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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

Helen Manolis, features editor

Junior Helen Manolis is a features editor in her second year on the Common Sense staff. During her free time, she likes to play sports and hang out with her friends and family. You can also find her on Instagram @helenmanolis_
All content by Helen Manolis
All six of these books have faced bans because they contain controversial topics. Some of them are taught and discussed in high schools and middle schools in Maryland because they are protected by the Freedom to Read Act. “School should be a place for learning, and learning should not be confined to what is comfortable. Learning can make us uncomfortable, and that's OK,” English teacher Chloe Felterman said.

A threat to literature: How Project 2025 will affect school libraries

Helen Manolis, features editor
December 14, 2024
After the end of marking period 1, the Wellness Wednesday slides showed what grades students need to earn in the second marking period to maintain or improve their semester grade. This “teaches them some of the wrong lessons that they shouldn’t be learning. What it does is it gives a lot more kids A’s, which means that we look like we’re doing a great job, but that doesn’t always pan out when kids go to college and have to do things on their own,” AP Seminar and Research teacher Michelle Hanson said.

Grade inflation: Is a 4.0 GPA still impressive?

Helen Manolis, features editor
November 16, 2024
Sophomore Malia Bellamy plays games on her phone while eating lunch. Bellamy said that a school-wide phone ban would not be necessary because there are already strict rules about students using their phones in classrooms so taking away the right to use it during free times is unfair. “Lunch time is the only break we have in school so it’s the best time to relax on your phones,” Bellamy said.

Phone bans throughout MCPS: How are other schools doing it?

Helen Manolis, features editor
October 25, 2024
Top: Then freshman Helen Manolis (this writer) attends a football game with her friends. Bottom: Rather than going to a football game, now in her junior year, Manolis stays home and does homework on a Friday night.

Do football games lose excitement throughout high school?

Helen Manolis, features editor
October 8, 2024
Miranda Custer is a co-coach of the school's first girls' flag football team. She also teaches biology and forensics and, with, “two new classes that I'm teaching, it's a whole new group of kids and age group and I'm really excited to just start fresh and to have my ability shine through,” Custer said.

Miranda Custer: teacher, coach, fellow Gen-Z member

Helen Manolis, features editor
September 12, 2024
Sophomores Maya Bellamy and Megan Lomotan pilot the flag football program. Both students are excited for flag football to come to this school and can't wait to play it next fall.

Students are ecstatic for flag football coming soon

Helen Manolis, staff writer
May 21, 2024
Sophomore Kioko Kibua relaxes during his eighth period health class after not getting enough sleep and a draining day of school.

Would later start to school day benefit students?

Helen Manolis, staff writer
May 6, 2024
AOIT is an academic program for students interested in technology and computer science. AOIT student Maya Bellamy said, "I decided to do AOIT because I have always enjoyed my science and computer science classes."

Students explore future careers through academic programs

Helen Manolis, staff writer
April 16, 2024
Students can earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy award for any of the listed languages by taking the test. The test assesses a student's understanding of the language through oral, reading and writing exams.

World languages: Are there enough options to choose from at this school?

Helen Manolis, staff writer
March 26, 2024
Former freshman Kai Schmelzer and former senior Ryan Kunst work together to lead the boys' varsity baseball team to a 2-1 win against rival Churchill Bulldogs last year on May 11. Kunst is now a freshman at Gettysburg College and still plays baseball, while Schmelzer will continue to play varsity baseball as a sophomore this year.

Are seniors given excessive privilege in sports?

Helen Manolis, staff writer
March 6, 2024
Sophomore Ryan Shin uses his MacBook to work on an assignment in his Honors Spanish 4 class. Shin is a hard working student and strives to excel in all his classes. "I like my Spanish class because I have a lot of friends in it and I like using my MacBook because I feel more comfortable using it since I use it at home too," Shin said.

Should students be allowed to use Macbooks in school?

Helen Manolis, staff writer
February 18, 2024
Junior Madeline Eig studies for an AP Comparative Government quiz during lunch.

Students argue that homework on weekends should be prohibited

Helen Manolis, staff writer
December 13, 2023
Girls' basketball coach Maggie Dyer provides instruction to her team on Mar. 3 in their regional final game against Churchill.

Dyer incorporates her love of basketball in everyday tasks

Helen Manolis, staff writer
November 16, 2023
Elena Delle Donne is a WNBA All-Star who currently plays for the Washington Mystics and has won two MVP awards.

Is pay disparity between WNBA, NBA players unfair?

Helen Manolis, staff writer
November 16, 2023
The Activists Club assembles in room 181 during lunch. The goals of the club include getting students involved in taking action on issues.

Activists Club inspire students to get involved in community

Helen Manolis, staff writer
October 25, 2023
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