In 1990, Common Sense celebrated its 20th birthday. 1993 Common Sense graduates Ellen Robinson and Beth Kanter prove that Common Sense’s roots run deep, both individually and school-wide.
Without an online site, Common Sense in the ‘90s was centered around the physical newspaper: a true newspaper, folding and mostly black-and-white, as opposed to the current magazine, bursting with color. Out of the classroom, newspaper involved late nights spent at Gaithersburg print shop CompPrint. Akin to the current press days in room 242, late-night trips bonded the editorial board, creating life-long friendships. “We had so much fun. I remember playing Tetris in the back room instead of working on layouts, going out during lunch to ‘sell ads’ but really just go to the mall to get lunch,” viewpoint editor emeritus Kanter said.
Common Sense has not only passed down tradition, but passion. Reflecting the current publication, aspiring journalists underwent the semester-long journalism course before entering the publishing course. In contrast to the current ideals of Common Sense, students had to apply to be a staff writer, raising the class prestige. “As soon as I took [journalism], I remember saying to my parents ‘I love this class and I need to do a job where I can write,’” features editor emeritus Robinson said.
Unknown at the time, the topic and importance of an article stays forever in the memory of the writer. For Kanter, she used words to increase her proactivity. Out of years of articles, the ones that stuck out to her most were a music review of the Queen soundtrack for “Wayne’s World,” a review of Madonna’s book “Sex,” and an editorial disagreeing with fellow students’ hostile opinions of Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign. As for Robinson, her most prized article was a profile on the person this school’s baseball field was named in honor of, Buddy McCracken. According to Robinson, the article challenged her as a freshman who was new to writing for Common Sense, pushing her to explore the depth of being a journalist. Three years later, Robinson referenced that article and its impact on her in her college essay.
On the outside, partaking in newspaper may be seen as a one-way street: majoring in journalism and becoming a writer. Common Sense alumni prove that journalism can lead into any future path. Robinson majored in journalism at the University of Maryland, but knew she didn’t want to limit herself to just writing. She veered into public relations, finding a love for health communications: writing material on living healthier lives and working on campaigns. Kanter double majored in English and political science at Duke University, a school without a journalism program. Kanter is now a public affairs consultant, using communication to move policy, and pitching stories to reporters to spread their message. “The writing and editing skills I learned in newspaper are put to use every day,” Kanter said.
Each name on the aged paper carries the Common Sense legacy. Not only does each graduate carry it, but it carries forward to future generations of reporters for this school.
