• 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

Ellie Mollica, Online Editor-in-Chief

Ellie is a 2024 graduate.

All content by Ellie Mollica
Senior Ellie Mollica (bottom center) celebrates boys' basketball winning the regional championships against Blake on Mar. 5 with the cheerleading team. Mollica reflects on her time with the team as she begins looking toward graduation.

Senior reflection: Reading through my past journal entries

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
May 22, 2024
Students began to worry as a Washington Post article was published on Thursday, Apr. 18 at the start of sixth period, about a former student who had made threats toward the school, according to police.

Students, staff share safety concerns after school shooting threat

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
April 25, 2024
The National Honor Society gathers at a courtyard cleanup on Aug. 23. NHS is one of the few organizations at this school that do not hold interviews to be a part of their club, and instead only submit applications that are approved by the sponsor.

Student leadership changes raise questions of bias when choosing members

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
April 18, 2024
Junior Rebecca Gao runs the Patriot Minds Matter booth at the club fair on Sept. 26. The club fair offers over 100 clubs to students, encouraging students to sign up using candy and other free giveaways.

Extracurricular activities: more than just resume builders

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
March 23, 2024
SMOB candidates were finalized on Feb. 14 as Sam Ross, a junior at Montgomery Blair, and Praneel Suvarna, a junior at Clarksburg. SMOB elections will take place on Apr. 17.

SMOB nominees finalized

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
February 28, 2024
Senior Ellie Mollica reflects on the difficulty of traveling around the school with crutches.

Sharing the hallways: my experience using crutches in high school

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
February 19, 2024
Poms celebrates their first-place victory at the Northwest invitational on Jan. 27.

Poms concludes best season in years; place third in county

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
February 14, 2024
Senior Matthew Cortes plays in his senior season. The football team at this school does not make any cuts during tryouts.

Senior season cut short: ethical or not?

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
January 22, 2024
Julia Messing, Macyn Hale and their partner compete at the Pan American Club Games in Ibagué, Columbia.

Messing, Hale compete for spot in acrobatics World Championships

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
December 21, 2023
Senior Julia Messing works on her AP Literature essay. "I feel like some of my teachers leave big assignments towards the end, but I also have some that are more conscious about it," Messing said.

End of quarter brings stress for teachers, students

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
November 1, 2023
Project Happy Feet aims to donate sporting equipment and shoes to students in low-income areas through donation boxes around the county.

Project Happy Feet walks its way through county

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
October 5, 2023
Senior Ellie Mollica reminisces on the past four years of high school, reflecting on her time at the school.

A letter to the freshmen class

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
September 14, 2023
An email was sent out on May 1 telling students about the new structure of the senior planning class. It will now be an advisory period.

Senior planning class switches to advisory period

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
June 5, 2023
AP Exams are scheduled without a break from each other, making it difficult to focus on one subject at a time.

AP tests too close together; causes stress to students

Ellie Mollica, online editor in chief
May 10, 2023
Junior Caroline Stasko takes a break in the middle of her homework after struggling to pay attention in class from tiredness.

The problem with an early school start time

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
February 14, 2023

Students love nearby restaurants

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
January 23, 2023
The Class of 2026 was proud to receive the $100 check after winning the class competition.

Puttin’ on the Hitz was wicked good

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
December 18, 2022

Wootton isn’t safe place to learn

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
November 19, 2022
The marching band at the home football game on Sept. 9 performs the first movement of their routine.

Marching band slides into competition season

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
October 31, 2022
Junior Erin McGinness uses her advisory period to catch up on Instagram after not using her phone throughout the morning.

PMD policy brings new rules for phones

Ellie Mollica, opinions editor
September 24, 2022
Arvin Kim was elected MCPS Student Member of the Board after receiving 58.7% of the vote.

New SMOB Arvin Kim elected

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
May 17, 2022
Daylight savings time becomes permanent in 2023 with no more falling behind or jumping ahead of one hour.

Senate passes daylight savings bill, ending time change

Ellie Mollica, opinion editor
May 5, 2022
In every classroom some students have decided to keep their masks on, and some have decide to not wear them anymore.

Masks become optional in MCPS facilities

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
March 24, 2022
The cheer team welcomes new coach Alexa Young. Young previously cheered at Magruder. “I am extremely excited. I know I have a strong group of returners that are excited to get to work and have a successful season,” Young said.

New cheer coach Alexa Young plans for fall season

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
February 19, 2022
Half days were incorporated into the MCPS November schedule on the week of Thanksgiving break.

Half days prove to be beneficial for students, teachers

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
December 21, 2021
Band director Susan Eckerle brings life lessons to students through music

Band director Susan Eckerle brings life lessons to students through music

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
December 14, 2021
Senior Jayne Samborn works on an assignment for her AP Research class on Nov. 11.

Transition to in-person workload proves struggle for students

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
November 11, 2021
Seniors Katelyn Cheng and Olivia Smith attend a Paper Bridges club meeting in November 2019.

Paper Bridges pens support to children globally

Ellie Mollica, staff writer
October 26, 2021
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