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The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

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The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

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Poll

What is the most entertaining spring sport?

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  • Thomas S. Wootton
    0
    North Hagerstown
    3
    Nov 16 / Girls Volleyball
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    20
    Magruder
    7
    Nov 14 / Football
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    3
    Howard
    0
    Nov 12 / Girls Volleyball
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    35
    Thomas Johnson
    21
    Nov 8 / Football
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    3
    Dulaney
    0
    Nov 8 / Girls Volleyball
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    3
    Magruder
    0
    Nov 6 / Girls Volleyball
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    13
    Damascus
    53
    Nov 1 / Football
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    3
    Watkins Mill
    0
    Nov 1 / Girls Volleyball
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    15
    Magruder
    20
    Oct 24 / Football
  • Thomas S. Wootton
    14
    Churchill
    0
    Oct 23 / Varsity Girls Flag Football
News
The Wootton Cluster team celebrates a hard-fought game against the Wizards. “It was really fun to play in front of my community while also raising funds for our amazing school,” senior Thomas Mehler said.
Harlem Wizards come to Rockville
Jack Sullivan, staff writer • April 7, 2025
Students handed out flyers during lunch for the peaceful protest planned to save the positions of art teachers being involuntarily transferred.
Teacher cuts leave students, staff frustrated
Inayat Thukral, managing editor • April 5, 2025
Sophomore Brady Devlin logs onto StudentVUE to check the classes that he is signed up for next year.
Lack of student interest, staff cause electives to not run
Micah Felman, staff writer • April 4, 2025
On Mar. 26, parents and students gathered on Wootton Parkway to protest the involuntary transfer of arts teachers and to show support for the arts. "I think the protest was very powerful, and I like the performances that [the band] did. I feel like the arts should keep their funding," freshman Edwin Lopez said.
Arts protest gives students, parents chance to voice concerns
Heerah Jayakumar, online editor in chief • April 4, 2025
Profiles
Junior Zaara Burnett officially commits to Ohio State University on Feb. 3 after receiving an offer during her visit to the school. Ohio State was one of Burnett's top five choices, and she is excited to start a new chapter of her life as a Buckeye in 2026.
Junior Zaara Burnett commits to Ohio State University
Helen Manolis, features editor • March 18, 2025
Junior Urielle Ngako shows her short film "#StudentsInYourFields" to junior Anna Nishnianidze on Mar. 14 in the back of the TV production room. While Nishnianidze watches the film, Ngako explains the creation process. "Urielle is extremely hardworking and perseverant, and she expresses these qualities on a day-to-day basis," Nishnianidze said.
#StudentsInYourFields: Urielle Ngako refuses to back down
Ahmed Ibrahim, opinion editor • March 16, 2025
Liv Resnick began riding horses at age five (left). Today, Resnick plans on furthering her education in equine management (right). "I completely fell in love with the animal and the sport and the type of people who are in that environment and that field, and I knew that this is something that I wanted to keep doing," Resnick said.
Liv Resnick pursues equine management after life-long passion for horses
Heerah Jayakumar, online editor in chief • March 13, 2025
Junior Olivia O’Connor represents DC Edge Junior Team USA as a synchronized skater. She is heading to Budapest during the middle of March to compete against other major synchronized skating teams. “The teams are judged and scored by the IS international judging system,” O’Connor said.
Oliva O’Connor glides to greatness
Becca Hwang, staff writer • March 11, 2025
Opinion
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks on Jan. 30 at his confirmation hearing to be appointed HHS Secretary. Kennedy has suggested allowing H5N1 avian influenza to ravage American poultry farms, as an experiment to identify birds which are immune, an idea which has been lambasted by scientists as disastrous. Kennedy is also allegedly reconsidering a federal government contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine.
The Trump administration dangerously mishandling bird flu
Avni Koenig, staff writer • April 7, 2025
Keeping the school cafeteria open throughout the entire day ensures that students have continuous access to nutritious meals, a comfortable space to recharge, and the opportunity to focus better on their learning without the distraction of hunger.
School cafeteria should be open throughout day for students, staff
April 5, 2025
Buses are used for field trips as well as getting student to and from school daily.
Want a frequently engaged community? Hold more field trips
April 3, 2025
Gavin Newsom has been the governor of California since 2019. Newsom has historically been a staunch supporter of progressive ideals and policies, including declaring that California would be a sanctuary for those seeking abortions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Behavior of Democrat figures is inexcusable
April 3, 2025
Decorative Background
Reviews
English teacher Zachary Lowe's favorite book to teach is "A Tale for the Time Being," by Ruth Ozeki, finding that the conversations he's had with his students have influenced his view of the novel. "You learn more about a book - and yourself - when you read it in conversation with other people. Students often bring fresh eyes to texts that I know quite well. It helps me to keep the text fresh and open and feel that it is alive, which is the way all great art should feel," Lowe said.
Magical realism to Shakespeare: English teachers’ favorite books to teach
Diya Khetan, news editor • April 8, 2025
"The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison is one of the banned books that highlights the devastating effects of racism. This story emphasizes the role that racism plays in societal beauty standards and self-worth, as the main character wishes to have blue eyes.
Read what they don’t want you to read: dissections of prejudice in American history
April 8, 2025
David Corenswet stars as the Man of Steel in DC Studio's "Superman," releasing July 11.
Preview of spring, summer blockbusters
March 28, 2025
Senior Anna Jeyachandran goes to Barnes and Noble on Mar. 18 to pick up her copy of the newest installment in the Hunger Games series, "Sunrise On The Reaping."
SPOILER ALERT: ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ shocks readers
March 27, 2025
Features
Egg prices have risen at the Safeway in Falls Grove. "I have not been buying as much eggs as I usually do because of the high prices," junior Bryson Filbert said.
Pricey eggs: the real reason why
Siena McCarthy, staff writer • April 9, 2025
Seniors Ashi Stanislaus, Maddy Matthew and Mikaela Ngo attend the University of Pittsburgh Admitted Student Day on Mar. 28. Stanislaus said, "Getting to talk to professors was really interesting and it gave me a good perspective on what classes would be like."
Uncommitted seniors attend admitted student days
April 8, 2025
The SGA Spring Project lasted a full month this year.
SGA Spring Project strengthens school community
April 8, 2025
Photography teacher Afua Kyeremeh works in style and comfort as she expresses her love for olive green through her outfit on Apr. 4.
Educating students with style, comfort
April 7, 2025
Columns
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
Junior Ahmed Ibrahim posts to his Instagram story on June 26, eating a Pop-Tart at the exact moment the third season of FX's "The Bear" dropped on Hulu and Disney+.
The three best TV shows of 2024
Ahmed Ibrahim, opinion editor • December 16, 2024
Perfect gifts to give to book-loving friends include a Kindle and bookmarks.
What the world is reading: Holiday gift guide for book lovers
Emma Karcz, managing editor • December 12, 2024
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