Skip to Main Content
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Jakob Menendez

Jakob Menendez, Magazine Editor

The passion I have for journalism stems from my need and desire to help illuminate the stories that spend most of their time in the shadows.My work focuses predominantly on human interest stories, as I’ve found that those are the stories that mean the most not only to the reader, but to the subjects themselves too. I take great pride in upholding the ethics of journalism, but also realize that there are facets of those standards which have long stigmatized some of the most vulnerable populations. As a multimedia journalist, I’m hyper aware of the impact my photos, videos, and audio can have on my audience, and I aim to produce content that offers them unique perspectives that challenge the preconceived notions they may have.

Email: Jakob_Menendez​@Emerson.edu

Latest from Jakob Menendez
The exterior of Paramount Theater on Washington Street.

[Photo] Warner Bros. brings ‘Sex’ to Emerson

September 27, 2024

The exterior of Paramount Theater on Washington Street.

Katherine Mancia, daughter of Maria's owner Cristian Mancia

[Photo] Maria’s Taqueria faces financial trouble amidst coronavirus pandemic

January 27, 2021

Katherine Mancia, daughter of Maria's owner Cristian Mancia

Katherine Mancia, daughter of Maria's owner Cristian Mancia

[Photo] Maria’s Taqueria faces financial trouble amidst coronavirus pandemic

By Ann E. Matica / January 27, 2021

Maria's employee Dinora Ochoa prepares Birria tacos.

The sun shone through the evergreens that are sprinkled atop Potash Hill.

[Photo] The Complete history of the Marlboro Merger

By Jacob Seitz / November 12, 2020

The sun shone through the evergreens that are sprinkled atop Potash Hill.

Marty Walsh speaks to reporters after casting a vote for Presidential Candidate Joe Biden at The Lower Mills branch of The Boston Public Library on November 3, 2020.

[Photo] Boston to move into Phase Three, Step One of reopening Feb. 1

January 26, 2021

Marty Walsh speaks to reporters after casting a vote for Presidential Candidate Joe Biden at The Lower Mills branch of The Boston Public Library on November...

Tris Arthur dropping off her absentee ballot application in the mailbox outside of the Colonial Theater.

[Photo] As the election begins, the college gets-out-the-vote

November 3, 2020

Tris Arthur dropping off her absentee ballot application in the mailbox outside of the Colonial Theater.

The car hit a pedestrian shortly after 4 p.m.

[Photo] Hit and run crash near Public Garden severely injures pedestrian

October 1, 2020

The car hit a pedestrian shortly after 4 p.m.

Magazine Editor: Reminiscing on my first year

Magazine Editor: Reminiscing on my first year

By Jakob Menendez / August 27, 2020

  I’m listening to Souk Eye by the Gorillaz while I write this. (You should play it for your new roommate if you want them to think you have...

One lone onlooker sitting in the lifeguard chair at Constitution Beach, watching planes take off and land at Logan Airport.

Five social-distance-friendly activities that don’t suck!

By Jakob Menendez and Diti Kohli / August 27, 2020

Welcome to a semester at Emerson with no dorm parties, shows, or sporting events. While the pandemic has thrown the traditional “college experience”...

Zeiana Andrade sitting on the steps of her parents’ Dorchester apartment.

[Photo] This city wasn’t made for us

By Melanie Curry / August 28, 2020

Commuters waiting at the Nubian Square bus station in Roxbury for the SL5 bus to Downtown Crossing.

A man walking past the W Hotel on Stuart St.

[Photo] W hotel to be used as temporary residence for more than 200 students

By Charlie McKenna / July 30, 2020

A man walking past the W Hotel on Stuart St.

The entrance to Emerson's Walker Building on Boylston St.

[Photo] New iVisitor system used for guest registration in academic buildings

October 5, 2022

The entrance to Emerson's Walker Building on Boylston St.

The college's positivity rate sits at 0.17 percent after 576 tests.

[Photo] Emerson reports 0.17 percent positive COVID-19 test rate out of 576 tests

August 20, 2020

The college's positivity rate sits at 0.17 percent after 576 tests.

Paramount residence halls are designated as a quarantine and isolation space in the fall for ill and exposed students.

[Photo] Non-residential students' visitation to be restored

January 17, 2022

Paramount residence halls are designated as a quarantine and isolation space in the fall for ill and exposed students.

Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

[Photo] Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

August 24, 2024

The Little Building residence hall.

The view of Tremont St. from Emerson's Walker Building.

[Photo] Emerson reports first positive COVID-19 case since April

August 17, 2020

The view of Tremont St. from Emerson's Walker Building.

Cut Short

Cut Short

The Beacon Magazine interviewed 16 different seniors to get their perspective on how the coronavirus pandemic upended their final year on campus. All of...

Holden Bender-Bernstein

Holden Bender-Bernstein

By Jakob Menendez / May 10, 2020

My first thought was, “Okay, how am I going to get home?” First of all, I felt overwhelming gratitude because I have a home to go to and that's not...

Left to right: Diego Torres, Claire Rodenbush, and Jehan Ayesha are the three candidates competing for the executive presidency.

[Photo] Three SGA executive president candidates compete to lead organization into a new era

By Andrew Brinker / April 26, 2020

Left to right: Diego Torres, Claire Rodenbush, and Jehan Ayesha are the three candidates competing for the executive presidency.

Diky Melville, general manager of The Fourth Wall, said the business will suffer greatly with students leaving at the preventative measures set by Gov. Charlie Baker

[Photo] Local restaurants struggle with new regulations and lack of college students

By Parker Purifoy, Digital Managing Editor / March 18, 2020

Diky Melville, general manager of The Fourth Wall, said the business will suffer greatly with students leaving at the preventative measures set by Gov....

The Potash Hill campus was sold in May for $225,000.

[Photo] Marlboro students say a premature goodbye to Potash Hill

By Jacob Seitz / March 16, 2020

The Potash Hill campus was sold in May for $225,000.

A student moving out of their dorm building.

[Photo] Students devastated after college decides to send them home

By Aaron J. Miller and Tomas Gonzalez / March 13, 2020

A student moving out of their dorm building.

Chris Van Buskirk, Editor, The Berkeley Beacon

[Photo] Letter from the Editor: The world is changing

By Chris Van Buskirk / March 13, 2020

Chris Van Buskirk, Editor, The Berkeley Beacon

“We recognize how difficult this decision is for our community, especially given that this is our last semester on Potash Hill,” Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley wrote.

[Photo] Marlboro to close dorms, transition classes online

By Jacob Seitz / March 13, 2020

“We recognize how difficult this decision is for our community, especially given that this is our last semester on Potash Hill,” Marlboro College President...

First year students left to right: Carrie Aubin, Chloe Shaar, Eva Charbonnnier, and Isabella Espejo, calling their parents about the college's decision to shut the Boston campus down.

[Photo] College asks students to leave dorms, moves ELA classes online

By Parker Purifoy and Chris Van Buskirk / March 13, 2020

First year students left to right: Carrie Aubin, Chloe Shaar, Eva Charbonnnier, and Isabella Espejo, calling their parents about the college's decision...

Students crossing the bustling Boylston/Tremont intersection.

[Photo] College transitions classes online, dorms to remain open amid COVID-19 outbreak

By Parker Purifoy and Chris Van Buskirk / March 10, 2020

Students crossing the bustling Boylston/Tremont intersection.

Marlboro College Senior Erelyn Griffin in her personal studio space on the Vermont campus.

[Photo] Emerson plans to create visual art studio spaces for incoming Marlboro faculty and students

By Emily Cardona / March 1, 2020

Marlboro College Senior Erelyn Griffin in her personal studio space on the Vermont campus.

The CDC wrote that, in 2018, over 3.6 million U.S. youth used e-cigarettes. Photo credit: Jakob Menendez

[Photo] Attorney General lawsuit against Juul draws positive reaction from some students

By Tomas Gonzalez / February 13, 2020

The CDC wrote that, in 2018, over 3.6 million U.S. youth used e-cigarettes. Photo credit: Jakob Menendez

Vesper smiling for a photo as she skied across the field.

Youth ski program at Marlboro serves as bright point as merger looms

By Jakob Menendez / February 12, 2020

MARLBORO, VT––The smell of marshmallows and chocolate roasting over the fire filled the air as Spencer Knickerbocker gathered all of the kids together...

The Marlboro College Campus laden with snow in early February.

[Photo] Marlboro College proposed merger with Emerson College on “expedited” track

By Melissa Rosales / February 9, 2020

The Marlboro College Campus laden with snow in early February.

“We remain determined that an agreement will be finalized in May by both Boards of Trustees and implemented by June 30th, and will provide a net benefit to Emerson College, from inception,” President M. Lee Pelton wrote.

[Photo] Marlboro still has restricted assets four months before the proposed merger

By Jacob Seitz / January 29, 2020

“We remain determined that an agreement will be finalized in May by both Boards of Trustees and implemented by June 30th, and will provide a net benefit...

A view of part of the old Marlboro College campus.

[Photo] Marlboro signs three new transfer agreements

By Jacob Seitz / January 22, 2020

A view of part of the old Marlboro College campus.

A lone traveler pulling their suitcase through the snow in the Boston Common.

[Photo] Optional four-week winter term to be launched remotely in December

October 5, 2020

A lone traveler pulling their suitcase through the snow in the Boston Common.

A snow blower clears the way for students to walk in the 2 Boylston Place alley.

[Photo] Welcome back to the reality of living in Boston

January 18, 2020

A snow blower clears the way for students to walk in the 2 Boylston Place alley.

Karthik Ramaswami ‘22, Amogh Matthews ‘22, Henry Tyndall ‘22, and Thomas Chadwick ‘22 plan to release first music video and new single for their band Sunsetta this January.

[Photo] "Pastel" punk band to release new single and music video in January

January 16, 2020

Karthik Ramaswami ‘22, Amogh Matthews ‘22, Henry Tyndall ‘22, and Thomas Chadwick ‘22 plan to release first music video and new single for their...

Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

[Photo] A look at fall 2019 through the lenses of Beacon photographers

By The Berkeley Beacon Staff / December 31, 2019

Community members gathered in the Semel Theatre to mourn sophomore Daniel Hollis on October 3. 2019.

Sophomore Nate Martin palms the basketball with ease in the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

[Photo] Sophomore leading the charge for the Lions

By Andrew Lin / December 4, 2019

Sophomore Nate Martin palms the basketball with ease in the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

Will Palauskas served at Executive Vice President during the fall 2019 semester.

[Photo] Palauskas joins SGA presidential race amid dropouts

By Andrew Brinker / December 4, 2019

Will Palauskas served at Executive Vice President during the fall 2019 semester.

Marlboro College President speaks to News Editor Parker Purifoy.

[Photo] Beacon announces partnership with Vermont newspaper

By Diana Bravo / November 21, 2019

Marlboro College President speaks to News Editor Parker Purifoy.

Emerson's Turning Point chapter hosted conservative speaker Gabriel Nadales on Wednesday. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

[Photo] Turning Point brings libertarian speaker Gabriel Nadales to campus

By Dana Gerber / November 21, 2019

Emerson's Turning Point chapter hosted conservative speaker Gabriel Nadales on Wednesday. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

Marlboro College and Emerson College both formed five working groups to hammer out details of the planned merger—two of these will focus on the future of Marlboro's campus. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

[Photo] Marlboro and Emerson establish respective working groups to proceed with merger

By Tomas Gonzalez / November 14, 2019

Marlboro College and Emerson College both formed five working groups to hammer out details of the planned merger—two of these will focus on the future...

For students, Marlboro is a home away from home

For students, Marlboro is a home away from home

By Jakob Menendez / November 14, 2019

The Berkeley Beacon interviewed students to learn what it means to live atop Potash Hill. Listen to their voices as they explain what it means to be a...

Marlboro College's On-the-Way building houses all graduate school operations. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

[Photo] Marlboro Graduate School facing imminent closure

By Andrew Brinker / November 14, 2019

Marlboro College's On-the-Way building houses all graduate school operations. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley sat down with The Beacon to discuss the Emerson-Marlboro merger. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

[Photo] A chat with Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley

November 14, 2019

Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley sat down with The Beacon to discuss the Emerson-Marlboro merger. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

Marlboro College junior Sally Fletcher works at a local coffeeshop in Brattleboro, Vermont / Jakob Menendez

[Photo] Marlboro College’s closure leaves community businesses concerned

By Belen Dumont / November 14, 2019

Marlboro College junior Sally Fletcher works at a local coffeeshop in Brattleboro, Vermont / Jakob Menendez

An Asset Transfer Agreement, signed by Emerson and Marlboro, revealed that Emerson expects to receive just over $20 million from the merger.

[Photo] The Marlboro College merger should be met with respect, not ridicule

By Editorial Board / November 13, 2019

An Asset Transfer Agreement, signed by Emerson and Marlboro, revealed that Emerson expects to receive just over $20 million from the merger.

Students play soccer at Marlboro college in early November. Beacon Archive.

[Photo] Merger fuels anxiety among Marlboro students

By Parker Purifoy and Chris Van Buskirk / November 7, 2019

Students play soccer at Marlboro college in early November. Beacon Archive.

Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley told The Beacon that students and staff at Marlboro's graduate school should have been aware of the school's track to closure.

[Photo] What we know and what we don’t about the Emerson-Marlboro merger

Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley told The Beacon that students and staff at Marlboro's graduate school should have been aware of the school's track...

Emerson anticipates massive losses during the 2020-21 fiscal year, ranging from $33 million to $76 million, President M. Lee Pelton said in a letter to faculty Monday.

[Photo] Emerson projects up to $76 million in COVID-19 losses

June 22, 2020

Emerson anticipates massive losses during the 2020-21 fiscal year, ranging from $33 million to $76 million, President M. Lee Pelton said in a letter to...