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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
All content by Photo used with permission from Google Creative Commons
According to PBS, no new malls have been built since 2006 due to a rise in online shopping. This is expected to lead to a decline in retail stores for consumers to shop in person.

[Photo] Rise of online shopping creates harmful consequences

Rebekah Buchman, online editor-in-chief
May 26, 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.

[Photo] Four not-to-miss coming of age movies

Maria Daraselia, editor-in-chief
January 22, 2025
U.S. women's swimmer Katie Ledecky has won nine gold medals, bringing honor to the DMV.

[Photo] DMV athletes shine on world stage

Jack Weinstein, staff writer
September 18, 2024
Guard Jalen Brunson drives in for a layup. Brunson averaged 36 points per game in the Knicks first round series vs the 76ers. "I think the Knicks will win because they have the most complete roster," freshman Benedict Santos said.

[Photo] NBA playoffs stir excitement

Eric Mehler, staff writer
May 17, 2024
Harry Harlow's experiments caused the suffering of hundreds of baby monkeys. In his study, he placed the monkeys in cages with a stand-in mother made of metal wire and another made of soft cloth. The wire mother had an attached baby bottle for food while the cloth mother had nothing, but it was found that the newborn monkeys would consistently choose the cloth mother over the wire mother.

[Photo] Unethical psychological studies impact participants, society

Natalie Pak, staff writer
May 10, 2024
Former Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was one of a few prominent sports figures who have been caught for allegedly violating their league's gambling policies and betting illegally.

[Photo] Time for athletes to cash out

Jack Weinstein, staff writer
May 7, 2024
William and Kate Middleton with their first child, Prince George.

[Photo] Public believes Kate Middleton owes them information

Maria Daraselia, managing editor
April 24, 2024
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[Photo] Financially smart tasks when turning 18

Arshia Ahmadi, staff writer
April 23, 2024
During the total solar eclipse in 2017 the moon completely covered the sun.

[Photo] Total solar eclipse creates excitement over once in lifetime occurrence

Rebekah Buchman, features editor
April 23, 2024
Caitlin Clark ends her collegiate career with an historic impact on women's basketball.

[Photo] Caitlin Clark impact on, off the Court

Jack Weinstein, staff writer
April 22, 2024
The new Minnesota state flag includes the eight-pointed star representing the North Star because one of Minnesota's nicknames is the North Star state. This comes from the state motto L'Étoile du Nord, which translates to "The Star of the North" in French.

[Photo] Flag News: States revise flags for modern times

Liam Christensen, staff writer
April 18, 2024
Former President Barack Obama hosts an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan in the East Room of the White House, June 22, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Photo Permission by Google Creative Commons

[Photo] Ramadan unites Muslim students

Arshia Ahmadi, staff writer
April 3, 2024
A key factor in the societal "beauty standard" is a person's weight, which the body positivity movement attempts to reject. However, the idea of body positivity itself is superficial as it relies on a person's physical appearance as a determinant of their self-worth.

[Photo] Harmful effects of body positivity: the correlation between beauty and self worth

Natalie Pak, staff writer
March 30, 2024
President Joe Biden gives his State of the Union address ahead of the election.

[Photo] Biden faces off against Trump in upcoming presidential election

Lea Weinstein, sports editor, race & equity editor
March 25, 2024
Heidi and Heather Burge pose with a fan at the Capital One Arena. The Burge twins are the center focus of the 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie, Double Teamed.

[Photo] The moviegoing experience: Are women’s basketball movies really that good?

Ahmed Ibrahim, staff writer
March 25, 2024
Brookhaven Elementary School hosts an after-school enrichment project to provide additional opportunities for students using the financial aid they receive as a Title 1 school. They are one of four schools losing their Title 1 status in the 2024-2025 school year.

[Photo] Four MCPS elementary schools lose Title 1 status, funding

Diya Khetan, staff writer
March 22, 2024
The State of the Union address informs the American people on the state of politics in the country today.

[Photo] State of the Union address informs students, citizens

Darren Shapiro, sports editor
March 22, 2024
Redskins helmets from 2018 featured White Calf. These old uniforms were preferred over the current Commanders uniforms. The team ranked last in 2022 for their uniforms, according to Sports Illustrated.

[Photo] Commanders face lawsuit: Redskin identity in question

Liam Christensen, staff writer
March 21, 2024
Experts agree that social media has a hold over teenagers and most don't know the danger that it presents.

[Photo] Congress cracks down on social media safety

Jack Weinstein, staff writer
March 12, 2024
Sephora has become the main destination for young girls looking for products such as Drunk Elephant and Rare Beauty.

[Photo] Rise of “Sephora Kids”: Should makeup stores have age limits?

Rebekah Buchman, features editor
March 11, 2024
Ole Miss stadium is packed with excited students and fans. "College stadiums are full of energy and the atmosphere is super intriguing," senior Justin Karis said.

[Photo] College sports are more entertaining than professional leagues

AJ Shiflett, staff writer
March 10, 2024
Free SAT and ACT test prep resources have become common in recent years, with sites like Khan Academy offering courses to help students study.

[Photo] Test optional policies should be left behind

Claire Lenkin, managing editor
March 7, 2024
Students look forward to becoming first time voters in Maryland's primary election.

[Photo] Students look forward to first time voting

Darren Shapiro, sports editor
February 14, 2024
A group of protestors rally to prevent gun violence.

[Photo] America’s new normal: Becoming desensitized to gun violence in media

Natalie Pak, staff writer
February 13, 2024
Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen rounds a turn. While talented, he has been a subject of controversy.

[Photo] F1’s Max Verstappen refuses to let fellow Red Bull driver Sergio Perez through during Brazil GP

Hayley Gottesman, staff writer
January 24, 2023
As students walk through the school's front doors, they enter an environment where they are encouraged to excel academically and athletically.

[Photo] Students look back on blissful school moments in 2022

Daniel Sofer, managing editor
January 23, 2023
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.

[Photo] Lower the voting age to 16

Ethan Lenkin, EIC
October 29, 2022
A chart displays basic color theory, which suggests that every color has a set of emotions or feelings that the human mind commonly associates with that color.

[Photo] Math is red

Catie Russ, staff writer
March 20, 2022
Virginia Governor elect Glenn Youngkin prepares for debate

[Photo] Youngkin wins Virginia governor’s race

Darren Shapiro, staff writer
November 22, 2021
Texas A&M runner from the 2011 track and field championship.

[Photo] College athletes finally allowed to get paid

Alec Fleischer, reviews editor
November 21, 2021
A return to the no-bells policy would benefit all.

[Photo] Removal of bells is ideal for both students and teachers

Brett Halpern, staff writer
November 21, 2021
Taylor Swift performs on her original Red tour in 2013.

[Photo] Taylor Swift releases much-anticipated album

Claire Lenkin, staff writer
November 17, 2021
Russel Westbrook (left) guards a shot against his future team, the Washington Wizards, in 2019.

[Photo] Wizards rebuilding: new coach hired, players new to team

Brendan Glaser, staff writer
November 15, 2021
Hawaii is famous for its crystal clear ocean and beautiful beaches.

[Photo] Students dream of exotic travels

Maya Halpern, staff writer
November 11, 2021
Carnelian is used to bring warmth and joy into one's life.

[Photo] Crystals make waves in spiritual world

Christina Martirosova, staff writer
November 11, 2021
Orchardgoers collect excess apples for donation at Butler's Orchard.

[Photo] Butler’s orchard offers safe fall festivities for all

Sophia Fritsch, staff writer
November 11, 2021
The Sign Language Club aims to enhance learning about the Deaf community and Deaf culture.

[Photo] ASL Club looks to spread awareness

Maria Daraselia, staff writer
November 3, 2021
Club members use an interactive app to simulate buying and selling crypto currencies.

[Photo] Crypto Club educates students about future of currency

Josh Erd, staff writer
November 3, 2021
A father and daughter stand on the Mexico side of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

[Photo] American-Mexican border worsens

Darren Shapiro, staff writer
October 18, 2021
President Joe Biden's approval ratings have dropped significantly in the past month due to the failure to remove troops from Afghanistan in a timely manner. It's an open book to see how this impacts the rest of his presidency.

[Photo] Afghanistan crisis leads to dip in presidential approval ratings

Simon Kidane, managing editor
September 21, 2021
The mockumentary was released by Netflix to take a look back at this past year.

[Photo] “Death to 2020” fails to rise to expectations

Josie Rosenstein, opinion editor
January 24, 2021
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