays, it’s said to give you good luck in relationships. Only time will tell if this actually brings you luck or is just a silly myth!

New Year’s Eve is definitely a fun time to spend with your family, friends, or even alone.

Whether you have lots of fun traditions or you just want to go to bed early, the night is a symbol of starting the next 365 fresh, giving yourself a blank slate. It’s also a good way to refocus yourself and reflect on your goals and how you’re going to reach them.

Sophomore Rose O’Leary told us, “I like celebrating the new year so I can set new goals and work on bettering myself.” This is a theme echoed throughout t h e s c h o o l’s c o m m u n i t y where students make New Year’s resolutions each year.

Although almost a quarter of people give up on their resolutions before the first week’s even over, it’s still good to recognize what you want for yourself and the year. It can also be a great time to focus on your relationships with loved ones.

Whether you’re at a party with strangers, an intimate gathering with only your closest family and friends, or alone watching the ball drop, New Year’s Eve is a highlight of the year. It’s a chance for both time with loved ones and self-reflection, which is exactly why we love it! •

The Beacon

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

OPINIONS

7

ICE has committed murder in Minneapolis Desmond Parsons Director of Art and Design

On January 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Renee Nicole Good and her wife, Becca Good, were on their way home after they dropped off their six-year-old son.

Good stopped to observe commotion involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and, as she went to leave, her SUV blocked the road.

An ICE agent approached the vehicle, and Becca Good exited the car, recording as Renee Good then pulled forward slightly to go left.

Then two agents quickly approached the vehicle, and one aggressively pulled the handle saying, “get out of the f-ing car.” The first agent, Jonathan Ross, was now on the vehicle's front left side.

Good backed up, turning the front of her car away from Ross. She then went into drive and turned her wheels to the right, turning her car away from the officer in an attempt to get away.

As she tried to escape, Ross, a masked murderer gunned down Good, an unarmed mother of three in front of her spouse.

Ross, a veteran ICE agent and experienced firearms instructor should know that the only time a firearm should be used against another human is when your life or the life of another is in immediate danger. Videos in clear resolution

show that Ross is not being run over, and it is questionable whether the vehicle made any contact with him at all.

Reports claimed that Ross went to the hospital for “internal bleeding,” but left only a couple of hours later, so it wouldn't be farfetched to assume that internal bleeding means a slight bruise.

Federal agents stood there doing nothing, as bystanders rushed to help. Eventually, they did do something: they blocked the attempts to help.

A physician identified himself and asked to help, “I don't care!” said an agent and all further attempts were declined. Agents drove away leaving Good to die as she waited for help.

Head of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, called Good’s acts “domestic terrorism.” Trump described how Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE officer.”

Then just 17 days later Alex Pretti was shot.

O n Ja n u a r y 2 4 t h , i n Minneapolis whistles could be heard alerting of the presence of ICE in the area. Alex Pretti was holding his cellphone recording as two women confronted an ICE officer.

As he records Pretti guiding a car past, he can then be heard shouting, “Do not push them into the traffic!”

An agent was pushing one

of the women toward Pretti, then approached and pushed Pretti who was defending the first woman, and then shoved the other woman to the ground. Pretti holds up his hands and turns away as he is sprayed with a chemical irritant.

Alex Pretti is an ICU nurse who worked a great amount with veterans, and his first instinct was to help. As he tried to help the woman up he asked, “are you ok” he was pulled off by one ICE agent and five others joined and began pushing him down.

One officer hit Pretti repeatedly in the head with a metal can.

Another officer walked to the situation as the rest began to shout “Gun! Gun!” The officer pulled Alex Pretti's legally registered firearm out of his belt and walked away as Pretti struggled with his hands nowhere near his belt.

As the agent moved away with the gun, unarmed Pretti was shot at least 5 times. As Pretti laid there motionless an officer fired 5 more final shots.

One officer can be seen applauding, another is heard saying “boo hoo” to the yelling crowd.

Kristi Noem said Pretti approached a “border patrol officer” with the gun and "attempted to disarm” him, “but he reacted violently.” She said that he “arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement." Kristi Noem is

lying, again.

Killings in the street are being lied about, and the victims are being labeled terrorists. ICE is becoming a right-wing government organization that has “free rein to do whatever it wants to its victims.” That is not me describing ICE, no, that is The World Holocaust Remembrance Center describing the actions of the Gestapo in 1933 Germany.

Deportations were often enacted at the beginning of the Nazi regime, along with detention centers, similar to those seen in the US today.

The Washington Post released an article on January 17 about a Texas detention camp where Geraldo Lunas Campos lost his life.

Where investigation revealed the preliminary cause to be asphyxia due to chest and neck compression.

A witness reported Campos being strangled to death by an ICE officer, and the government tried to cover it up.

On December 15th, a pregnant woman in Minnesota was dragged through the snow by agents, and the president of the United States said, “Every one of them should be forced to leave this country.” No responsibility is being taken, and victims are being blamed.

Trump continues his push to be America's first authoritarian leader, threatening to use the military in Minnesota to suppress protests.

He wants to do this using the Insurrection Act, which is meant to be used as a last resort to stop insurrections, violence, or attacks on federal law.

After real attacks on our democracy on January 6 criminals were granted a pardon, but now Trump wants to use the act because he thinks Minnesota citizens and officials are acting against US law by protesting his agenda.

The right to protest is part of the First Amendment, but it is no surprise that the president forgot that.

The target of Minnesota for ICE’s occupation is also a significant concern. The estimated population of illegal immigrants in Minnesota is 100,000, but Minnesota is a blue state, and the illegal immigrant population in Texas is an estimated 2,000,000, but Texas is a red state.

This shift towards authoritarianism should trouble all Americans; rights are being stripped, and when people fight for them, lives are being taken.

Striking similarities to regimes and dictatorships of the past, present serious concerns about the possibilities for the future if a change is not made.

The path we are on is one of corruption and terror, and if citizens and politicians alike do not make attempts to diverge from it, the day could come when the nation is united no longer. •

The underlying racism in how Valentine's Day on a Saturday isn't all bad outsiders perceive JR Clara Doyle Maria Joyce-Johnson Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

We’ve all heard it, whether through Jackson-Reed’s “Yale or jail” nickname or the subtle comments about our school being “a little dangerous”. Even though it’s often intended as a joke, it’s blatant racism and classism targeted at JacksonReed’s diversity.

JR’s uniqueness stems from its position as the largest public high school in the District, with one of the most diverse populations— around a quarter African American, a quarter Hispanic, and almost 40 percent White—, serving students from a plethora of socioeconomic backgrounds.

Compared to schools of similar size in Maryland and Virginia suburbs, JR serves almost double the number of minority and low-income students.

It is also important to note that 26% of JR students are considered “at-risk” by DCPS, who assigns this status to those receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, are homeless or in the foster system, or are a year or more behind in high school. Having a significant “at-risk” population makes JR vulnerable to misconceptions that they cannot adequately provide support for each

student.

At JR, regardless of student backgrounds, an equal education and the tools necessary for success are provided.

Over 90% of graduates attend college, and the varied class options provide students of all backgrounds the opportunity to learn at their level. Not only is JR’s average SAT score above the DC and nationwide average, but around 88% of students have taken at least one AP exam.

JR provides a quality education to so many students, but outside perspectives continue to perpetuate the narrative that the school is filled with drugs, fights, and unmotivated students. Frequently, we hear thinly veiled comments about the dangers of JR and rumors about how students walk around high and never attend class.

In fact, it is often that we will hear dismay at the presence of metal detectors or security guards in the building, and the insinuation that it implies an unsafe and worse school environment.

Time and time again, JR is portrayed in a negative light, with people often attacking the school and its students. Following a fight against Sidwell after a basketball game a few years ago, people called JR students “aggressive” and “violent” on social media and DC Urban Moms and Dads (a forum for parents in the DMV), assuming that the sole responsibility for the fight fell on JR.

This wasn’t the only time rude and borderline racist comments have been posted about JR. Earlier this year an anonymous user on the website posted calling JR “a dump”. In an attempt to defend JR a different poster replied, saying, “most of the kids at JR now live in-boundary.”

Even though that user meant well, this comment sheds light on a different side of the issue.

In saying that most JR students are now in bounds, they imply that by reducing the number of out of bounds students – who are predominantly minority students – JR has become a better school.

Over the past 10 years JR’s demographics have changed greatly. In the 2014-2015 school year Black students made up 43% of the school's population, almost double the 26% they now represent.

In conjunction, the white population has risen from 25% to 36%, now making up a plurality. The fact that this change is occurring as public and community views on the school become more and more positive is no coincidence.

So, next time someone from a private school or suburban public school wants to make a comment about JR being an “urban environment,” they should reflect on what they’re really saying there.

It’s not a comment on the quality of education or how well the school is run. Instead, it’s reflective of underlying bias against the school’s population. •

this: are you buying the gifts to look good in front of your friends, or to show actual appreciation for your partner?

From serenading your date in If you’re lonely on the 14th, class to buying them extravagant go out with a friend, and have fun! gifts to show off in school, You would’ve bought them a Valentine’s Day has always been song and candy for the laughs on a an eventful day for high school school day, but you could actually students. spend the weekend together, too.

That’s why this year, it’s I have a friend who has a tradition particularly disappointing that of eating Popeyes on the holiday falls on Valentine’s Day – so a Sa tu r d ay . Fo r get creative with single students, your celebrations! however, this Galentine’s Day might come as is a great way to more of a relief. spend the day.

I’ll admit – as W h e n a freshman last y o u ’ r e year, and coming surrounded from a middle by friends in school that did relationships, it’s nothing of the sort, easy to forget that GRAPHIC BY LIA ZELDES seeing a choir come in and sing love comes in so many forms. to somebody’s date felt surreal.

My takeaway?

It was probably embarrassing Valentine’s Day doesn’t for the serenade-ee, but for the rest always emphasize love or dates, of the class? Awesome. but it should.

While it is sad to lose all the Regardless of the day, take a school activities surrounding second to remind yourself of the Valentine’s Day, the weekend date people you love instead of buying doesn’t ruin the holiday. a new pillow because it’s heart Valentine’s Day is a silly, shaped or feeling sorry for yourself fun event to celebrate with your because you don’t have a date. significant other, but it’s also We can be thankful outside of about love. That is, after all, how November, and this holiday is the it’s branded. It’s important to keep perfect opportunity. I will miss that in mind. the singing, though. To whoever If you’re sighing about a did that, you guys were awesome. • Saturday Valentine’s Day, consider Lia Zeldes Contributor

OPINIONS

8

The Patriot Games: A dystopian future Nati Pinilla Junior Editor

The dystopian genre has proven to be a popular theme in fiction, but at what point does dystopia become reality?

Plots surrounding teenagers rebelling to revolutionize their society have been popular for years, as with The Maze Runner, Divergent, and others.

Last month, President Donald Trump announced the new “Patriot Games,” which many consider eerily similar to The Hunger Games. Unlike dystopian movies, it’s not something people want to see.

The Hunger Games is a young adult novel and popular movie franchise where teenagers, one female and one male tribute from each district, are forced to fight to the death against other teenagers in an arena in a televised event hosted by the government.

In President Trump's Patriot Games, one male and one female high schooler from every state and territory will compete in a 4-day Olympics-like athletic competition.

According to Fre e dom 250, the games are meant to be a celebration of the 250th birthday of the US and are part of the lineup of events run by the organization. Not only does this sound more like a reality TV show than a display of national pride, but encouraging this competition will only divide states more - which is exactly the opposite of the ideals this

country was founded on.

Along with the Patriot Games a new “Arc” in DC, similar to the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, and a UFC fight hosted at the White House were announced.

In recent times, our country has been deeply divided. Using children to compete against one another will just pit states and people against each other at a time when unity is crucial. Being united as a country is something the US has always struggled with and this worsens the problem.

The Patriot Games have already been stated to be a competition between young men and women in their own separate gender divisions.

In past statements and initiatives supported by the President, transgender athletes have been a target for discrimination and a full ban on athletics.

It would not be surprising if these games are another way for more exclusive and conservative ideals to be present at a nationwide event.

Overall these Patriot Games are not simply a fun competition, they are a way to create further national tensions and leave the message that it is every state for themselves.

This is a direct reflection of this presidency and the country as a whole, that says that unification throughout the country is not a priority when this nation is more separated than ever. •

THE BEACON • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Why DC is the place to be Julia Khoury Contributor

I think it’s fair to say that Washington, DC is one of the best cities in the country to grow up and live in. In all honesty, DC is a very special place to live; it’s not easy to find a city where you can spend hours walking through nationally-protected parks and then take a 20 minute bus ride to the largest collection of museums in the world.

The Smithsonian Institution alone holds over 20 museums, not to mention the numerous other privately owned galleries and exhibits, many of which are free and open to the public. DC is also home to many famous monuments and beautiful memorials, the most popular of which, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, etc., are all within walking distance of each other.

Spending our

childhoods in a city as distinct as DC has made all of its quirks and unique experiences commonplace to us, but it’s crazy to think about the number of historically significant sites we walk past every day.

Not only is it the political center of the country, but it’s also a great food city with virtually any kind of cuisine you could ever want, whether that be a Michelin Star meal or a somewhat sketchy three AM sweet treat from Insomnia Cookies.

If DC’s food scene has anything, it’s range. The contrast of a luxury restaurant next to a 90 Second Pizza and 20 yards from the nearest bus stop, can probably be found dozens of times throughout the city.

While I know some people may not like using public transit, let’s take a second to admire our extensive and easy-to-navigate subway system, as well as the

much more confusing, but still useful, bus system.

And yes, the fare will cost you as much as Five Guys' fries, but JR students can’t complain about that since we all have access to Kids Ride Free cards.

Additionally, DC boasts countless sports teams that used to be good (shoutout the Wizards and the Nationals!), a few teams that are still dominant (Go Capitals!), an excess of National Guard troops, and frequent sightings of political figures that you may vaguely recognize.

But despite all the attractions inside the city, there are also plenty of activities nearby. You could spend a day shopping at Tysons Corner Center, an hour of which will be wasted trying to find parking.You could take a day trip to Great Falls or one of the many hikes surrounding the city. You can even make your way out to Northwest Stadium during football season to watch a Commanders game.

The point I’m trying to make is that DC is diverse in many ways: the people, the environment, the cultural experiences, and many other things.

That’s why it’s such a great city to live in at any stage of your life, and why we should all appreciate DC just a little bit more. •

GRAPHIC BY AMINA BROWN

What does Mamdani's election mean for us?

Lucinda Schaible Contributor

Zohran Mamdani, recent mayoral elect of New York City, didn’t just have an epic win, but is resetting the standard for the way elections should be run.

At a time when most Americans feel disconnected from the two major political parties, Mamdani was able to unite Democrats and Republicans alike despite identifying as a Democratic Socialist.

Mamdani got people excited about local politics, a feat hard to do normally but one that has only been magnified by Trump’s presence looming over our nation.

In a time when a lot of people are feeling politically apathetic, Mamdani achieved his victory by working to address the problems of the average New Yorker.

What made Mamdani different was the scale of his campaign. A year ago, someone would say the name Zohran Mamdani and you wouldn’t have a clue who that was.

How did he go from unknown to the mayor of the biggest city in the country in a year?

Mamdani’s election campaign is reminiscent of those of the past, before elections became a competition of this billionaire

versus that billionaire. It is thanks to his willpower and team that dove straight into New York communities.

Unlike many celebrities and politicians, Mamdani didn’t create a barrier between himself and the people. He was a true grassroots campaigner, going door-knocking in every borough in the city, walking the length of Manhattan, and engaging with common citizens and interviewers alike.

He called phones, rode public transportation, and did anything possible to get his name out there.

Mamdani targeted his election campaign at those who are often neglected in campaigns: the ones marginalized, the ones who aren’t registered to vote, the ones without money to donate, kids, and immigrants.

Mamdani didn’t just talk to them, they

became the key to his 50.8% win over Andrew Cuomo. w Mamdani’s election policies were also very appealing to the average New Yorker. Twenty-five percent of New Yorkers live in poverty, and studies show that 50%

of New Yorkers don’t make enough money to meet their basic needs.

Mamdani wants to make the city less expensive, proposing a tax raise that would only affect the top 1% of NYC residents m a k i n g o v e r

for kids from the ages of six months to five years.

His campaign was right in line with his voters, the same people working three jobs, having to move often when their rent increased, and feeling like their leaders aren’t providing their true wants. Mamdani made the core of his campaign personal, not just political.

Quite frankly, the Democratic Party is becoming weak: more new voters have registered Republican than Democrat, and they have lost control of the executive and legislative branches. Mamdani is helping unify Democrats.

What he stands for is really what most everyone wants.

He isn’t a puppet for billionaires, but speaks for the working class and the impoverished. His election is inspiring, showing how you can build trust through relationships and connections with your voters.

GRAPHIC BY CARYS GRAY Voters can’t just be earned $1,000,000 USD annually by by reading your policies online or increasing taxes from 3.9 to 5.9%. seeing you on the news.

Mamdani argued that the Mamdani matters because he inflation of millionaires' money is the sign that the Democratic Party could help the city to end rising rent needs to change immediately. in many areas, create free public His election shows that buses, and provide free childcare with personal effort, anything is

achievable.

Andrew Cuomo, runner-up for mayor, was the governor of New York for three terms, yet was beaten by almost 10 percentage points. Cuomo was also known for doing grasswork; instead, he relied on campaign donations, nepotism, and political connections.

Mamdani, identifying as a Democrat but also being a very strong grassroots campaigner, is a juxtaposition within itself, as Democrats promote fundraising instead.

Democrats may very well choose not to take inspiration from Mamdani, but it would be a very stupid move. Mamdani went viral all over social media, on the news, and across the world for the way he ran.

It confirms what election strategies are most successful and likely to work when all the odds are against you.

Especially for Democrats who desperately need the vote of young adults, candidates need to show us that they will put in the effort to involve the younger generations.

Mamdani matters because he could help America win back the House and Senate, potentially leading to Democratic wins in the legislative branch. •

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

The Beacon Jackson-Reed High School 3950 Chesapeake St. NW, Washington DC, 20016

https://thejackson-reedbeacon.com/ beaconchiefeditor@gmail.com

CLARA DOYLE, NOA GORDON, and ALICE PATTERSON Editors-in-Chief GRETA BRADLEY-MEAL, MARIA JOYCE-JOHNSON, and JAVIER THOMPSON Managing Editors CAROLINE REILLY, KALPANA SHIPLER, and SARAH WIESENFELDER Director of New Staff

VISUALS STAFF CARYS GRAY and DESMOND PARSONS Directors of Art and Design beaconvisuals@gmail.com Assistant Director of Art and Design: Clare Bates Visual Content Contributors: Lia Zeldes, Irina Filippova, Solaya Rutledge, Esme Noorudin, Amina Brown, Claire Yoder, Clara Doyle, Sam Bensky, Orly Jossen, and Greta Bradley-Meal, Daniel Krepps, Caroline Reilly, Charlie Ketchum

EDITORIAL STAFF ETTA MASON Copy Editor RILEY MACCLELLAN and JORDANA SLOANE News Editors PEYTON SHUM and EVA SOLOMON Opinions Editors Written Content Contributors: Julia Khoury, Lucinda Schaible, Lia Zeldes

JESSICA MCCALLUM and AVANI PATEL Features Editors Written Content Contributors: Rose Geshekter

CECELIA GRANT and DANIEL RAVIV Spread Editors

OPINIONS

9

We stand with student protesters

By The Beacon staff

Within the past month, acts of violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have reached a greater extreme than ever before.

With a devastating rise in deaths and assaults at the hands of federal law enforcement, thousands of people across the country have taken to the streets to demand their voices be heard.

On January 30, more than 300 protests were held across the country. Additionally, people boycotted stores, marched, and went on a nationwide strike to express their frustrations with the current political climate. Jackson-Reed students have expressed their own interest to participate in an organized walkout on February 27 at 2:00 pm along with other schools in DC. As protests continue, student and youth voices have become exceedingly important in our society as

a way to stand up to oppression.

Violence by ICE has affected every community in the country and has separated and disrupted countless families. The Beacon condemns these actions, and believes that the abuse of power committed by ICE agents is extreme and must be abolished.

As student journalists, the Beacon emphasizes the necessity of youth opinions. We encourage students to use their ability to stand up and fight back when they see injustice in their world. We stand with those who are protesting the events in Minneapolis and the actions taken by ICE across the country. The Beacon would like to encourage students to use their voices as their greatest tool against the forces that seek to silence them. •

TOP 10 Punxsutawney Phil Replacements Smith 1. Karen from Mean Girls

6. Lee from the announcements

2. Gender reveal cake

7. Fortune cookie

3. Hedgehog

8. Weather app

Written Content Contributors: Hadar Apostolou

ISABELLA MARA ORNSTEIN and DANI ORTIZ DE PRADO Spanish Editors

4. The Simpsons 9. A Ouija board

SAM BIGGE and GRACE HARSCHEID Sports Editors

5. Dean Boone

Written Content Contributors: Vicky Encarnacion and Genesis Angarita

Assistant Sports Editor: Sam Bensky Written Content Contributors: Kira Mitchner

PADGET BOWERS-SHREVE and WILLA FRILLICI Style Editors

100—word rants

Written Content Contributors: Myles Heyman, Leah Fletcher, and Maia Hefuna

BEN HOLLAND Games Editor WRITTEN CONTENT EDITORS Esme Nooruddin, Meredith Page

SECTION COPY EDITORS Tessa Frantz and Cole Anderson

JUNIOR EDITORS

Georgie Ley, Andrew Dellabella, Nati Pinilla, Patrick Hutchins, James Fowlkes, Idan Kumin, 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, Desmond Parsons, William Pfaffenroth, Arabella Bernstein, Eliza Bowers-Shreve, Uli Ferrero, Alex Garcia, Alex Rogers

WEBSITE STAFF LOLA PEARLMAN-CHANG Web Editor NATALIA WEINSTEIN Multimedia Editor

10. Chat GPT

no Crumbl

let us vote

Phones

Alex Oh

Oliver Gilbert

Jessica McCallum

Why isn’t there a Crumbl in DC?? When I want an oversized cookie, why are my two options Metroing to the moon and back or paying my life savings for the delivery fee? Just one store in Tenley could singlehandedly get me through this school year. Genuinely, the amount of dopamine that just looking at those pink boxes gives me should be studied. When I get out of school knowing that I have an essay due at nine PM, only one thing can save me: a 2,000-calorie cookie. Crumbl, please lock in. •

DC is home to over 700,000 people (which is more than Alaska, Wyoming, or Vermont) who pay taxes, serve in the military, and cast a presidential vote. Despite this, DC residents have no voice in forums and have no way to express their opinion on national issues, even ones concerning DC itself. Many people argue this is because DC, the nation’s capital, should remain neutral in politics. However, that would mean thousands of people would still lack a basic right: voting.

To fix this representation issue, DC needs to become a state, which requires a bill to be passed in both houses of Congress and for the president to approve the law. •

Every day I’m in the security line for fifteen minutes. Laptops out, jackets off, phones in pouches.

The pouches are the bane of my existence. But this isn’t a security rant. At a now phone-free school, it is offensive (and arguably detrimental to my learning) that staff at this school walk around on their phones. Occasional, productive use is acceptable–after all, I too would like my phone.

But it is entirely hypocritical that staff walk the halls with their eyes down. Where’s your Yondr? At the very least, taunting me with it feels cruel. Next time, I might consider tripping them. •

10

THE BEACON • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

The legacy of Jackson and Reed Maria Joyce-Johnson Managing Editor

The class of 2026 was the first class in Jackson-Reed’s history to enter the school under its new name. In March of 2022, Woodrow Wilson High School was officially renamed to JacksonReed in response to community protests against former President Woodrow Wilson’s legacy of racism and discriminatory practices, specifically those that displace Black residents from Northwest DC. However, unlike Wilson, few are familiar with the legacy of the new namesakes, Edna B. Jackson and Vincent E. Reed.

When Wilson’s doors opened in 1935, it was for white students only. It was built across the street from Reno City, a Black neighborhood that was being slowly demolished by the federal government to make room for white housing and institutions like Wilson.

Being named after a historical figure known for sympathizing with the Ku Klux Klan, allowing the resegregation of federal agencies, and showing the racist film The Birth of a Nation at the White House, our school had a long history of segregation. In fact, in 1972, sociology teacher Edward Cannon told the Beacon that Wilson was “founded in

racism” and named after a “bigot,” emphasizing that the “odor [of racism] still exists.”

Edna B. Jackson started at then Woodrow Wilson High School with fellow Black teacher Archie Lucas in 1955, making the school Washington’s last high school to integrate its teacher workforce.

As a teacher, she taught European and world history and strongly advocated for integration, specifically advocating for schools to teach more Black studies courses. Her first years were especially difficult.

According to former teachers and students, white teachers refused to eat with her at lunch and would use racial slurs when she was around. She was beloved by faculty, teachers, and students alike by the time of her retirement in 1976, prompting many to advocate for her when DCPS opened up to suggestions for a name change in 2021.

Vincent E. Reed served as principal for only one year in 1968; his impact, though, lasted much longer than that. While racial unrest in the area had increased following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Reed became the school’s first Black principal. At Wilson, he was known for his thoughtfulness, integrity, and charisma; he was almost always seen greeting students at the beginning of a school day

and knew all the students’ names because, according to his wife Frances Bullitt Reed, “he believed that one way you show students that you care is by learning their name.”

Like Jackson, Reed also experienced rampant racism and backlash from the school’s predominantly white student body. At the time, Washington was in turmoil. DC’s Black population was growing and the white population was being pushed north to neighborhoods like Tenleytown.

Upon his resignation in 1969, Reed was appointed as superintendent for DCPS for which he served for 5 years. He followed as Assistant Secretary of Education for the Reagan administration and finally served as The Washington Post’s Vice President of Communications.

His most notable accomplishment, though, was the establishment of Benjamin Banneker High School, a magnet public high school in Northwest.

As of this school year, JacksonReed has been around for 90 years. For almost all of that time, the school had been remembered as Woodrow Wilson, but now JR’s legacy will be cemented under a new name, a name that honors the school’s black history and two of its most important leaders: Edna B. Jackson and Vincent E. Reed. •

Upcoming Events Daniel Raviv Spread Editor

African American History is extremely intertwined with Washington, DC. With its large African American population and setting within the nation’s capital, where many black political achievements were made, the city doesn’t hold back when it comes to Black History Month. Here are some events to make the most of this February:

GRAPHIC BY CLAR

E

GRAPHIC B

A Centu

At the Vanguard A new exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The exhibit showcases artifacts and objects from the history of five schools: Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University. Overall, it showcases the many intellectual advancements of African American education over the past 150 years. Come see this part-time exhibit this month; you might even get some new college ideas.

2026 marks one “Negro History Week this milestone with histor y and progres beginnings to becom throughout the Unite the entire month, so c celebration we know

11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

E BATES

TES

BY CLARE BA

African American restaurants of DC

They are most known for like Dr. King. They even stayed open best known for its delicious waffles cuisine. amazingly flavorful menu and during the DC riots of 1968 to serve and french toast! It is both a sit-down their Hadar Apostolou fabulous multi-course tasting as a vital resource for those working. restaurant and a bar. As a Black- their Contributor menus! to is goal their nt, restaura Overall, Ben’s Chilli Bowl is known owned 4. Dukem Ethiopian DC as a place where DC’s history has create a safe, welcoming home to gton Washin is Not only Restaurant 1114-1118 U St NW, all guests. home to some of the most delicious unfolded for over six decades.

Their name, Ben’s Next Door, Washington, DC 20009 2. Florida Avenue Grill 1100 food, but the history behind it is even Last, but definitely not least.. ed to Ben’s Chilli more flavorful! Here are the top Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC is actually attribut Bowl, as they are right next door Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant. It was five most historically rich African 20009 in 1997 by Tefera Zewdie Florida Avenue Grill is known to each other. They wanted to pay opened American restaurants in DC, along Gebru and is located on Hiwot and that work hard the all to with some fun facts about them! I as one of DC’s oldest soul food spots. respect has done and offer U Street! It began as a small market have also provided the addresses It was opened in 1944 by Lacey and Ben’s Chilli Bowl to look back on and carryout which introduced place a so you can go and see them for Bertha Wilson. During segregation, the workers n flavors to U Street while it became a safe place for African their memories without having to Ethiopia yourselves. the corridor was rebuilding after 1. Ben’s Chili Bowl 1208 U St American customers, and much work at the same time!

4. Elmina 2208 14th St NW, unrest. It then expanded to a large like Ben’s Chilli Bowl, they also NW, Washington, DC 20009 sit-down restaurant and event It all started when the restaurant survived the 68’ riots that devastated Washington, DC 20009 space, which is what it is today! This old, year a only gh Althou first opened on U Street on August the U Street Corridor. Now, it’s still as old as ever. The restaurant is a delightful landmark 22nd, 1958. This restaurant stayed the world’s oldest continuously its history is restaurant was named after a for DC’s Ethiopian community. open, kept running, and continued operating soul food restaurant.

DC’s rich restaurant is one 3. Ben’s Next Door 1211 U St historic coastal fishing town and donating throughout DC’s major a significant slave trading post in of the best parts of the city. Now historic events. During the Civil NW, Washington, DC 20009 go and see these historic Established in 2008, Ben’s Next Ghana. Their goal is to honor and you can Rights Era, it became a crucial for yourself! • nts restaura and history African West meeting area for civil rights activists, Door is a family-owned restaurant reclaim

DC African American music history Cecelia Grant Spread Editor

“Keep what you’ve got till you get what you need” were the words voiced by Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-go music.

Brown is describing a genre built out of community. He is bringing the spirit of Go-go music, a genre built from the African American community in Washington, DC, to life.

Go-go began in the early 1970s in the neighborhoods of DC as a subgenre of funk music and remains present today as a creative reflection of Black culture, history, and pride. The name “Go-go” largely comes from its performance-based nature; its rhythm was known to keep people “going and going” while dancing during shows. This rhythm can

ury of Black History

e hundred years since Carter G. Woodson started k,” and the Library of Congress is commemorating a historical exhibit. The exhibit showcases the ssion of Black Histor y Month from its modest ming an educational and cultura l event celebrated ed States. Tickets are free, and it’s open through catch this presentation to learn more about the and love!

be felt in Go-go’s distinctive “pocket beat,” that personifies the distinctive, infectious groove in which complex forms of improvisation and call-andresponse chants are built upon.

Go-go puts heavy emphasis upon rhythm, percussion, and interactions between the crowd and audience. Performances tend to include different forms of call and response chants which blur typical barriers between the crowd and performer, instead emphasizing a communal celebration of music and culture.

This kind of performance was largely influenced by guitarist and frontman Chuck Brown and his band, The Soul Searchers, who were originally from North Carolina. Brown was known to blend different kinds of funk rhythms with Latin percussion, as heard in famous songs like “Bustin’

Loose” (1978).

However, Brown was far from alone in the development of this unique genre. There were a series of other notable groups like the Young Senators, Trouble Funk, and Rare Essence who helped form this distinctive kind of communal performance. The rise of go-go acted as an extension of the large Black community in DC during the 1970s, when African Americans made up about 70% of DC’s residents–a number that has since decreased as a result of gentrification. This period coined DC the nickname “Chocolate City,” named after Parliament Funkadelic’s 1975 album which was representative of Black power and pride within DC. This genre has continued to evolve, in the 90s merging with hip hop to create a generally faster rhythm and different sound.

Entering the 2000s, characteristics of go-go like the pocket beat have continued to show influence and merge with elements of R&B in bands like Be’la Dona and Vybe Band.

Throughout generations, gogo has acted as a communal force for promoting political expression and resistance in the U.S. During the 1980s, Chuck Brown collaborated with a number of other go-go artists to take a stand against gun violence in “DC Don’t Stand for Dodge City,” serving as a voice for various political concerns.

Today, go-go remains an everevolving genre representative of the African American community and experience within the DMV. Still existing largely in live performances, the genre works to preserve DC’s cultural identity in a period of growing change. •

Living the Dream …

Dream Singing thDr.eMartin Luther King, Jr.

Black History in Motion

A Choral Tribute to s of February, the Gospel choir Throughout the month of where ts host vocal presentations Washington Performing Ar ng. This through song and storytelli they pay tribute to Dr. King powerful song of traditional annual event showcases the stories and messages gospel while also sharing t illustrate Dr. King’s from community leaders tha ng event has always enduring impact. The ongoi ets while they last. • been very popular, so get tick

On February 7th, join Washington, DC historian Lauri Williamson on a twohour tour of downtown that explores the African American history that shapes our city. You’ll walk through iconic DC landmarks at the National Mall, Lafayette Square, Freedom Plaza, and lesser known parts of the city that demonstrate how our city’s history and African American history are intertwined. Even if you are familiar with a lot of these landmarks, you might learn something you never knew about them. This tour is sure to fulfill the ultimate goal of Black History Month: education and commemoration of the advancement of African Americans.

GRAPHICS BY CLARE BATES

The Beacon

STYLE

12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Nike and Ben & Jerry's? Yes, some 2026 is the new 2016 brand collabs are crazy Alexa Lucas Junior Editor

Miles Heyman Contributor

Brands around the world collaborate with others to grab attention and generate more profit. There are classic collabs like Coca-Cola and McDonalds, or Red Bull and GoPro, but some of the more unknown ones have been just as incredible.

For example, when you think of Nike do you ever think of ice cream? Maybe not but, in 2020, Nike collaborated with Ben & Jerry’s to create the Skateboarding Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky” shoe, a basketball spin on Chunky Monkey ice cream. Who would expect that a sweet treat would be paired with something that goes on your foot?

But it worked!

Even before it was released, it was projected to be the biggest shoe of the year for Nike’s skateboarding division. The Nike SB Dunk Low, the shoe that inspired the Chunky Dunky, had already become extremely popular, and even before the collab, it had won the prestigious Shoe of the Year award at the Footwear News Achievement Awards.

People across the US saw this unique shoe across social media and immediately bought it. In just a few minutes, the shoes were sold out on every Nike website and store.

This led to crazy resale prices, with

some reaching over $2800 from the original $100 that it retailed for.

Next, tomato sauce and vodka.

They together make no sense, except for one thing: pasta alla vodka. Heinz and Absolut launched a Tomato Vo dka Pasta Sauce in the UK in

GRAPHIC BY LIA ZELDES

April of 2023. This partnership was genius because pasta alla vodka’s two most important ingredients, other than the pasta, are tomatoes and vodka.

The Heinz and Absolut partnership created a mini 350g jar of Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce for only around $2.80, much less than a bottle of vodka. All people now had to do was add some of this to pasta and voilà, a creamy and flavorful pasta sauce.

Another unexpected collaboration was combining two foods that are almost complete opposites. Potato chips: one of the most mundane foods in the entire world. Caviar: one of the fanciest foods in the entire world. How on earth would they go together? Well, in September of 2023, this crazy

The little joys to find in the new year Maia Hefuna Contributor

The start of a new year is of course the time people try to better themselves before they inevitably give up in February and reflect on all the good this new year will bring.

As a Junior, I will have a great many wonderful(ly frightening) things to look forward to in 2026.

The SAT has been heavy on my mind, along with five AP exams that I will somehow need to find time to study for, all of which will impact (or detriment) my college prospects and my future areas of study. For some of my classes, I even get to take AP style midterms (one of which will be three hours long).

Finding the motivation to study agriculture types in Human Geography, trying to fit in an hour every day to spend with the sweet lady Calculus; 2026 will probably be ok.

It is in times like these, when I have a multitude of pressing issues to attend to, that I remember my hobbies that I need to reconnect with in the school year. Like drawing what NATO would look like if all of its members were fish people on the back of a Precalculus exit ticket,

or working up the nerve to be an active member in book club.

I’ve ignored all these little things I’ve found fun in 2025, and I do think my academic performance has stood testament to that.

I’ve failed all of my Calculus exams on the first try (which isn’t that bad, I promise you) until I had one where I spent ten minutes thinking of a weird dream I had where my dog became a sweater celebrity and ended up getting a B. I’ve had so much stress over the countless Physics assignments due that I’ve forgotten Physics is an inherently fun class, one where you get to learn that if the universal Gravitational constant was just a little bit bigger, everything as we know it could be painfully crushed.

What I must look forward to in 2026 is not countless hours studying for my exams, but finding a way to enjoy the time before them and their process.

With a little more time spent on hobbies and things one finds interesting in life, I hope that juniors and academics everywhere will be able to remember to have fun with the material. No one ever got a five on anything by having a neverending panic attack. •

concept came true when Pringles partnered with Caviar Co. Before this happened, a trend of caviar and chips surged across social media, specifically TikTok. Pringles capitalized on this and reached out to Caviar Co. who thought it was a great idea to create the Caviar Pringles flavor.

Cans flew off the shelves almost instantly, not because of how popular the trend was but because people began enjoying it. People and even some famous chefs said the chips’ crunch and slight saltiness go perfectly with the smooth taste of the caviar.

Last but not least on this list is KFC and Crocs. Food and shoes… sound familiar? What is it with the marriage of food and shoes? In July 2020, KFC and Crocs released their limited-edition Crocs that featured a fried chicken print and a KFC chicken scented Jibbitz.

The idea is honestly not far from what KFC already sells with sandals, hats, socks, and even backpacks. Why people would want their feet to smell like fried chicken is a mystery, yet it was a hit. Like the “Chunky Dunky” shoes, these $60 Crocs completely sold out within 30 minutes of launch.

Maybe unique collaborations really are the best way to attract attention; all press is good press, after all. For me, the next big thing has to be Adidas and Dunkin’ Donuts.

What’s more mouth-watering and fashionable than chocolate cinnamon rainbow sprinkle donut shoes? •

Happy New Year from the Beacon!! As 2026 makes its introduction and the seniors gear up for graduation, it is time to discuss the fashion trends I want to see this year! Now a decade past 2016, I think it’s time for the resurrection of the aesthetic and vibe of the best year of my life (granted, I was 7).

It seems I’m not the only one with this opinion. According to TikTok, during the first week of the new year, searches for 2016 climbed up 452%.

The year is 2016: slime is all the rage and Pokemon Go is the game to p lay .

Instagram is flooded w i t h the rosy Paris filter and the nostalgic blare of the

bring back the saturation and fun of 2016. It’s time to bring back LA culture and worship the iconic pink wall that every single YouTube influencer seemed to visit. Throw on some ripped skinny jeans and too high black boots, people! Put on a full beat for school and show up with extremely matte makeup, topped off by a Kylie Jenner lip kit. Take out that dusty hoverboard and take it for a joyride around the block just to feel something.

At the heart of the sudden obsession with 2016 culture is a hope for a simpler time, a time not marred by continually disappointing political outcomes and growing unrest. Even through the hardships, I am hopeful of a brighter future as we come into this new year. I hope that not only can we bring the vibe of 2016, but the tolerance and woke wonder of the era. • GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

Chainsmokers.

SnapChat stories featuring bold cat eye eyeliner and colorful eyeshadow are hard to miss–and, of course, skinny jeans reign supreme.

Now in 2026, we need to

Our take on the best and worst outfits of the Grammys Avani Patel Lola Pearlman-Chang Features Editor Web Editor

The Grammys is the first awards show of the year, celebrating music from every genre. While it is known for the ama zing live musical performances and star studded cast, it's also known for the memorable outfits.

The current pop sensation and “Lush Life” icon, Zara Larsson, did not disappoint.

Larsson wore a bright yellow two piece, bringing the feeling of summer everywhere she went, even in the dead cold winter.

G ra m m y w i n n e r B e s t New Artist Olivia Dean wore a classic Chanel gown with a black bodice with a flowy white skirt. Her outfit embodied class, and showed that not only is she a breakout singer of the year, but she has the fashion sense to match.

She went on to perform her hit song “Man I Need” live, wearing a short red dress.

Dean is now being recognized

as the newest groundbreaking R&B singer that the world has seen in decades.

Bad Bunny, best known for headlining the 2026 superbowl and his hit song DtMF, showed up to the Grammys wearing a simple but elegant black tux, accompanied by a small white flower on his shoulder.

He walked away that night winning album of the year.

The female popstar famous for “The Subway” and “Good Luck Babe” brought her unbothered energy to the red carpet. Chappell Roan’s look was certainly one for the books, wearing what some consider to be an artfully draped rag. Gaining applause from die hard fans for her confidence in her dress, Roan also received backlash from the media for her risky choices, claiming that the dress was “not appropriate” for an event televised to families.

Coming off of her world tour, the Abracadabra singer arrived embracing her inner Wednesday Addams. Lady Gaga wore a feathered black dress, with a high neck line and mermaid tail. Gaga would later

win best pop vocal album for Mayhem, taking home her 16th Grammy.

It seems like this year many of the outfits were bodysuit adjacent, and Heidi Klum did not miss. Turning heads everywhere she went, Klum wore a glossy, fleshtoned second skin, blurring the lines between clothing and body art.

For the past six years, Trevor Noah has been a loyal Grammy host, but that streak has unfortunately come to an end. His talent for hilarious banter with artists isn’t his only strength, his black sleek suit and bow tie was a perfect way to end his Grammy career.

Award shows often allow musical artists to explore another of their creative styles, embodying their personalities into an outfit, often in a way that matches their musical style as well.

While some celebrities choose to dress more dramatically and others keep it classy, the Grammy’s showcase a diverse range of styles. •

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

STYLE

13

Open AI buying Pinterest would ruin the app Padget Bowers-Shreve Style Editor

As of January, there have been rumors swirling that the beloved app, Pinterest, is being bought by OpenAI. But what does that mean for us? The app has been a long-standing staple for just about anyone creative; art, music, fashion: it’s all available in the thunderdome that is Pinterest.

When the app was created in 2010 by a group of web designers and grew out of a failed shopping site called Tote, it immediately took the world by storm. DIY enthusiasts, bloggers,

designers, music and movie lovers, and your average teenage girl fell in love with the app and began contributing to it, as well, building Pinterest into what it is today: a uniquely creative experience for anyone to use.

While they’re still only rumors, all gossip starts somewhere. In early 2026, a tech publication called The Information included a prediction that OpenAI may buy Pinterest as a “strategic move,” opening up a gate to many forecasts echoing the same thing.

People began analyzing Pinterest, mentioning the

frequent use of AI-generated media currently on the app, as well as their stock jump early this year, reiterating the theory.

But how would this change the app?

The beauty of Pinterest is how different it is from other social media apps. It’s more media than social, and the content you consume can be anything from portraits of impressionist art to aesthetic outfit inspo to X (then Twitter) memes from 2016, offering a range of niche aesthetics specific to the app and its users.

It’s easy to express yourself on Pinterest without a fear of the

Brands we're leaving behind Leah Fletcher Contributor

I love fashion, and it is the best feeling to have a fabulous outfit or piece of clothing. While my favorite way to find that is through thrifting, I recognize you can’t find everything you want at the thrift store, and even I have to admit that there is something special about a brand-new item of clothing.

But before purchasing something new, it’s important to think about where that money is going and what kind of company it’s supporting. Here are the top four brands not to buy from because of the moral and environmental values of the company.

Zara: I get it. I do. Every time a cute piece of Zara clothing shows up on my Pinterest page, I have to fight the urge. But these stores are the epitome of fast fashion–mass amounts of clothing produced quickly and cheaply. After a month or so, they bring out new clothes, often throwing away unsold ones, creating tons of textile waste

every year.

Brandy Melville: The idea of “one size fits all” is not inclusive and sends a message to girls that if you cannot fit into their clothes, you are not sized correctly.

Clothes should fit you, you should not fit clothes. In this day and age, I would hope that we could get over this obsession, but their profits continue to go up, they keep on building stores, and every time I’m in Georgetown there is a line down the block.

Shein: Shein is well known for using sweatshops and other questionable manufacturing processes that allow them to sell their clothes for so little. I know

this is harsh, but by buying from them you support a company that exploits their workers. Not only that, but you are also buying a really poorly made item of clothing that will end up in your trash after a few months.

This is far from a full list, and I am not saying never to shop at these places, but be an informed buyer and think about where your money is going. Maybe instead of buying several cheap pieces of clothing from one of these brands, consider investing in a nice piece of clothing that will last you for years. My clothing mantra for 2026: quality over quantity. •

outside world looking in, and it’s a breath of fresh air from the social media world of brainrot and celebrity gossip. However, this is exactly why OpenAI acquiring Pinterest is an issue.

OpenAI is known for its branding and support around Artificial Intelligence (it’s literally in the name), famously creating products like ChatGPT. Their acquisition of Pinterest would further commercialize the app and take away its niche, forcing AI down our throats just like every other social media app.

We already see so many ads and AI-generated ideas and images on Pinterest,

especially as time goes on.

OpenAI buying the app would further commercialize it and turn it into something that lacks human integrity, instead looking unrealistic and monotonous.

Creativity and individuality are staples in making Pinterest what it is. People don’t open the app to see the same picture over and over again; they use it to find unique ideas and keep in touch with their individuality.

This acquisition is just another example of the control of AI over human character, and it needs to end now before this precious app is stolen from us, too. •

Players perform Little Women

PHOTO BY CAROLINE REILLY

LITTLE WOMEN- Eleanor Bishop (Marmee), Makayla Borden-Hall (Meg), Penelope Mason (Jo), Cameron Johnson (Beth), Maevyn Ferrel (Amy) star in JR’s production of Little Women. The players overcame difficulties with delayed rehearals due to snow days.

Pep rally highlights JR diversity

PHOTO BY CHARLIE KETCHUM

UNITY PEP RALLY- Students show off their heritage with flags from around the world and JR gets excited for basketball season.

GRAPHIC BY SOLAYA RUTLEDGE

Recent movie releases: a roundup review Cecelia Grant Esme Nooruddin Spread Editor Written Content Editor

January and February are infamous for being the worst months of school. DC winters are bleak and the school workload is nothing short of treacherous.

However, as we trudge forward towards spring and subsequently Oscar season, we have a proposal for you. We invite you to watch as many movies as possible to stave off the winter blues. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite recent releases.

Marty Supreme “ Mart y Supreme is an American Film,” announced acclaime d actor Timothe e Chalamet prior to its Christmas Day release. Set in the 1950s in the Lower East Side of New York City, Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser: a young, overconfident shoe-salesman who is hellbent on becoming the greatest ping-pong player in the world.

His story is very loosely

based upon the real life ping-pong champion, Marty Reisman, which A24 spins into a chaotic story about the consequences of Mauser’s explosive ego and journey towards humility. If the fact that this movie is about ping-pong dissuades you, fear not: the cast is filled with notable figures such as Odessa A’zion, Tyler the Creator, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin O’Leary.

While each character’s life is uprooted in one way or another by Marty’s selfishness, we could not help but root for him throughout the story. The movie can only be described as an electric celebration of delusion and ping-pong; seriously just go watch it!

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Deliver Me from Nowhere is a deeply moving biopic. It recounts the making of “Nebraska”, Bruce Springsteen’s sixth studio album, while shedding light upon Springsteen’s inner turmoil as an artist confronting himself through his work. “Nebraska”, released September 30, 1982, was a complete departure from Springsteen’s usual

rock’n’roll sound; this one captured much darker, more personal themes than others showcased in previous albums.

Springsteen is masterfully

GRAPHIC BY AMINA BROWN

embodied by the The Bear star Jeremy Allen White, who expertly conveys themes of honest, human experiences and finding meaning in a harsh world with his performance. This played a large role in the movie’s onpoint atmosphere, which closely mirrored the rawness, emptiness, and storytelling that made each Nebraska track.

Zootopia 2 10 years ago the first Zootopia movie came out, and since then the movie has become a staple of

our childhoods, much to the likes of Frozen. Like the last movie, Zootopia 2 comments on realworld issues, this time focusing on gentrification, colonialism, and systemic racism, all of which are relevant to the current political landscape of America.

The music and plot twists of Zootopia 1 are superior to that of Zootopia 2, but this new movie still encapsulates the nostalgia we were hoping for. On that note, if you’ve still neglected to watch the movie, what are you waiting for?

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Wake Up Dead Man is the third installment to the Knives Out Series. Wake Up Dead Man follows Father Jud (portrayed by Challengers star Josh O’Connor), an earnest young priest who becomes entangled in a seemingly impossible crime at a small-town church. The movie offers a nuanced take on the intersection of religion and American culture, highlighting hypocrisy within organized religion as well as the compassion and healing properties of faith.

Furthermore, this Knives Out movie takes pointed jabs at American Conservatism reflected by the church regulars, from the Fundamentalist Monsignor to a young Republican politician turned right-wing influencer. It’s not uncommon for Knives Out to deliver relevant social commentary, as the first two reflected issues of racism, class division, and political polarization.

The movie continues the Knives Out tradition of providing a mind boggling and exhilarating mystery while still relating back to our world today, the only setback is the movie’s 2hr 30min run-time, but lets be honest we all sat through each Stranger Thing’s release for much longer.

Whether you are in search of ping-pong prodigies, yet another (absolutely fantastic) music biopic, an ever-iconic cartoon throwback, or a small-town murder mystery, we can guarantee there’s something for everyone. As the Oscars approach and this frigid weather drags on, you may as well go see a movie!

You won’t regret it! •

The Beacon

SPORTS

14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

JR girls organize to create separate rugby team Kira Mitchner Contributor

This 2025-2026 school year, the Jackson-Reed girls’ rugby team had their debut, and introduced a unique and strong addition to the Jackson-Reed’s current list of athletics.

Teddy Metcalfe, a Junior at Jackson-Reed, spearheaded the formation of the team. Metcalfe explained how she attended the boys’ rugby interest meeting, only to find that a rugby team was not yet available for female athletes–although various other girls had also shown interest in joining.

Alongside the eager female athletes, Metcalfe met with the boys’ rugby coach, Patrick Christian, an admirable teacher here at Jackson-Reed.

Together, they utilized the early months of the school year to establish a roster, began practices for the fall season, and spread the message of the new mighty girls’ team at Jackson-

SWIM

from page 1

around these cancellations caused immense confusion among swimmers and families.

They said that DCIAA first blamed cancellations on an unspecified technical issue. “We didn’t get any proper reason,” senior JR swimmer Sophie Flaherty said. “We were only told the meets were canceled.”

Other swimmers were also frustrated. “The team practices really hard, and it’s really frustrating as a senior to have your season cut short,” Claire Yoder, a team captain, said.

Senior Zara Ackil also noted issues with team morale. “It was frustrating because they weren’t saying when we were having

Reed.

Rugby is a very intense sport, requiring its athletes to run, stay fit, and work hard. Rugby also has a lot of camaraderie and team spirit, as player synergy is a huge aspect of the sport’s strategy and mechanics. “ I t ’s e m p o w e r i n g t o know that it’s possible to start from scratch and find a community of women with the same passion for the sport,” expressed Anya Fu r r y , w h o p l a y s the fly-half position (rugby’s version of a quarterback).

Involving components of football and wrestling, rugby is simpler than people may think: the main objective being to get the ball across the field to what’s known as the ‘zone’ (also the endzone in football) without throwing it forward.

“Some aspects are easier to learn, and some are a lot more

specific, so they take longer to learn, but it’s not necessarily d i f f i c u l t ,” s h a r e d D a r b y Trevathan, co-captain of the girls’ rugby team. While rugby can be physically demanding– i t ’s an

meets, so no one wanted to come to practice,” she said.

DCIAA did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

The boys and girls swimmers have been practicing three mornings a week since early November. Of the team’s 40 to 50 members, swimming levels vary, and many participate in club swimming or play another sport.

Finally, at the end of January, DCIAA announced a makeup meet schedule. The JR and School Without Walls swim teams participated in a charter school meet on February 1 at Howard University, but no other DCPS schools participated and the meet did not count towards

either team’s records. Another meet took place on February 4.

Swimmers and families also were upset about the cancellations because swimmers were required to have competed in two meets by the end of January in order to qualify for METROS, a meet with teams participating from across the DMV. Tiger Sharks parent coordinator Shelley Vanneman said that JR coach Jim Crampton was able to secure a waiver for JR swimmers to swim in METROS even though they had swum in only one meet. This was conditional upon the swimmers having qualifying times from METROS in 2025.

“METROS went well and the 200 freestyle relay got to finals, which was very fun for seniors,” sophomore Leah Fletcher said.

Vanneman shouted out Coach Campton for his efforts to help swimmers compete. “He has been working around the clock for JRHS since November and is a real treasure,” she said.

“He deserves props for all he’s done for the team.”

JR swimmers were scheduled to attend DCSAA state championships on Wednesday. That was to be followed by a regular season DCIAA meet on January 19, with the JR season ending with the DCIAA championships on February 23.

That upends the usual order of the season, which in past years has ended with the DCSAA championships. “ I’m ver y happy that at least we’re having a season,” Flaherty said. “Better something late than nothing at all.” •

SENIOR SEASON - Swim team seniors Zara Ackil, Anna Yoder, and Claire Yoder pose with swim caps at their first meet of the year on February 1 at Howard University.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE YODER

GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

extremely good form of exercise, as the girls’ rugby team does not require players to have any experience, nor does it turn anyone away.

On a global scale, especially outside of the United States,

rugby is one of the largest women’s sports, involving some of the most impressive female athletes.

In the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Team USA grabbed the bronze medal in women’s rugby, making history by collecting the first medal in 7s for the U.S. To bring such a strong and dignified women’s sport as rugby to JR expands the prideful spirit of our athletes and female athletes.

Rugby is, evidently, a rough sport, involving comp onents like tackling , sprinting, and kicking.

It shares similar risks o f c o n cu ssi o n a n d i n j u r y as other intense sports; it’s understandable to be concerned, but the team expressed that they’ve implemented multiple safety features, such as required mouthguards, guided training, and a sense of trust and communication throughout the team.

In fact, rugby is highlighted

B-BALL from page 1 The SGA worked with staff advisors to organize lunchtime meetings with captains and coaches, and then with the entire league to discuss social media usage and recenter the mission of the league.

Afterward, SGA advisor Simona Spicciani Gerhardt set new guidelines for intramural teams that ban the use of acronyms or abbreviations in team names; political references; gang-related names or symbols; and names “that could cause controversy or conflict.” She said the goals of intramurals are strengthening school spirit, promoting healthy competition, and building community.

“We want intramurals and the culture here at Jackson-Reed to be inclusive,” said Physical Education teacher Desmond Dunham, who attended the meetings. “That’s how we went back to the mission. We asked the question, is this inclusive for everyone?”

Social media accounts that use AI to promote their teams are theoretically allowed as long as they remain unaffiliated with JacksonReed. But SGA and Senior Class President Charlie Ketchum said that because the JR logo was pictured in some of the posts, “the photo was associated with the school and not every person here has the same sociopolitical beliefs, making this the wrong image to represent our school.”

The school was then compelled to intervene, he said.

“Players are not allowed to post content that can be traced to aligning the school with a specific political or social belief, and they must take down the controversial images that the school outlined,” Ketchum explained.

One player on an intramural team, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “The mention of Charlie Kirk was intended to be making fun of him, but we understand

for being safer than football, having many more rules about tackling and stricter referees.

“Even then,” Metcalfe noted, “girls are tough.”

As of now, rugby is in its off-season and will resume consistent practices in the spring. Metcalfe invites anyone interested to join or reach out for the spring season. As Jackson-Reed does not cur rently have a girls’ football team, Metcalfe pointed out that, “if you’ve ever wanted to play football or you’re a girl who really likes football, this is definitely the game for you.”

Going forward, the girls’ rugby team hopes to gather a determined roster of players to participate in rugby tournaments and scrimmages in the spring.

If you have any questions or are interested, you can email metcalfemay8@gmail.com. •

why the school was upset.” The student said that he “didn’t actually care that the posts were taken down.”

Images referencing current world conflicts, sexual orientation, and political alignments in the US were swiftly removed by the teams, allowing the tournament to continue after a delay more than a week.

Play has resumed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at lunchtime, and the tournament continued to draw large crowds. Spicciani Gerhardt and Dunham both emphasized the success of the tournament and the joy it has brought.

“It’s a great thing culturally for the school,” Spicciani Gerhardt said.

Dunham agreed that he’s seen the intramural league grow school spirit and bring kids together.

Many players affirmed their love of the tournament, too. Sophomore Ethan Harrison, a member of the Backboard Bandits team, said that his favorite part of the event is “supporting my teammates.”

Sophomore Ryan Goodstein said he appreciates the opportunity to “show the world how I can hoop and express my skills on the court with my friends.”

With the controversy resolved, rivalries are heating up. “We’re not worried about power rankings, it’s all just white noise.,” senior Isaak Greiff from the team Gonzers said, referring to ranking posted on the Instagram account @barstooljacksonreed.

“We’re the best team and we know that. Validation isn’t needed.”

As play has progressed, there have been close games, clutch shots, and great teamwork. The league will continue until playoffs in the spring.

The winning team will compete in a anticipated showdown against a group of staff.

“It’s not about who is the best basketball player,” said sophomore Mason Fedele, a member of the Backboard Bandits. “It’s about community building within the school.” •

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

15

SPORTS

Basketball teams gear up for playoff season Girls focus on defense and player improvement Orly Jossen Junior Editor

As of February 2nd, the girls basketball team is 15-5, but the team is not letting their winning record distract them from keeping their eye on the prize as they inch towards their goal of States.

This year, Head Coach Stephon Seraile stresses the importance of defense in the Tigers’ game. “Taking pride in defending has been our calling card this year and when we've won we've done a great job of defending,” Seraile said.

He points to a recent game in a Philadelphia tournament against the Imhotep Charter Panthers as an example.

Seraile explained, “We started off great, was up 20, and as a good team does, Imhotep came back.” After one of their best players fouled out, the team didn’t blink.

A player that had not played all game came in off the bench and hit a big shot to help win.” Seraile pointed to this as an example of his “we before me” mindset. The Tigers eventually won that game, 73-71, in a hard- fought victory with contributions from everyone on the team.

However, Seraile said he doesn't “equate a good season to wins and losses,” and instead, “it's equated to how the girls develop from the beginning of the season to the end of the season and how we bond together as a team.”

Senior Jordyn McClusky, said the team is working amazingly well together on t h e c o u r t . Mc C l u sky a n d Seraile both highlighted the importance of not having an ego on the court. As McClusky put it, “we work well when we work together.” Junior Lanaia

Martin echoed this, saying, “I think energy and staying together works the best for the team.”

The team's strategy relies on every single player bringing their best and recognizing the best in others. Seraile said the thing he is the proudest of is that the girls are, “playing together as a team.”

Coach Steph also wants every player to get “1% better every practice.” He said he came into the season wanting each player to improve, and focus on whatever they need to work on, whether it be their shooting, ball handling, or court awareness.

McClusky said that she has developed a lot, and “this year learned what it means to have a role and how to play your role to the best of your ability.”Martin says she has been stepping up and that her “leadership from the beginning of the season has changed.” Freshman Vivian Lapointe, she has been working on “getting to know everyone and getting better at playing together every game.”

Although Seraile emphasized the value in going game by game and getting one percent better every practice (which he referre d to as “championship behavior”) he is not afraid to talk about goals and expectations.

He expects the team, which is currently ranked fourth in DCSAA, to have a good run in the playoffs and have their games reflect what they have been working on all season.

“We hope to go into states with a good seed, but the only way to do that is if we take care now,” Seraile said. So for now, the Tigers are taking it game by game, not giving up, and practicing championship behavior. •

Boys hit 100-point mark for first time, raising hopes before DCIAA championships Sam Bigge Sports Editor

In a season of transition, the Jackson-Reed Boys Varsity Basketball team did something that, as far as the record books are concerned, they had never done in the program’s history, by hitting 100 points in a game against Bell on January 14th.

In the first season under Coach Bill Bourgouin, the Tigers have faced a greater challenge than in previous years, with a current record of 15-8.

This has meant that big results have been harder to come by, but some notable highlights from the first half of the season stick out, notably the home opener against Coolidge, which saw the Tigers win 81-62 after pulling away in the 3rd quarter.

“As of right now, I’d probably say beating Coolidge by 20 was another impactful moment,” said junior Joaquin Frye. “It was probably our biggest statement win so far.”

Exactly one week prior to this result, the Tigers faced an unexpected and humbling result, losing at McKinley Tech, 73-64, for a first DCIAA regular season loss since 2020.

Despite this upset loss, the game against Bell was expected to be business as usual, and though nobody could have predicted the scoreline, a blowout win was not just the expectation but the standard for the Tigers athletes. “We have the same mentality going into every game, honestly,” said senior Dawit Abraham. “It’s just to win, kill games, scoreless quarters, and try to blow out every team we play” The Tigers dominated out of the gate, completely shutting down the Bell Griffins offense and limiting their ability to get out of backcourt, and making quick work of scoring when they forced a turnover. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Tigers led 31-3. For many teams, the speed at

PHOTO BY DANIEL KREPPS

TEAMWORK FIRST - The boys basketball team at a recent game sporting t-shirts signed by all team members

which points are scored would likely slow down shortly after this.

At this level, a mercy rule is triggered once a team leads by 30 points, which sees the clock run for the rest of the game, meaning only timeouts can stop the clock, and not scores, substitutions, or the ball going out of bounds. With this rule making the remainder of the game go by significantly quicker, few teams are able to maintain their scoring momentum after this rule comes into effect.

Considering this is a rule the Tigers triggered in the opening minutes of the 2nd quarter, it would be easy to assume that they wouldn’t continue scoring at the same pace, but they matched their tally of 31 points from the first 1st quarter, leading 62-13 at the half.

They managed to continue at this pace thanks to lights out shooting from their stars, with junior Lane Mahan, sophomore James Walker, and sophomore Amir Brutley nailing 3’s throughout the quarter. “We just stayed locked in through the entire game,” commented Walker. “From when we wake up all the way to the game, we try to do the same thing over and over again.”

The Tigers continued to keep their foot on the gas in the 3rd

quarter, maintaining a form of roughly 30 points per quarter as they led 91-15 with one quarter remaining.

It was only then that the Tigers scoring form took a dip, but they did just enough in the 4th quarter to hit the 100 point milestone, with James Walker hitting two free throws to secure that tally with 2 minutes remaining.

This game acted as a massive confidence boost, one they needed after the previous week’s struggle. “It brought our competitive spirit back,” commented senior Sam Elliot. “I feel like we lost that a little bit, but it’s back, and we’re ready to play.”

It should be said that it is hard to determine for sure if this was the first time the Tigers hit 100 points in a game, as records on MaxPreps only go back to the 2005-2006 season.

Considering the past 20 years are only a small portion of the history of the Tigers Boys Varsity Basketball team, it may seem unlikely that this was the first time the Tigers reached 100 points in a game.

However, this mark served as a confidence boost for the Tigers, one they hope will propel them to another DCIAA championship and end their season on a high note. •

Your guide to Olympic figure skating Jordana Sloane Peyton Shum News Editor Opinions Editor

Ever y four years, like clockwork, everyone becomes obsessed with the Winter Olympics. Insanely impressive physical feats dominate our TikTok feeds for a couple weeks, but one specifically stands above all: figure skating. So, here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding (and participating in) the figure skating craze.

There are five different areas of figure skating competition: women’s singles, men’s singles, ice dance, pairs, and the team event.

Women’s and men’s singles, as well as pairs, mainly focus on technical mastery and jumps, whereas ice dance features more dance-like characteristics and

complex maneuvers. The team competition is based on the total scores of countries’ skaters across all four disciplines.

This year, USA women’s singles features a stacked lineup of skaters: Isabeau Levito (18), Alyssa Liu (19), and Amber Glen (26), who call themselves the “Blade Angels”. Given the Russian ban from the Olympics over past Olympic doping scandals, Japanese, American, and Korean figure skaters compose the majority of contenders for the podium.

American skater Ilia Malinin (21), commonly referred to as the “quad god”, is regarded as the clear contender for the gold medal.

He was the first man to land a quadruple jump in competition, and has won two consecutive world titles and four consecutive national titles. Other members of the US figure skating team

Maxim Naumov a n d A n d re w Torgashev are also contenders for the podium.

T h e U SA pairs skating team includes Ellie Kam with Danny O’Shea and Emily Chan with Spencer Akira Howe. The ice dance pairs include Madison Chock with Evan Bates, who are three time world champions; Emilea Zingas with Vadym Kolesnik; and Christina Carreira with Anthony Ponomarenko.

When singles figure skating is broadcasted, a score comes up on the screen after each jump and spin combo. One number is a base value, which is given based on the difficulty of the jumps and spins.

There are two categories of spins: toe jumps, which start on the front of the black, and edge

jumps, which start on the edge of the blade. Toe jumps include the toe loop, flip, and lutz. Edge

j u m p s i n c l u d e salchow, loop, and axel.

While these are very hard to differentiate to the untrained eye, they have minor differences in take off, spinning, and landing. Spins are easier to differentiate: an upright spin is when a skater is upright while rotating, a sit spin is when the skater is close to the ice with one

knee bent and the other extended, and a camel spin is when the skater’s free leg is held backwards with one knee above hip level.

After the base score, an execution score is added, which ranges from -5 to +5. This overall score is their technical score.

Then a program component score is added which ranges from 0.25 to 10 in five different categories to create a total score. The scores for their free skate and short program are added to determine their final ranking.

So, get off your couch and stop watching figure skating on your couch, drive over to the C&O Canal, put on your skates, and get to skating and jumping.

Because you never know, the canal could be your pathway to Olympic fame! • GRAPHIC BY CLARE BATES

El Beacon

ESPAÑOL

16

El futuro del equipo de sofbol sigue siendo incierto Estefania Mora Editora Adjunta

El softball no se gana solo con un buen swing o un lanzamiento preciso. Se gana con confianza, estrategia y liderazgo.

Aunque muchos lo reducen a un deporte simple, quienes pisan el diamante saben que el softbol es una comunidad donde se forjan lazos, se toman decisiones clave en segundos y se exige una mentalidad ganadora. Nada de esto ocurre por casualidad. Detrás de cada equipo exitoso hay una figura indispensable: el entrenador.

La primavera pasada, el entrenador d e l e q u i p o, D a v i d Thompson, también conocido como el ‘chico del servicio de asistencia técnica’, se jubiló al final de la temporada 20242025. Desde que asumió el cargo en el 2017, Thompson cosechó un éxito continuo.

Bajo su liderazgo, el equipo logró obtener un récord de 6-1-1, fue clasificado en sexto lugar en toda la liga y consiguió

ganar el campeonato de la DCAA por décima tercera vez. Además, cada dos años, él se encargaba de organizar viajes a Puerto Rico, donde el equipo viajaba a la isla durante las vacaciones de primavera y competían contra equipos locales.

Tras su jubilación, el decano Boone, o como muchos de ustedes lo conocen ‘el entrenador del equipo de baloncesto femenino’, asumió el cargo, siendo

su primer año como entrenador principal de softbol. El crea planes de entrenamiento cada semana y motiva al equipo a alcanzar su máximo potencial. Durante el comienzo de este nuevo ciclo, estamos entusiasmados por ver su influencia en la comunidad del softbol. Sin embargo, aún nos mantenemos escépticos sobre lo que le depara al futuro de nuestro equipo en la liga.•

GRAFICO HECHO POR CARYS GRAY

JUEVES, 12 DE FEBRERO, 2026

¡Criar hijos bilingües es un regalo!

Estefania Mora Editora Adjunta

¿Alguna vez te has sentido juzgado por hablar tu propio idioma?

Muchos crecemos pensando que hablar español es vergonzoso.

Desde pequeños, nos hacen creer que nuestro acento debe ser ocultado porque no está a la “moda” o no cumple con los estándares predeterminados por la sociedad estadounidense.

Muchos padres no les enseñan español a sus hijos porque temen que ellos se enfrenten a los prejuicios y el rechazo que ellos sufrieron. Otros no lo hacen porque no se sienten lo suficientemente capacitados para enseñarles. Sin embargo, todas estas decisiones nacen del miedo y se encuentran muy lejos de la realidad.

Tanto el español como cualquier otro idioma no son obstáculos para integrarse a la cultura estadounidense; lo verdaderamente limitante es cohibirse de hablarlos, ya que expresarse en varios idiomas nos abre oportunidades inigualables.

Por ejemplo, las empresas transnacionales buscan personas que hablen varios idiomas, a menudo ofreciéndoles mejores condiciones y salarios más

altos. Asimismo, ser bilingüe ayuda a mejorar el desempeño académico ya que en muchos casos es necesario hablar múltiples idiomas para poder estudiar o vivir en el extranjero.

Es importante recalcar que no existe un español “correcto”, y que uno no debe ser la persona más académica para enseñarlo. Cada acento y mezcla de dialectos refleja una historia y una identidad que debe ser respetada y reconocida.

Enseñar el español a nuestros hijos, aunque no sea perfecto, es una forma de inculcarles que nuestra lengua vale. Los niños tienen la capacidad de aprender diferentes idiomas al mismo tiempo sin que esto afecte su aprendizaje, de hecho, es una ventaja. Ser bilingüe nos ayuda a mejorar nuestra memoria y nos permite adaptarnos a diferentes entornos de manera más eficaz.

Hablar más de un idioma no solo fortalece el vínculo con nuestras raíces y cultura, sino que también potencia nuestras capacidades cognitivas y emocionales.

Criar hijos bilingües es un acto de amor y orgullo, una herencia que sobrepasa generaciones y celebra la diversidad. Enseñar un idioma es regalar una vida más rica, una mente más abierta y un futuro lleno de posibilidades.•

Cómo Juan Soto pasó de ser un talento dominicano al contrato más grande en la historia del béisbol Avani Patel Peyton Shum Editora de Features Editora de Opiniones

Por más de una década, casi el 30% de todos los jugadores de béisbol han sido Latinoamericanos. Sin embargo, hay uno que destaca entre los demás: Juan Soto.

Durante su carrera, Soto ha ganado millones de récords y es un icono para jugadores de béisbol por el mundo.

Juan Jose S o t o Pa c h e c o nació en Santo Domingo, en la República D o m i n i ca n a el 25 de Octubre de 1998.

S u padre, J u a n S o t o (padre), fue un jugador de b éisb ol de ligas menores que presionó a Soto y a su hermano menor, Elian, a jugar al béisbol. Durante su niñez, Soto recibió clases de inglés en casa enseñadas por su

madre, Belkis Pacheco.

A los 12 años, empezó a tomar un curso para mejorar su nivel en el idioma, pero le resultó muy difícil y abandonó las clases. Sin embargo, en 2015, participó en el programa de formación en línea de la Academia Dominicana de los Washington Nationals, donde perfeccionó su inglés.

Durante su tiempo en la República Dominicana, Soto jugó para equipos diferentes antes de ser

catalogado como el prospecto número 42 durante la temporada de 2017.

El firmó con los Nationals en 2018, con una bonificación por fichaje de 1,5 millones de dólares.

El 20 de mayo de 2018, empezó su carrera en el béisbol de las grandes ligas (MLB), convirtiéndose en el jugador más joven de la liga con tan solo 19 años y el jugador más joven de las ligas, rompiendo el récord de Ken Griffey Jr. en 1989 por recibir una base por bolas intencionales en un partido.

Jugó para los Nationals por cuatro años, de 2018 a 2022.

Durante su tiempo con los Nationals ganó muchos premios, incluyendo el Premio Babe Ruth

e n 2019 y el Título de bateo de la Liga Nacional en 2020. Fue un AllStar cuatro veces y un Silver Slugger seis veces. Además, en 2019, ganó un World Series con los Nationals. Por si eso fuera poco, en 2019 Soto pasó a ser el

cuarto jugador en la historia del béisbol de la MLB en registrar 100 extrabases antes de cumplir los 21 años.

En 2022, Soto cambió de equipo a los San Diego Padres, rompiendo los corazones de todos los aficionados de los Nationals. Tras el gran traslado, ganó el MLB Home Run Derby.

Después de solo estar con los Padres por un año, cambió de equipo otra vez, este tiempo a los New York Yankees.

Su contrato con los Yankees se valoró en $31

A día de hoy, Soto ha conseguido 244 jonrones y m á s d e 9 0 ba s e s ro ba da s.

Actualmente, tiene el contrato más grande en la historia del béisbol profesional, valorado en 765 millones de dólares por 15 años con los New York Mets.

Soto no es el único jugador de béisbol en su familia ; su hermano menor, Elian Manuel, juega ahora para los Washington Nationals.

Más allá de sus impresionantes estadísticas, Juan Soto se ha convertido en un símbolo de orgullo para la comunidad afro-latina. Aunque ha jugado para varios equipos a lo largo de su carrera, Soto ha dejado una huella imborrable e n ca da c i u da d d o n d e h a jugado. Su éxito inspira a nuevas generaciones y demuestra que el talento y la determinación no tienen fronteras.•

GRAFICO HECHO POR CARYS GRAY

millones de dólares. En 2025, fue negociado a los New York Mets y continua a jugar por ellos hasta hoy. Esta temporada ha bateado un promedio de .263, ha conectado 43 jonrones y ha robado 38 bases.

JUEVES, 12 DE FEBRERO, 2026 • EL BEACON

ESPAÑOL

17

Venezuela tras la captura del dictador Nicolas Maduro Alex Garcia Genesis Angarita Editor Adjunto Colaboradora

El mundo entero quedó boquiabierto, incluyendo la comunidad de nuestro colegio, tras la captura del infame Nicolás Maduro. Después de 26 años del chavismo en el poder en Venezuela, primero con Hugo Chávez y luego con Maduro, el país llegó a uno de sus momentos más clave para la libertad.

Durante 26 años Venezuela ha enfrentado una crisis muy grande marcada por elecciones fraudulentas, represión política, escasez de alimentos y medicinas, con la salida de millones de venezolanos del país.

Las tensiones crecieron al paso de los años debido a la falta de libertad y las condiciones difíciles que enfrenta el país.

Ya casi hace dos años ocurrieron las elecciones presidenciales de 2024 que

fueron denunciadas por la oposición, por la población y por varios países por ser fraudulentas, lo que provocó protestas y un aumento de las denuncias por violaciones a los derechos humanos en el país.

El sábado, tres de enero del 2026, las fuerzas de Estados Unidos llevaron a cabo una operación en Caracas y capturaron a Nicolás Maduro y su esposa. Fueron trasladados a Nueva York para enfrentar la justicia.

Aunque el chavismo sigue en el gobierno, este suceso provocó reacciones dentro y fuera de Venezuela. Líderes de la oposición como María Corina Machado aprovecharon este momento para pedir una transición hacia la democracia, la liberación de presos políticos, y el respeto de los derechos humanos, con la esperanza de un cambio pacífico después de tantos años de crisis en el país.

Por otro lado, Venezuela

es un país lleno de muchas riquezas, como minerales, petróleo, oro y diamantes, junto a una rica biodiversidad haciéndola rica en agricultura, como el cacao, azúcar, algodón y ganadería. Recursos que, con el comienzo del mandato de Chávez, se empezaron a expropiar, incluyendo empresas y compañías que contribuyen al país, como las industrias petroleras, haciendo que el país empezara a caer en un declive.

Esto provocó la pérdida de muchos empleos y abrió las puertas a la corrupción y mala administración de los recursos, afectando aún más la economía y la vida de los venezolanos.

Además, según el Foro Penal, desde 2014 se han registrado más de 15,800 detenciones arbitrarias por motivos políticos, muchas de ellas durante protestas y oposición al gobierno. Según informes de Human Rights Watch y Amnistía Internacional, estas detenciones han ido

acompañadas de torturas, tratos crueles y desapariciones forzadas, y se han documentado casos de ilegales sin juicio, y violencia estatal contra manifestantes y críticos del régimen.

Según estadísticas de diferente organizaciones independientes, más de 7,9 millones de venezolanos han abandonado el país debido a la crisis política, económica y social, mientras que aproximadamente el 86 % de la población vive en pobreza y más del 70 % en pobreza extrema, con un salario mínimo que no alcanza ni para cubrir las necesidades básicas de una persona.

También, según monitoreos de derechos humanos también ha habido casos más comunes de censura, bloqueos de medios de comunicación, y ataques a la libertad de expresión.

Estas cifras reflejan la profunda crisis de derechos humanos y el colapso político,

económico y social que enfrenta Venezuela bajo un régimen autoritario. Afortunadamente, el treinta de enero, la presidenta interina de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, anunció una ley de amnistía que podría llevar a cabo la liberación de cientos de presos. El Foro Penal afirmó haber verificado la liberación de más de 300 presos políticos desde el ocho de enero.

En general, la captura de Nicolás Maduro representa un momento histórico para Venezuela, pero no significa que todos los problemas del país se resolverán rápido. El futuro de Venezuela dependerá de una transición donde haya elecciones libres, y el respeto a los derechos humanos. Aunque el proceso será lento y difícil, muchos venezolanos mantenemos la esperanza de que el país pueda reconstruirse y avanzar hacia una sociedad más justa, democrática y en libertad.•

Encuesta sobre la situación en Venezuela Alex Garcia Genesis Angarita Editor Adjunto Colaboradora

La comunidad venezolana en Jackson-Reed respondió a las siguientes preguntas: ¿Qué opinas de la captura de Nicolás Maduro?

Parte de la comunidad que entrevistamos coincide en el 100% con el hecho de que hay

esperanza, pero también mucha incertidumbre sobre lo que viene y que sinceramente hay un sentido de alivio de saber que nuestro país está libre de un dictador que ha llevado a la decadencia el país por años, pero la manera de cómo pasó es alarmante. ¿Cuál crees que será el mayor impacto en Venezuela después de este suceso?

Acerca de esta pregunta hay opiniones divididas como: “Creo

DCPS reabre en medio del hielo Avani Patel Adrian Pinto Elvira Editora de Features Editor Adjunto

El domingo pasado, el 25 de enero, DC tuvo una de las peores tormentas de nieve de los últimos años. Pero, en lugar de ser una tormenta de nieve con copos ligeros y esponjosos, la nieve se convirtió rápidamente en hielo y granizo después de caer, lo que provocó el cierre de las escuelas públicas de DC (DCPS) y luego retrasos de dos horas para el comienzo de las clases.

Sin embargo, la decisión de reabrir las escuelas generó críticas tanto de estudiantes como de profesores. Cuando se publicó en la cuenta de Instagram de DCPS que las escuelas reabrieron el jueves, la sección de comentarios se llenó de respuestas de estudiantes que afirmaban que muchas aceras y calles cercanas a sus casas aún no habían sido despejadas de nieve. DC News informó que, debido a "varios días de temperaturas bajo cero, el hielo se había congelado por completo, lo que hacía que caminar fuera peligroso en algunas zonas".

También, muchos padres expresaron su indignación por la incapacidad de DCPS para despejar adecuadamente las carreteras. WUSA informó que

"las aceras prácticamente no existen en este momento [...] podríamos esperar que la calle estuviera transitable, pero la calle es una capa de hielo". Además, si bien el retraso de dos horas ayudó a algunos estudiantes a llegar a la escuela, muchos padres comprendieron que sería peligroso y decidieron que sus hijos se quedaran en casa.

Según las directrices de DCPS y las leyes estatales, los estudiantes deben cumplir con un mínimo de 180 días escolares al año. Para cumplir con este requisito, DCPS suele añadir días adicionales al final de cada año académico para garantizar que los estudiantes alcancen el mínimo exigido. Esto significa que, lamentablemente, se añadirán días extras al calendario escolar.

Si bien a muchos nos gusta la nieve, cuando se convierte en hielo deja de ser inofensiva y pasa a ser peligrosa. Aunque es comprensible que DCPS quiera mantener la estabilidad académica de los estudiantes, también es necesario priorizar la seguridad. Obligar que los alumnos viajen en condiciones peligrosas les expone a riesgos innecesarios que podrían evitarse priorizando el bienestar de toda la comunidad escolar.•

que habrá bastante inestabilidad al principio, pero también una oportunidad para que el país empiece a cambiar,” decía estudiante Betsabet Castellanos; o otras como: “Espero que las políticas cambien a lo mejor, que la gente no tenga que sufrir [los venezolanos] más. Pero lo más probable es que todos los recursos naturales sean explotados.” decía estudiante Martin Aponte. ¿Piensas que deberían realizarse elecciones pronto

o primero debería haber una transición?

La gente está de acuerdo que primero debería haber una transición bien organizada antes de realizar elecciones, lo cual llevaría a escoger un buen líder temporalmente hasta que se pueda establecer un buen gobierno. ¿Consideras que la liberación de los presos políticos es un paso clave hacia la libertad y la democracia?

Como comunidad la mayoría estuvo de acuerdo con que sí, la liberación de los presos políticos es un paso muy importante para avanzar hacia la libertad y la democracia. ¿Crees que el régimen caerá por completo o que el cambio será lento?

El 100% está de acuerdo en que el cambio no será inmediato, sino un proceso lento pero necesario para Venezuela.•

Sabores de Perú Vicky Encarnacion Colaboradora

En los últimos años, la comida peruana ha conquistado el mundo, convirtiéndose en una tendencia gastronómica global.

El ceviche, por ejemplo, evoca el verano, la playa y reuniones entre amigos, su frescura y acidez lo hace ideal para los días calurosos.

Por otro lado, el lomo saltado de res es un plato que se disfruta durante todo el año, con su sabor intenso y su preparación tradicional convirtiéndolo en un icono de la cocina peruana.

Si no te gusta cocinar, ¡el ceviche es perfecto para ti! Es super fácil de preparar y dará como resultado una delicia. Para prepararlo necesitas pescado en filetes, limón, cebolla roja, cilantro, apio, ajo, ají amarillo, sal y pimienta. Primero, se corta el pescado en cubos pequeños y se pica la cebolla, el apio, el ajo y el cilantro. Después, se añade parte del jugo de limón al pescado junto con el apio picado, la sal y la pimienta, y se deja marinar por poco tiempo para que el pescado se quede fresco. Finalmente, se agrega el resto del jugo de limón, se mezcla bien con el resto de los

condimentos y se añade la cebolla picada y el cilantro. Para mejorar la experiencia, el ceviche se sirve con maíz, batata sancochada y granos de maíz tostado. Pero claro, el ceviche es un plato de verano y no de invierno.

Mientras tanto el lomo saltado de res se come en cualquier época del año.

L o s

sabores y la manera en que se prepara varían increíblemente. El secreto del sabor de la carne de res con ese jugo de especies es único en su sabor. El lomo saltado de res peruano es básicamente, como lo dice su nombre, saltear la carne de res en una sartén, junto con la

cebolla morada cortada en rodajas finas al igual que el tomate.

La preparación consiste en cortar el filete de lomo de res en rodajas finas y se deja reposar con orégano, y sal. Luego los ingredientes de compañía del lomo son la cebolla morada en rodajas gruesas y el tomate de la misma manera. Tambien se le agrega perejil que esta picado muy fino y rodajas grandes de aji amarillo. Para empezar se pone en la sartén aceite caliente, se echa la carne que sude y luego se fríe. Una vez que está la carne frita/cocida, se agrega la cebolla y el tomate, junto con sal, pimienta al gusto y un poquito de vinagre de manzana. Algunas personas le agregan salsa de soja. Se deja que sude la mezcla de la carne, cebolla y tomate con las especies y luego se agrega el perejil y las rodajas grandes de aji amarillo. Algunas recetas del lomo le agregan un poquito de pisco para que el lomo de res tenga un sabor de ahumado, pero es muy opcional.

Si deseas traer un pedacito de Perú a tu mesa, no tengas miedo a probar estas recetas. ¡Te aseguro que serán todo un éxito!• GRAFICO HECHO POR CARYS GRAY

The Beacon

GAMES

18

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

NEXT BEACON INTEREST MEETING: MARCH 16 @ LUNCH IN RM. 210

Make sure you have

READ FURST before you do the

BREAD FURST sponsored games

MINI CROSSWORD

By Meredith Page

BEACON MAZE can you find your way out?

ACROSS 1 Baller’s league 4 ___ Coachman: the first Black woman to win gold in the Olympics 7 Bit of gossip 8 Origins 9 Emmy-nominated Issa DOWN 1 Makeup brand known for its risqué product names 2 Down 3 Archer, at times 5 2022 Best Picture winner 6 Gaelic tongue

CROSSWORD By Ben Holland 15 Response’s partner ACROSS 16 *What Grimace, 1 One in an archipelago Barney, and Prince 5 Sail supporter all have in common 9 Neatnik’s opposite 13 Long running CBS crime 19 “___ have thunk it?”

20 Young goat drama 21 DC charter school 14 Opera solo

22 Unagi, at a sushi bar 23 Crystal ball, e.g.

24 Portable shelters made of buffalo skin 26 What all of the starred clues have in common 29 Ones to be avoided at a party

30 Mulan’s antagonists 31 Fire starter?

34 “Screw it!”

35 Leaves behind 37 Like a Jayden Daniels throw 38 Nathan Hale, e.g.

39 This or ___ 40 A knight’s distinguishing quality 41 *Phrase/acronym popularized by Tupac 44 Knocks off track 47 Cold rapper intro 48 Boyz II ___ 49 Right’s opposite 50 Earth Day mo.

51 Lee known for desserts 52 *France, to the US 56 Religious ritual 57 Home, to a fish 58 What starts mobile?

59 Own (up) 60 Typist’s left hand home keys 61 SoCal home of the Aztecs DOWN 1 Privy to information 2 Like many JacksonReed students 3 What Pinocchio did to make his nose grow 4 Upper-left key 5 California seaside home of the stars 6 Former Yankees slugger, briefly 7 Madam’s counterpart 8 Water source 9 Throws in the towel 10 A ___ in judgement

11 Basic skateboarding trick 12 Give approval 17 Gumbo vegetable 18 Alternatives to taxis 19 Annual online awards 23 Greenlights 24 Sound of a fall 25 Ages 27 Corp. honcho 28 Uknown angle symbol 31 Wawa and 7-Eleven, eg.

32 “We’re so done!”

33 Sister of Venus 35 ___ Silverstein 36 Chuckles 37 Bull and hound tail?

39 Dark meat location 40 Shade 41 French aunts 42 Start to a basketball game 43 Beige’s cousin 44 One of Snow White’s 7 friends 45 Bert’s bestie 46 *Underground tree network 50 What 33-down did to opponents 4642 times 51 Cool guy 53 Feminists’ dashed dream, abbr.

54 Hi-___ monitor 55 “Illmatic” rapper

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

GAMES

BEACONNECTIONS

Find groups of 4 that share something in common!

!ANSWERS! Windy, Icy, Snowy, Slippery (Winter conditions) Hurricane, Typhoon, Monsoon, Tornado (Weather events) Frosty, McFlurry, Concrete, Blizzard (Fast food dairy treats) Saturn, Frisky, Wedding, Sundae (Words that start with days of the week abbreviations)

Jackson-Reebus Historic African AMerican figures

19

Horoscopes Aries- You will slip and fall in front of your valentine, blame Bowser not us.

Taurus- You’re going to win the SGA intermural league all by yourself.

Gemini- Live the chud lifestyle. Feel no shame #yolo Cancer- Take inspiration from Alex Honnold and free solo the Washington Monument.

Leo- Your destiny is to become a professional Scrabble player.

Virgo- You will NOT get boiled in soup next Thursday.

Libra- Have you heard of Heated Rivalry? Give it a watch twin.

Scorpio- Druski will invite you to be part of his next skit Sagittarius- If you were to stop sneezing completely, how long do you think it would take you to notice?

Capricorn- You’re going to be traded to the Wizards...

Aquarius- Be the penguin.

Pisces- Trevor Noah quit, you need to step up and host the Grammys next year!

SPELLING BEECON

Find as many words as you can! Words must be at least 4 letters long and use the center letter at least once.

Letters can repeat.

SUDOKU

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 • THE BEACON

KIDS IN THE HALL

Who’s your dream valentine?

Transformers Megan Fox Jack Klein, 11

Callum Turner Tinsley Barmeyer and Jocie Woods, 9

Stiles from Teen Wolf Skylin Deleon, 10

Can’t say but my friend knows Joy Brown, 11

Ben Shapiro Roscoe Stutz, 12

Roscoe Stutz Ben Shapiro, 12

The editor-in-chief of The Beacon Jackson Alexander, 12

A million dollars Mara Gordus, 10

Shrek Maevyn Farrell, 9

My girlfriend Klemens Braunoehler, 12

Nick Wilde from Zootopia Raleigh Neustadt, 9

Elon Musk (need a sugar daddy) Luke Petry, 11