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The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
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News
Rockshire Mall has been demolished and fenced off as the renovation process is underway. Photo courtesy The MocoShow
Rebuilding Rockshire: The plan
Sophia Shapiro, profiles editor • September 17, 2025
Students participate in games at the Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 29. "The event was really fun and students were able to make new friends, especially the freshmen," sophomore Hannah Yuan said. Photo courtesy Jenny Brailovsky
SGA welcomes students with Back-to-School Bash
Sofia Sklias, arts editor • September 15, 2025
In April 2024, Editors-in-Chief emeritus Maria Sofronas and Elizabeth Mehler visited four high schools, attempting to assess their security, which may have led to the implementation of an ID policy later that year. "While I'm sure wearing school IDs can be annoying, I'm happy to know that the work led to more safety," Mehler said. Image used with permission from Common Sense.
ID for all, caused by two?
Casen Linn, sports editor • September 13, 2025
The new PA system is located in the front office. The system adds new bell sounds and improvements. "It's going to take us some time to get used to it, but we are trying to make it work for all students and the community," Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic said.
New bell system brings changes
Shayna Fleischer, longform editor • September 12, 2025
Sports
Girls' cross country begins their race against Churchill on the stadium track on Sept. 9. Photo courtesy Luke Gabrielle
Off to the races: Cross country heads into season
Cameron Cowen, online editor-in-chief • September 16, 2025
The varsity girls' volleyball team wins 3-0 in their game against the Rockville Rockets on Sept. 11. The team is working hard to make it back to the state championship and come out victorious.
Girls’ volleyball sets up for new season
Helen Manolis, editor-in-chief • September 15, 2025
Varsity field hockey, led by coach Gina Britton, celebrates their first victory of the season against Clarksburg. “I really love the community we have within our team; practice is productive but always fun. Varsity field hockey is truly like a family,” junior defender Gabi Estrada said. Photo courtesy Wootton Field Hockey Instagram.
Field hockey starts strong, looks for bounce-back season
Catherine Bucsa, news editor • September 13, 2025
The Patriots had their season opener on Sept. 5 at Rockville, which resulted in a 37-26 win. Senior Josh Reid scored three touchdowns this game, including one late in the fourth quarter to seal the game. "Seeing Josh score three times was electric, especially because we got to see all the hard work he put in," sophomore Cormac Hull said. Photo by Keon Gray
New coach, new philosophy: Patriot football leaps forward
Alex Grainger, online editor-in-chief • September 12, 2025
Features
Sophomore Ansh Singh works on his AP Seminar work, which has built off of the summer work that he completed.
AP summer assignments spark mixed reactions from students
Zorawar Sodhi, sports editor • September 16, 2025
Senior Kai Schmelzer runs to home plate at English Field in Blacksburg, VA. Photo courtesy Kai Schmelzer
Summer opportunities: sports, internships, study abroad
Cyrus Kaz, staff writer • September 13, 2025
The BBQ Club yearbook photo from 2007. Photo used with permission from Fife & Drum yearbook.
Rating the top five BBQ club shirts ever
Evan Halpern, features editor • September 12, 2025
Senior Bryson Filbert fills out a job application for the same store where English teacher Zachary Lowe first worked. Lowe taught young children the basics of guitar during his time at the store. "I mostly worked with young kids who were just getting started. I've never been an advanced player," Lowe said.
Before the classroom: Teachers’ first jobs
Cameron Pietak, news editor • September 12, 2025
Opinion
The school's premier a cappella group, the Acatonics, learn the song "When Will I Be Loved," by Linda Ronstadt, during eighth period on Apr. 25 for an upcoming performance. "Part of high school is making friends, making connections, meeting new people, and stretching yourself, and I think extracurriculars give you an opportunity to do all those things," a cappella director Keith Schwartz said. Photo courtesy of Sierra Lease
Lack of funding for extracurriculars creates inequality
Rebekah Buchman, online editor-in-chief • September 17, 2025
The MCPS Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor are responsible for implementing and executing policies that impact MCPS students, staff and community members. This school year marks Taylor's second as superintendent, and has introduced changes in the county. "Dr. Taylor is a consequential figure in MCPS’ recent history. Given the school system’s recent challenges, its boundary study, its academic program analysis and its large budget increase this year, it was a good time to assess the start of Dr. Taylor’s tenure,” Adam Pagnucco, writer and founder of Montgomery Perspective, said. Photo used with permission from Wikimedia Commons
Superintendent Dr. Taylor’s leadership sparks change throughout county
Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor • September 17, 2025
The 2025-2026 Editorial Board Alex Grainger, Cameron Cowen, Helen Manolis, Emory Scofield, Ahmed Ibrahim, Rebekah Buchman, Marley Hoffman, Hayley Gottesman, Pragna Pothakamuri and Natalie Pak (Chase Dolan not pictured) respond to the new MCPS grading policy. “When something that used to be easy suddenly becomes harder, it can turn [students’] mindset negative, whereas making something easier usually has a better impact. I think that’s where a lot of the pushback comes from. But if you put emotions aside, I do think this change could help build stronger work ethic,” Ibrahim said.
Common Sense Responds: Editorial Board thoughts on new grading policy
Hayley Gottesman, editor-in-chief • September 11, 2025
The student section during one of the football games in the fall demonstrates school spirit.
Should student admission to sports games be free?
Evan Halpern, features editor • June 11, 2025
Profiles
School Business Administrator Arlin De La Rosa works at her desk on Jun. 3 during lunch. De La Rosa is in charge of the school's finances, building reservations and main office. "If you bring me a problem, we’ll find a solution; we’ll find some way to solve it. I think that’s my biggest drive every day," De La Rosa said.
No business done without Arlin De La Rosa
Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor • June 10, 2025
Sophomore Astrid Fishman displays a drawing of the Abandoned Realm, a location within her Dungeons & Dragons world/universe of Aturn. Aturn’s name came from fantasynamegenerators.com, as did the planet’s moon, Tidurn. The Abandoned Realm, in Fishman’s lore, is the first “universe” the gods created, before abandoning it due to magic becoming too powerful. The drawing is unfinished, but displays the Abandoned Realm’s signature Sun, which has turned black as it absorbs all magic in the realm.
Aturn: Astrid Fishman’s wonderful world
Nate Massey, staff writer emeritus • May 31, 2025
UMD freshman, and Wootton alum Gurnoor Sodhi takes photos before a Patriot football game in 2023.
Behind the lens: Gurnoor Sodhi
Blake Graham, staff writer • May 29, 2025
Dr. Julian Lazarus and drama club president Noam Avner present a certificate to sophomore Ace Kippola at the Drama Honor Society banquet. At these annual banquets, Lazarus inducts new members to the society and awards "Lazzies," student-voted awards based on performance throughout the year. “He’s one of the most experienced directors I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with more than a few. He does a great job creating a welcoming space. I’m gonna miss him,” Kippola said.
Dr. Julian Lazarus leaves monumental 5-year theater legacy
Liam Sloan, staff writer emeritus • May 26, 2025
Reviews
The Starbucks in Fallsgrove is where students get their favorite cold brew and coffee before the first period bell.
Chasing perfect cold brew
Sophia Shapiro, profiles editor • May 31, 2025
A poster advertising the newest Marvel movie, Thunderbolts, is displayed at AMC Rio Cinemas in Gaithersburg.
‘Thunderbolts:’ boom or bust?
Micah Felman, sports editor • May 28, 2025
"The Amateur," starring actor Rami Malek, is now playing at the AMC theaters in Rio.
‘The Amateur:’ Promising spy thriller falls short of expectations
Zorawar Sodhi, sports editor • May 28, 2025
Columns
2025 graduate and Managing Editor emeritus Inayat Thukral watches James Gunn's seventh feature film, "Superman," at the AMC theaters in RIO on July 14. Thukral said the immigrant framing of Gunn’s take on Superman felt natural, explaining, “He is an alien, but the movie shows that he still feels the same emotions and suffers the same struggles as everyone else, which makes the immigrant story framing feel necessary rather than forced.”
Truth, Justice, the Political Way: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ raises discussion
Ahmed Ibrahim, editor-in-chief • September 15, 2025
Senior Rayna Panikulam sits with her friends, seniors Leah Antony, Serena John and Ruthiga Veerasingham, at lunch on Monday, Feb. 24. Antony and John banter over what day graduation is while Panikulam and Veerasingham reminisce over senior sunrise. "I'm so grateful to have spent the last three and a half years surrounded by such beautiful and kind people and I'll cherish these moments for the rest of my life," Panikulam said.
Does romanticizing high school make senior year more painful?
Ahmed Ibrahim, opinion editor • February 27, 2025
Sophomore Amen Tekleab shows off her Valentine's Day gift from her friend during advisory Friday, Feb. 14.
What the world is reading: Romcoms for the season of love
Emma Karcz, managing editor • February 14, 2025
Arts
New theater director Keith Schwartz designs the promo for the fall production, "Suessical Kids." "I'm excited for this play because some of our current seniors performed it when they were in elementary school, and now they get to go back and perform it again," Schwartz said.
Theatrical turnover: Drama department has new leadership
Sami Karcz, back page and social media editor • September 15, 2025
Senior Sabina Blate's portfolio follows her theme of connecting to her cultures through change in pieces like this one.
Every line, stroke, mark counts; AP art students finalize their portfolios
Inayat Thukral, managing editor emeritus • May 9, 2025
Members of the cast finish their performance of "The Wizard of Oz" with a curtain call.
Patriot Players perform ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Cameron Cowen, online editor-in-chief • April 30, 2025
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