• 2022-2023 CSPA Crown Award Finalist
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

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief emeritus

Claire Lenkin is a 2025 graduate.

All content by Claire Lenkin
Senior Claire Lenkin reflects on some of the best moments in high school, including homecoming, newspaper press days, and sports games.

The soundtrack to my senior year

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief emeritus
May 22, 2025
Senior Max Rubinstein presents at the AP Research symposium on Apr. 26. For a year-long, work-intensive class like AP Research, students find it important to stay motivated each quarter.

The fourth quarter slump: is it inevitable?

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief emeritus
May 7, 2025
The Maryland State House has a legislative session from January to April, where they meet to pass new bills and take action.

The importance of engaging with local government: my day in Annapolis

Claire Lenkin, editor in chief
April 18, 2025
As I begin my 14th and final required reading book (pictured) of high school, I ranked a complete list of all my prior readings.

4 years, 11 books: the best and worst of required reading

Claire Lenkin, editor in chief
March 16, 2025
The Black Student Union put on their seventh annual showcase on Feb. 19 and their executive board recited the poem that inspired their theme, "The Bridge Called Our Backs: A Story of Pain and Triumph."

Black Student Union hosts 7th annual showcase: The Bridge Called Our Backs: A Story of Pain and Triumph

Claire Lenkin, editor in chief
February 28, 2025
Seniors Inayat Thukral and Yana Kohli explore the sights in Buenos Aires, Argentina, over winter break with a friend.

Doing the impossible: How to distract yourself from college decisions

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
January 22, 2025
Senior and BSU co-President Leila Khademian led a series of chants at the walkout after the first of the two pep rallies.

Black Student Union holds walkout to call attention to lack of change

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
December 6, 2024
As the presidency transfers from Joe Biden to Donald Trump, America's education system may experience major changes.

How will Trump’s education plan affect America?

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
November 19, 2024
Assistant Principal Dave O'Shell said he enjoys greeting students in the hallway and joining the school community.

New administrator O’Shell excited to make impact at school

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
November 1, 2024
The new bathrooms have the sinks positioned in the hallway and two larger handicapped stalls on the sides. This design has proved to be an incovenience as students get used to the new facilities.

New bathrooms disappoint, prove to be inconvenient

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
October 8, 2024
The JV football team practices on the new field after school on Sept. 12. The new turf is softer and more cooling, according to Athletic Director Al Lightsey.

Students, staff return to building improvements

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
September 17, 2024
The Black Student Union has started a social media campaign to spread awareness about the harm caused by this incident of racism.

Administrator fails to report racist incident; community left disappointed, hurt

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
June 13, 2024
While multiple site improvements are scheduled for the summer, areas of the school will remain in a state of disrepair, like the ceiling tiles pictured on the first floor.

Improvements to building scheduled for summer despite cancellation of full renovation plans

Claire Lenkin, editor-in-chief
May 28, 2024
On Wednesday, May 1, the wellness lesson featured a presentation in honor of Jewish-American heritage month and discussed the impact of Jewish Americans.

MCPS faces civil rights complaint over charges of antisemitism

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
May 3, 2024
The SGA is currently holding an AP, SAT and ACT textbook drive in room 181 completely free of charge. Students can donate books and/or take them for use.

Test prep can be worth paying high costs

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
April 18, 2024
Junior Lexie Lindauer fills up at one of the water fountains throughout school.

Clean water at school often taken for granted by students, staff

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
April 3, 2024
Free SAT and ACT test prep resources have become common in recent years, with sites like Khan Academy offering courses to help students study.

Test optional policies should be left behind

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
March 7, 2024
Junior Khairi Hyde plays in the first of the boys' basketball games vs Churchill on Dec. 20. This game ended in a close Patriot loss, which the team avenged on Feb. 5 with a win.

The school we love to hate: a background on the Churchill rivalry

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
February 14, 2024
MCEA, the Montgomery County, teachers union sent out an advisory email to members on Dec. 15 after multiple MCPS teachers were placed on leave for online statements.

MCPS sees rise in antisemitism from staff, students

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
January 18, 2024
The hockey team has two games coming up where they hope to pick up two wins.

Hockey team skates through first half of season

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
December 8, 2023
Congressional Plaza is a local favorite, featuring a variety of store and restaurant options.

A definitive guide to Rockville Pike

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
November 27, 2023
This memorial to people who have died in the area is in the border town of Sderot between Israel and Gaza. Sderot was one of the first towns attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Israel-Hamas War, explained

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
November 19, 2023
Freshman Liana Usman, senior Jane Lee and freshmen Hannah Chen and Hannah Hwa celebrated after one of the first golf matches of the season.

Golf team tees up for final matches, postseason

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
October 4, 2023
Juniors Ashi Stanislaus, Emma Yuan, seniors Rhea Chelar and Zo Singh with junior Madeline Eig are the SGA officers. The SGA officers demonstrate a larger school-wide trend of a majority female leadership.

Gender inequalities have widespread presence at school

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
September 16, 2023
Principal Doug Nelson celebrates with students during a boys' basketball playoff game this year.

Students, staff reflects on past year at school

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
May 29, 2023
Assignments in world language classes tend to be based on readings or writing, not interactive activities which can be more effective.

World language education needs change for students to learn effectively

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
May 11, 2023
Sportswashing has been prevalent throughout history, with the earliest example dating back to the ancient Greeks.

The dangerous game of sportswashing

claire lenkin, arts editor
March 29, 2023
Civil Rights Movement co-founder David Abernathy marches with Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis bans AP African American Studies class

claire lenkin, arts editor
February 14, 2023
Sophomores Gabi Wallace, Rachel Reinstein and Eva Veizis look at ChatGPT in honors health.

ChatGPT, write an article about yourself

claire lenkin, arts editor
January 11, 2023
A protester fights for more gun law reform at a protest in New York during 2020.

When Will It End?

Claire Lenkin, arts editor
December 16, 2022
The Woottonettes perform at the homecoming pep rally on Sept. 16, hyping up students and staff.

Shutting down the rumor mill: Woottonettes are here to stay

Claire Lenkin, arts editor
December 2, 2022
Rehearsals for Clue take place in the auditorium after school.

A clue into the Patriot Players’ fall production

Claire Lenkin, arts editor
October 21, 2022
Principal Doug Nelson dances with the HLSU (Hispanic-Latino Student Union) at the homecoming pep rally.

Principal Nelson speaks on new school policies, mental health

Claire Lenkin, arts editor
September 24, 2022
Freshman Madeline Eig and sophomore Will Bland look at photos from this year's Met Gala. "I enjoyed the reporter's dress because she was the only person who followed the theme accurately," Eig said.

A definitive Met Gala 2022 best, worst dressed list

Claire Lenkin, arts editor
May 23, 2022
New Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson faced questions on hot-topic issues like abortion, gender and critical race theory during her confirmation hearings. She also faced questions from Senator Ted Cruz about her position on the Georgetown Day School Board of Trustees.

Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s SCOTUS hearings lead to confirmation

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
April 25, 2022
Inventing Anna was released onto Netflix on Feb. 11. The series shot up to number one and has remained in the top 10 since. While the show has received mixed reactions from critics, due to accusations of glamorizing crime, it has still broken viewership records.

Inventing Anna: a look into how a life of lies was found out

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
March 19, 2022
Coachella has also enlisted new contemporary artists to create fixtures to display on the campgrounds. The festival has been widely praised for its opportunities for unknown artists.

Coachella 2022: Don’t be sad about this lineup

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
February 19, 2022
English teacher Nicholas Confino hard at work in between classes.

Confino rocks on: his journey from road manager to English teacher

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
January 10, 2022
Stylists on Gossip Girl created new trends and experimented when coming up with the characters' outfits.

Trendsetter vs follower: comparing the old and new ‘Gossip Girl’

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
December 15, 2021
Taylor Swift performs on her original Red tour in 2013.

Taylor Swift releases much-anticipated album

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
November 17, 2021
Model United Nations club meets to work on a speaking activity.

Model United Nations club inspires leadership, global awareness in members

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
November 4, 2021
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