• 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

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief emeritus

Maria Daraselia is a 2025 graduate.

All content by Maria Daraselia
Senior Maria Daraselia (this writer) holds with the poster announcing her first board position for Common Sense.

Going, going, gone; a thank you

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief emeritus
May 28, 2025
The Stone Mill Elementary School playground is the best of what the feeder elementary schools have to offer.

Recess realness: Which elementary school playground is best?

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief emeritus
May 1, 2025
Senior Mia Silbert enjoys her favorite hike, Old Rag.

Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency put national parks under pressure

Maria Daraselia, editor in chief
March 20, 2025
Varsity boys' basketball faces off against Hubert Blake on Feb. 21, the student section showing out for the theme and supporting their team.

Loud and proud; stop fearing spirit

Maria Daraselia, editor in chief
February 27, 2025
Four of the main actors of John Hughes' sixth feature "The Breakfast Club," are Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall.

Four not-to-miss coming of age movies

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
January 22, 2025
Junior Zorawar Sodhi and senior Joshua Oluwaboro discuss their journalism project due on Dec. 10 requiring them to each take a graphic image and write a caption that is around 75 words. They chose to take journalism because of their love for writing, specifically sports writing. “I love journalism because it allows me to write about one of my passions, sports. I am excited for my future in newspaper,” Sodhi said.

J1 writers finalize their skills for newspaper

Maria Daraselia, editor in chief
December 17, 2024
Senior Maggie Hennessy plays Connections in her second period class.

Students’ unknowingly cross picket lines

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
November 23, 2024
Erik and Lyle Menendez on trial after the brutal killings of both their parents with shotguns. The brothers continue their sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.

Does Ryan Murphy cross the line in ‘Monsters’?

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
October 29, 2024
Psychology students turn in their brain projects on Oct. 4. "Projects like this allow students to visualize the big picture and be more engaged in their classes," social studies teacher Amy Pollin said.

School projects provide value, insight

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
October 5, 2024
Senior' Maggie Hennessey and Mia Silbert walk past the painted over Best Buddies wall. "My sister's handprint was on this wall and it was nice to see from time to time, but it's gone now," Hennessy said.

A coat of paint or the easy way out?

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
September 17, 2024
Sophomore Ksusha Ulyanova enjoya a hearty breakfast before school to prepare her for a long day ahead.

Breakfast: Most important meal of the day?

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
May 28, 2024
The Acatonics perform their concert set in first ever MoCo Vocals event.

MoCo Vocals: First a capella showcase performed

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
May 23, 2024
William and Kate Middleton with their first child, Prince George.

Public believes Kate Middleton owes them information

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
April 24, 2024
Rocks were painted by students on day two of the spring project.

Spring project activities most enjoyed by students

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
March 21, 2024
Instagram accounts affiliated with MCPS post updates about the decision to make Apr. 22 an asynchronous day.

MCPS ignores widespread celebration to make up for snow

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
March 10, 2024
An Instagram page dedicated to sending off seniors shows where they have committed.

The work behind college commitments: how seniors got into Ivys

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
February 14, 2024
The Hall of Fame wall is near the main office.

Hall of Fame Award: Impactful, unnoticed

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
January 24, 2024
Junior Joy Nadda catches up with her AP World homework after missing school due to sickness.

Students take on December

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
December 12, 2023
Juniors Saanvi Gadilla and Ebba Liese practice throwing a football in preparation for Wootball.

Wootball now held in spring

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
December 11, 2023
Senior Ann Sellers enjoys her job as a lifeguard in part due to her respectful and responsible bosses.

Students face uphill battle in finding understanding bosses

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
November 2, 2023
Students deck themselves out in white to support the football team during the fun fall semester.

Fall semester is unrivaled

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
October 5, 2023
Dressed in red, white and blue, students gather in the stands to cheer for the football team.

Are football game themes boring?

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
September 14, 2023
Juniors Brielle Rudolph and Allyson Shulman enjoy their night out on the town for junior banquet.

All out or night in: Junior banquet decisions sway class officer voting

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
June 8, 2023
The book "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck is one that is often assigned to freshmen English students.

Should students pick their own English books?

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
May 3, 2023
Spring breakers enjoy their free time in Panama City.

Students, teachers look forward to spring break

Maria Daraselia, news editor
April 2, 2023
Acatonics perform at ICHSA at St. Charles High School

Acatonics compete at ICHSA

Maria Daraselia, news editor
February 27, 2023
Skiing is one of the two ways people enjoy their time on the mountain.

Best on the slopes: skiers or snowboarders?

Maria Daraselia, news editor
January 20, 2023
A capella poses for a picture with the Nor'easters

Acatonics pick up new knowledge

Maria Daraselia, news editor
December 18, 2022
Sophomore Reva Gargi looks at the BeWell365 page for resources.

Mental health week lacks full effort from administrators

Maria Daraselia, news editor
December 2, 2022
The first Patriot Mind Matters meeting is held in room 189.

Patriot minds do matter

Maria Daraselia, news editor
October 25, 2022
The exterior of the newly opened DonutChew welcomes customers.

Is DonutChew the newest hotspot at Rio?

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
September 23, 2022
The Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts the Met Gala fundraiser.

Met Gala brings new looks to be remembered

Maria Daraselia, news editor
May 31, 2022
Freshman Saanvi Gadila enjoys the movie "Fresh" on Hulu.

“Fresh”: A completely new take on horror

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
April 27, 2022
Olympic skater Kamila Valieva at the Junior Grand Prix Finals.

Olympic skater allowed to compete after failure to provide clean drug test

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
March 19, 2022
Cars begin to line up and clog the parking lot as students get ready to go home after school.

Traffic congestion around schools requires solution

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
February 19, 2022
James Walsh catches in a tournament in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

Senior athlete James Walsh commits to Coast Guard Academy

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
January 13, 2022
The Boxlight screen in teacher Evva Starr's room displays assignments for students' reference.

MCPS allocates $40 million to new Boxlight screens while no building renovations in sight

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
December 25, 2021
Science teacher Jake Buxton's love of nature stems from his childhood where he would spend afternoons fishing, exploring creeks and researching animals.

Teacher, club sponsor, coach Jacob Buxton: man of triple talent

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
December 16, 2021
The Sign Language Club aims to enhance learning about the Deaf community and Deaf culture.

ASL Club looks to spread awareness

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
November 3, 2021
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