• 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

Ethan Lenkin, editor -in-chief

Senior Ethan Lenkin is an editor-in-chief in his third year with Common Sense. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

All content by Ethan Lenkin
My fellow editor-in-chief Julia Lvovsky thoughtfully designed a collage of many of the stories I’ve written in the past three years.

Senior Reflection: Why I write about politics

Ethan Lenkin, EIC emeritus
May 30, 2023
The words, "equal justice under the law" are carved into the Supreme Court. This ideal does not exist for the current Republican majority.

Above the law: The corruption of the Supreme Courts Republican majority

Ethan Lenkin, EIC emeritus
May 7, 2023
President Joe Biden's experience as Vice President makes him reluctant to cast aside Vice President Kamala Harris, or force her to prove she is the best choice through a primary.

The people should pick the next vice president

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
March 25, 2023
Nancy Pelosi led Democrats in the House of Representatives for 20 years as arguably the most important and successful speaker in American history.

Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi’s historic two decades leading the Democratic party

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
March 2, 2023
Arms trader Viktor Bout was extradited to the United States in 2010.

Biden administration secures release of Britney Griner, frees Viktor Bout, The Merchant of Death

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
January 4, 2023
The Maryland gubernatorial race served as a microcosm of the 2022 midterm elections. Governor-elect Wes Moore easily defeated an extreme Trump-endorsed candidate when a competitive race could have been possible.

Democrats defy history in midterm elections

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
December 7, 2022
The American political system is tipped in favor of one party.

American democracy isn’t democratic

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
November 4, 2022
In 1970, after years of protest, Congress lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The enfranchisement of Americans aged 16 and 17 is the next step on the winding road of American voting rights.

Lower the voting age to 16

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
October 29, 2022
President Joe Biden campaigned on a transformative policy agenda. He has turned proposals into law despite a historically narrow Congressional majority.

Why your vote matters

Ethan Lenkin, editor-in-chief
October 3, 2022
The January 6 committee's investigation has continued, with public, primetime hearings to come in June.

The January 6th Committee: What has been discovered and what is to come

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
May 19, 2022
In the weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainian flag has become of a symbol of democracy and courage.

Russian invasion of Ukraine reaches one month: What has happened and what could happen?

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
March 28, 2022
Pretending that the most despicable parts of our history did not occur does not erase their stain and continued effects on America.

Outrageous and Unsurprising: The Republican Attack on American History

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
March 1, 2022
While his legacy as a civil rights activist is well-known, Martin Luther King fought for far more than the dream we remember.

Martin Luther King’s forgotten dreams

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
January 19, 2022
American democracy is tipped in the favor of one party.

Our democracy isn’t democratic

Ethan Lenkin, long form editor
December 24, 2021
President Joe Biden campaigned on his ability to govern and make deals. After a lengthy negotiating period, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been passed by Congress and is now law.

Congress passes President Biden’s historic 1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
November 20, 2021
The filibuster is a senate rule used by the minority to block nearly all legislative priorities.

The filibuster: past, present and future

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
October 28, 2021
The World Trade Center's North Tower, engulfed in flames moments after American Airlines flight 11 strikes.

How America has changed in the 20 years since 9/11

Ethan Lenkin, long form news editor
September 22, 2021
Senator Robert F. Kennedy speaks to Civil Rights demonstrators at the Justice Department.

Robert F. Kennedy: The legacy of the greatest president America never had

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
June 7, 2021
A mass shooting in Orange County, CA, took the lives of four people, including a nine-year-old.

How many more? Gun violence in America

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
April 15, 2021
Georgia takes center stage in GOP voter suppression controversy.

Voter suppression laws are danger to democracy; H.R 1 must be passed

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
March 22, 2021
Supreme Court to decide the power schools have over students' online speech.

Just how free is student speech? Supreme Court to decide this spring

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
February 18, 2021
In a massive four team trade, superstar James Harden was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

Winners and Losers in the James Harden Trade

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
February 12, 2021
The United States Capitol building.

Congress should impeach, convict Donald Trump

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
January 11, 2021
John F. Kennedy served as the 35th president for less than two years before his assassination.

The Kennedy Assassination: This Day in History

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
November 22, 2020
The yearbook continues planning, despite challenges with distanced learning.

Yearbook adapts, changes photo submission process

Ethan Lenkin, staff writer
November 16, 2020
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