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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

Maddie Barron

Maddie Barron, Magazine Editor & Assistant Opinion Editor

Maddie Barron (she/her) is a junior WLP major with a minor in journalism. She serves as editor for the Beacon Magazine and assistant editor of the opinion section. Maddie is an It Girl, philanthropist, lover, gardener, and the Princess Diana of Goose Creek, SC.
Latest from Maddie Barron
"The Teacher" (2023), dir. Farah Nabulsi. Courtesy Boston Palestine Film Festival

‘A form of resistance’: Boston Palestine Film Festival showcases Palestinian voices

By Maddie Barron, Magazine Editor & Assistant Opinion Editor / October 17, 2024
At the forefront of the Boston Palestine Film Festival, now entering its 18th year of operation, a vast array of Palestinian stories ranging from family histories to speculative utopias
Flooding reaches almost to the roof of a Wendy's restaurant in Asheville, NC, as the town is rocked by Hurricane Helene (Andrew Price / Courtesy).

‘There’s still people I haven’t heard from or know if they’re even alive’: Hurricane Helene devastates the South

By Maddie Barron, Magazine Editor & Assistant Opinion Editor / October 2, 2024
Down in the hollers and valleys of the southern Appalachians, thousands of people are underwater.
Emerson College LLC; The death of higher education

Emerson College LLC; The death of higher education

By Maddie Barron, Magazine Editor & Assistant Opinion Editor / August 28, 2024
The Emerson College we once knew is dead. It was dying long before April 25, but that morning was the coup de grâce. The atmosphere of the college is now almost unrecognizable. 

Letter from the Magazine Editor

By Maddie Barron, Co-Opinion Editor / April 20, 2024

Readers,  I knew I wanted this edition of The Berkeley Beacon Magazine to be about the United States, because selfishly I needed to create something...

Advice: How to survive the Ozempic Era

Advice: How to survive the Ozempic Era

By Maddie Barron, Assistant Opinion Editor / March 27, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. Dear Maddie,  It’s...

Illustration Rachel Choi

There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism; so let’s tear it down

By Maddie Barron, Co-Opinion Editor / March 6, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice.  “There’s...

A gal’s guide to love languages on Valentine’s Day

A gal’s guide to love languages on Valentine’s Day

By Maddie Barron, Co-Opinion Editor / February 14, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. Dear Maddie,  I’m...

ADVICE: We are SO back, but you have to believe it

ADVICE: We are SO back, but you have to believe it

By Maddie Barron, Co-Opinion Editor / January 24, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. Dear Maddie,  We’re...

Courtesy of Maddie Barron.

Do you even want us here?: Attending Emerson as a poor student

By Maddie Barron, Staff Writer / October 18, 2023

When Emerson announced its four percent tuition increase, the Emerson Student Union rightfully led the campaign to fight rising costs and lack of aid....

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

Looking back: Advice for incoming freshmen and sophomores

By Maddie Barron and Maddie Khaw / April 26, 2023

Dear Maddies, How has this year been for you both, navigating through freshman and sophomore year? What’s your crash course to surviving these years...

Attendees painting pots.

Campus organizations host Earthfest to reflect on sustainable strides

By Maddie Barron / April 26, 2023

Emersonians celebrated a year’s worth of sustainability strides and reflected on further increasing climate awareness at the 2022-23 Earthfest on Saturday,...

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

ADVICE: How do I know if someone is right for me?

By Maddie Barron and Maddie Khaw / April 19, 2023

Dear Maddies, I’m struggling with a new relationship, as I’m feeling some anxiety about whether this is the right person for me or not. How do you...

Brief site crash makes registration ‘unnecessarily stressful’ for sophomores

Brief site crash makes registration ‘unnecessarily stressful’ for sophomores

By Maddie Barron and Maddie Khaw / April 12, 2023

For many, course registration is a stressful event each semester, as students scramble to log in before their classes fill up completely. This semester,...

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

ADVICE: How do I become comfortable with solitude?

By Maddie Khaw and Maddie Barron / April 12, 2023

Dear Maddies, Ever since I started at Emerson, I’ve realized that I’m uncomfortable with doing things alone. I’m anxious to go places like the...

A Student Government Association meeting in spring 2020.

SGA to host spring elections at end of week

By Adri Pray and Maddie Barron / April 5, 2023

Candidates for the 2023-24 Student Government Association have spent weeks marketing their campaigns to the Emerson community, who will choose their representatives...

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

ADVICE: How do I cope with imposter syndrome?

By Maddie Barron and Maddie Khaw / April 5, 2023

Dear Maddies, I need some advice about imposter syndrome! Everywhere I turn at Emerson, everyone else seems to be doing more—and doing better—than...

Courtesy Jesse Barnett

Emerson’s historic “Jelly’s Last Jam” comes alive after four-year roadblock

By Meg Richards and Maddie Barron / April 5, 2023

Though the cast of “Jelly’s Last Jam” wasn’t mic'd, their powerful voices resonated throughout the Semel, echoing Emerson’s first all-Black musical’s...

EPI alum discuss their experiences at the conference.

Grads, professors discuss Emerson Prison Initiative

By Maddie Barron / March 29, 2023

The Emerson Prison Initiative held its first conference on Friday in the Bill Bordy Theater. The program, which offers incarcerated persons at the Massachusetts...

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

ADVICE: How do I avoid awkward encounters on campus?

By Maddie Barron and Maddie Khaw / March 29, 2023

Dear Maddies, How do I deal with seeing people I don’t like on campus? I keep seeing my enemies and exes everywhere I go.  Sincerely, Avoidant...

David Hogg addressing protesters in the Boston Common.

Activist David Hogg organizes gun regulation rally on Boston Common

By Maddie Barron / March 29, 2023

Dozens of local Boston students met at the Boston Common Parkman Bandstand with March for Our Lives in support of gun regulation on Saturday. The group...

St. Patrick's Day Parade crowd.

‘We’re out here having a great time’: South Boston hosts annual St. Patrick’s Day parade

By Maddie Barron / March 22, 2023

On Sunday, attendees of the 2023 South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade did not need the luck of the Irish to have a good time. Spirits were high, both...

Wellness Center to host Sexual Health Fair Friday

Wellness Center to host Sexual Health Fair Friday

By Maddie Barron / March 2, 2023

The Emerson Wellness Center will host the Come as You Are Sexual Health Fair on Friday, March 3, featuring a variety of activities for students to learn...

Cambridge City Hall displaying a Black Lives Matter banner next to an American flag, before signs of protest.

Hundreds rally for answers over fatal police killing of Arif Sayed Faisal

By Maddie Barron / February 15, 2023

College students across the Greater Boston area met Monday night on the steps of Cambridge City Hall as part of a coalition seeking justice from the deadly...

Emerson students can listen in to "The Round Room" podcast to be informed about international news by their peers, Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff.

[Photo] ‘From students, for students’: Students create podcast to inform about international events

By Maddie Khaw / February 15, 2023

Emerson students can listen in to "The Round Room" podcast to be informed about international news by their peers, Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff.

Protestors sitting outside of the State House.

‘I have no place to go’: Demonstrators push for rent control legislation at State House

By Maddie Barron / February 1, 2023

Residents from across Massachusetts met in front of the State House on Saturday to show support for proposed legislation that would allow cities the option...

Geoff Diehl gives his concession speech alongside running-mate Leah Allen.

Diehl concedes to Healey; his supporters don’t

By Maddie Barron / November 9, 2022

At the Boston Harbor Hotel, voters for former Massachusetts State Representative Geoff Diehl gathered to await what they hoped to be the election of another...

Ali Deva performing a tarot card reading.

Befriending a psychic: the inner-workings of mediumship

By Maddie Barron / October 26, 2022

Reverently resting in a box in Ali Deva’s apartment are her first set of tarot cards. These cards, bent and tattered from use, were bought by Deva in...

‘We need to do more’: diversity within Emerson and the class of ‘26

‘We need to do more’: diversity within Emerson and the class of ‘26

By Maddie Barron / October 19, 2022

Conversations surrounding racial and economic disparity within the Emerson community followed a series of mandatory meetings hosted by Emerson’s Division...

Trans flag waving in front of Boston Children’s Hospital.

Anti-trans protesters met with counter-protesters at Boston Children’s Hospital

By Maddie Barron and Chloe Els / September 21, 2022

Dozens of counter-protesters gathered outside of the Boston Children’s Hospital Sunday in response to the highly controversial visit of Canada-native...