• 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

Mason Berk, managing editor

Mason is a 2023 graduate.

All content by Mason Berk
Photo Courtesy Mace Berk. Seniors Jake Hoffman, Chris Castelli, Jake Konigsberg, Ryan McGraw, Mace Berk and Alec Fleischer celebrate with adviser Evva Starr at the Quill and Scroll banquet in May 2022.

The final scoop: My tribute to Common Sense

Mason Berk, managing editor emeritus
May 30, 2023
Student-run barbershop, The Chop Shop, gives senior Brandon Tchinda a haircut during lunch in front of a live audience.

What does the future of business look like? These five student leaders are paving the way

Mason Berk, managing editor emeritus
May 2, 2023
On Mar. 9, the art classes went on a field trip to the Glenstone museum.

Caged in: How jumping through hoops causes lack of field trips at school

Mason Berk, managing editor
March 27, 2023
Junior Coby Pinto and sophomore Dilan Smith discuss dinner plans that work on a budget.

Holes in your pocket? How to save your cheddar when eating out

Mason Berk, managing editor
February 23, 2023
Crypto Club president Luke Danielian preps for his monthly meeting.

The paradox of choice: Is 126 clubs too many?

Mason Berk, managing editor
January 20, 2023
Sophomore Argil Bilegsaikhan shows off a wrestling move he learned in practice during his match.

How a winter sport teaches lessons that go way beyond the mat

Mason Berk, managing editor
December 15, 2022
The girls' volleyball team huddles up after winning a critical late point in the fourth set.

Volleyball run comes to close after remarkable unbeaten regular season

Mason Berk, managing editor
November 15, 2022
Senior Ryan Kunst and sophomore Matthew Kunst showcase the old baseball school baseball jerseys that were donated.

Local sports non-profit sets lofty community goals to end year

Mason Berk, managing editor
October 26, 2022
Volleyball teams route Seneca Valley in home opener

Volleyball teams route Seneca Valley in home opener

Mason Berk, managing editor
September 15, 2022
Junior Saurav Khetan demonstrates how students can easily cheat on a homework assignment.

Why you shouldn’t cheat

Mason Berk, managing editor
May 26, 2022
Varsity football and lacrosse player, junior Devlin McCarthy crams in a quick study session before practice.

MCPS should abandon minimum GPA requirement for student-athletes

Mason Berk, news editor
April 28, 2022
Junior Ryan Kunst and his brother Matthew celebrate Groundhog Day by posing with a picture of Punxsutawney Phil.

Groundhog shows huge spike in popularity among students

Mason Berk, news editor
February 21, 2022
Maryland gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore sits on a panel at the 2020 Social Innovation Summit.

Maryland‌ ‌gubernatorial‌ ‌race‌ ‌fields‌ ‌13‌ ‌candidates‌

Mason Berk, news editor
January 19, 2022
The volleyball team warms up ahead of the quarterfinals match.

Fall‌ ‌varsity‌ ‌sports‌ ‌come‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌close

Mason Berk, news editor
December 21, 2021
The girls' volleyball team warms up before the quarterfinals.

Girls’ volleyball moves on to state semifinals in dramatic fashion

Mason Berk, news editor
November 16, 2021
Seniors Iris Guo, Samantha Bolze, Michelle Yu, Nadya Meyerovich, Cansu Moral and Giselle Kleinbussink celebrate Senior Night.

Girls’ volleyball team comes back in match to stay unbeaten

Mason Berk, news editor
October 23, 2021
The team huddles after winning a point against Watkins Mill on Sept. 9.

Volleyball teams starts season hot with two-game win streak

Mason Berk, news editor
September 22, 2021
Jockey Gary Stevens celebrates after winning the Preakness.

Local horse race, The Preakness, continues to decline in viewership 

Mason Berk, staff writer
May 28, 2021
The Masters concluded on Apr. 11 on Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, GA.

Masters brings unexpected views, shocks fans

Mason Berk, staff writer
April 24, 2021
Jacksonville Jaguars fans watch their team's 1-15 season on TIAA Bank Field.

Could the best NCAA team beat the worst NFL team?

Mason Berk, staff writer
March 19, 2021
2010 high school football recruits Jared Barnett, Chris Young, Cqulin Hubert and Duran Hollison a trip to Iowa State.

National Signing Day creates viral moments

Mason Berk, staff writer
February 9, 2021
Sophomore Devlin McCarthy roots for his Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL season offers breakout opportunities

Mason Berk, staff writer
January 23, 2021
Freshman Joshua Mirsky drinks hot chocolate on a winter day while watching the Baltimore Ravens play.

New seasonal winter drinks get mixed reviews from students

Mason Berk, staff writer
December 22, 2020
The Army-Navy game will look different this year with limited fans due to COVID.

COVID-19 proves detrimental to college football programs

Mason Berk, staff writer
November 19, 2020
This image shows a soccer goal on a field in England.

Ted Lasso renewed for season 2 after rave reviews

Mason Berk, staff writer
October 28, 2020
HalfSmoke, originally located in Washington D.C., offers varying dishes with the local delicacy "half-smoke" sausage.

Popular sausage restaurant to open in Rockville

Mason Berk, staff writer
October 5, 2020
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