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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

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

Common Sense
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News
Students walk to their afternoon exam after a long morning of classes. Students this year were expected to go to school all day even if they had AP exams in the morning or afternoon. This is a change from previous years' policy.
New AP exam policy adds to student stress
Shayna Fleischer, longform editor • May 29, 2025
The MCPS process for selecting a principal was outlined to students at an engagement meeting in the main gym during lunch on May 23. The slideshow from the meeting (including this slide) was sent out to students and parents through Remind and highlights that the school is in the "Collect Input From Community" stage.
Principal interview process explained
Hayley Gottesman, editor-in-chief • May 29, 2025
A Brandy Melville display window on the store's opening day: Located on Rose Avenue in Pike & Rose, the shop is typically bustling with customers.
Ready your wallets: Brandy Melville comes to Maryland
Lale Olguin, features editor • May 22, 2025
Juniors Ryan Shin and Charlie Rollins were recently elected to become the SGA copresidents for the 2025-2026 school year.
SGA election concludes; new officers selected
Cameron Cowen, online editor-in-chief • May 20, 2025
Sports
Varsity baseball celebrates after their regional semifinal win against Damascus on May 10.
Varsity baseball wraps up season with regional final loss
Jack Sullivan, staff writer emeritus • May 26, 2025
The Salisbury Club baseball team celebrates in front of the scoreboard after a 5-4 win. Nick Jayner, number 24, played baseball and soccer at Wootton and now plays club baseball and soccer at Salisbury.
Club sports: perfect mix of competitive and fun
AJ Shiflett, sports editor emeritus • May 25, 2025
The 12 committed and signed senior student athletes celebrated at signing day on Apr. 30.
Senior athletes share collegiate futures at Signing Day
Matthew Xu, staff writer emeritus • May 25, 2025
On Oct. 13, 2024, Wootton alum and current University of Maryland soccer team member Kate Hawley and her team take a 2-0 win over the University of Nebraska. Hawley said she strove to have a smooth transition from high school to collegiate soccer.
High school and college sports: different worlds, different challenges
Annalise Yi, staff writer • May 24, 2025
Profiles
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
Editor-in-Chief emeritus, senior Alex Balian, helps Editor-in-Chief and junior Ahmed Ibrahim create the cover of Common Sense's print issue on May 12 during their third period Newspaper class.
Senior spotlight: Alex Balian makes a mark
Ahmed Ibrahim, editor-in-chief • May 23, 2025
Juniors Isabel Tang and Aaron Tian celebrate after a debate tournament at Harvard in February with their semifinalist trophies. Tian received the competition's fourth-best speaker award. The team finished the tournament, and the season, ranking seventh nationally.
Preparation is key for nationally-ranked debater Aaron Tian
Avni Koenig, staff writer • May 9, 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
Opinion
Juniors Megan Lomotan and Ryan Shin sing a cappella. Both Lomotan and Shin play sports, and also speak out on the importance of celebrating every talent such as music and other arts. "With a cappella, I’ve created lifelong friendships so expanding into musical activities can introduce you to new people you might not have become close with otherwise," Lomotan said.
Talent includes more than just athletics
Helen Manolis, editor-in-chief • May 28, 2025
According to PBS, no new malls have been built since 2006 due to a rise in online shopping. This is expected to lead to a decline in retail stores for consumers to shop in person.
Rise of online shopping creates harmful consequences
May 26, 2025
The University of Maryland Shady Grove Center is a calming place to be productive and to get school work done.
The power of public spaces: how studying outside home boosts productivity
May 23, 2025
Freshman Keira Winn said the benefit of smartwatches go beyond their looks. "I have the Garmin Forerunner 55 and I love it because it tracks all of my different activities," Winn said.
Are smartwatches beneficial, or simply a fashion distraction?
May 21, 2025
Reviews
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
May 28, 2025
Senior Anthony Derba looks at the MLB The Show mobile app for updates on his Diamond Dynasty team. "I love being able to get updates, open packs, and fix my team from anywhere even if I'm not on my console," Derba said.
MLB The Show: copy and paste or original product?
May 8, 2025
Caught between innocence and consequence, a young teen faces the harsh realities of adolescence behind locked doors.
Should Adolescence be your next must-watch — or skip?
May 7, 2025
Features
Junior Ryan Shin created a Spotify-inspired design for his campaign poster for SGA president.
How to campaign for student elections
Jack Weinstein, senior sports editor • May 30, 2025
Seniors Caitlin Doherty, Katie Reed, and Daniel Hudson celebrate being done with high school outside of their beach house on their first day of beach week at Bethany Beach.
Sunscreen, senior moments: Inside tradition of beach week
May 30, 2025
On May 6, a purge day, senior Emily Teague "assassinated" seniors Matthew Xu, Max Greenberg and Miles Sklar in the Fallsgrove parking lot.
Splashin: Future of senior assassin?
May 29, 2025
SGA works on May 28 to finalize plans for Patriot Field day taking place on Saturday, May 31.
Building a stronger school through community-centered classes
May 29, 2025
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