• 2022-2023 CSPA Crown Award Finalist
The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Wootton High School

Common Sense
Pragna Pothakamuri

Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor

Senior Pragna Pothakamuri is a managing editor in her third year on the Common Sense staff. In her free time, she enjoys writing, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. You can reach out to her at [email protected].
All content by Pragna Pothakamuri
Property management company Peterson Cos proposed a redevelopment plan for Rio, which if approved, will create 257 apartments in place of the existing Kohl’s building, and up to 206 units near the Washingtonian Pond would be added. The project, titled the "Rio Residential Project," is still in its early stages but has sparked discussion amongst Gaithersburg community members and residents. "Right now, the applicant is asking for what’s called Schematic Development Plan (SDP) approval. If the City approves this first step, the applicant will then submit a Final Site Plan application, which includes more detailed designs for the buildings, landscaping, and architecture,” Sam Copelan, Planner II for the City of Gaithersburg’s Planning and Code Administration, said. Photos used with permission from Google Creative Commons

Peterson Cos’ development plan proposes 400+ apartment units in Rio

Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor
October 14, 2025
The MCPS Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor are responsible for implementing and executing policies that impact MCPS students, staff and community members. This school year marks Taylor's second as superintendent, and has introduced changes in the county. "Dr. Taylor is a consequential figure in MCPS’ recent history. Given the school system’s recent challenges, its boundary study, its academic program analysis and its large budget increase this year, it was a good time to assess the start of Dr. Taylor’s tenure,” Adam Pagnucco, writer and founder of Montgomery Perspective, said. Photo used with permission from Wikimedia Commons

Superintendent Dr. Taylor’s leadership sparks change throughout county

Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor
September 17, 2025
School Business Administrator Arlin De La Rosa works at her desk on Jun. 3 during lunch. De La Rosa is in charge of the school's finances, building reservations and main office. "If you bring me a problem, we’ll find a solution; we’ll find some way to solve it. I think that’s my biggest drive every day," De La Rosa said.

No business done without Arlin De La Rosa

Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor
June 10, 2025
Protestors participate in the #TeslaTakedown protest in front of the Tesla showroom on Rockville Pike on Apr. 26. The #TeslaTakedown organization hosts protests across the country rallying against Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his connections with President Donald Trump. "I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. To get to this point, it just breaks my heart,” protester Catherine Zizlavsky said.

#TeslaTakedown protesters rally on Rockville Pike

Pragna Pothakamuri, managing editor
May 9, 2025
Junior Mia Yang prepared apple pies for students to try at an apple pie sampling day for her AP Research study in February. Yang’s research focused on finding the difference in taste between American apple pies from different time periods. In AP Research, "I’ve learned how to collect data, organize and make it look professional," Yang said.

Apple pies to doctor’s offices: What really goes on in AP Research?

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
April 1, 2025
Data from the Jay Mathews Index shows the ranking of MCPS high schools. Each index score is calculated by dividing the total number of AP, IB and Cambridge tests by the number of graduating seniors, and can offer insight into course difficulty. “I think because a lot of the students here are very ambitious, I think a lot of times the teachers are reacting to student engagement because students are producing high-quality work and demanding in-depth feedback,” English teacher Danny Pecoraro said.

Beyond the classroom: a look into this school’s class rigor

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
March 16, 2025
Past editions of the Literary Magazine line the shelves in room 253. The 2025 print publication of the Literary Magazine, or Lit Mag, will be published by the end of May. "Lit Mag displays artworks for people and artists alike to appreciate the skill of their classmates at Wootton, and connects more people to one another,” junior and shadow Editor-in-Chief Crystal Teng said.

Literary magazine prepares for print issue

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
February 26, 2025
The Red Cross Club makes holiday-themed cards for veterans in the armed forces. Other clubs also participate in holiday drives and fundraisers to assist the local community. "I like holiday drives because they give everyone a chance to give back to the community and it also gives everyone a chance to get something back from the community,” junior Jasmine Rivas said.

Local holiday drives assist those in need

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
January 14, 2025
Media Specialist Tammie Burk works on her computer during lunch on Dec. 11. Burk offers students a safe space and ensures that the Media Center runs smoothly.

School library: safe haven for all students

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
December 16, 2024
Counselor Daniella Bienstock works on her computer during lunch on Nov. 13. Bienstock has been a counselor here for four years and values making connections with her students. "Seeing students on a daily basis acting with integrity and wanting to make the world a better place gives me a lot of hope and makes me want to act the same in my life,” Bienstock said.

Counselor Daniella Bienstock strives to advocate for all students

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
November 16, 2024
Sophomore Claire Weed takes photos at the boys' soccer game on Oct. 23. Weed has done sports photography for the soccer, football, flag football and volleyball teams. "All the players on the team really like to see themselves in pictures and I’ve gotten to know a lot of people," Weed said.

Claire Weed: in the action, behind the photo

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
November 2, 2024
Seniors Justin Kim and Aarna Rastogi promote Science Olympiad at the Club Expo on Sept. 20 during lunch. Kim and Rastogi are both co-captains for the club this year. "[The Club Expo] gives everyone a chance to explore the new clubs that pop up every year and join old ones," Rastogi said.

Students react to new club expo format, club policy changes

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
October 8, 2024
French and Spanish teacher Margaret Foeckler responds to emails and creates lesson plans for her classes after school on Sept. 6. Foeckler said that this year's instructional model, "Building a Strong Foundation, is important for students and I incorporate it into my planning. [The model] is a good foundation because students come to expect a certain pattern when they walk into a classroom and need to have the learning framed for them," Foeckler said.

Administration introduces new instructional focus

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor, race and equity editor
September 15, 2024
Junior Katherine Hua receives an award for excellence in painting during the awards ceremony on May 15. The school's award ceremony is held annually and recognizes student achievements in various subjects throughout the year.

Annual awards ceremony highlights student achievements

Pragna Pothakamuri, features editor
May 29, 2024
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors took the Maryland School Survey on Apr. 3 during their advisory period. School surveys can provide data about the school, but their relevance is often questioned. According to the Maryland State Department of Education, "school leaders use results to learn about and improve the school community.”

How relevant are school surveys?

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
May 8, 2024
A radar speed sign along Wootton Parkway monitors cars driving by. Recent safety issues have caused concerns around drop-off and speeding. "In education, safety and security need to be our top priority," Assistant Principal Stephanie Labbe said.

Safety issues on Wootton Parkway raise concern

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
April 29, 2024
Billie Eilish attends the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party on Mar. 10 in Beverly Hills. Eilish won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie." "I’m so thankful for this song and for this movie, and the way that it made me feel," Eilish said in her acceptance speech.

96th Oscars were more than ‘Kenough’

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
March 23, 2024
The Summer RISE program is a career-based summer internship program led by the MCPS Department of Partnerships. This summer, the program will run June 21 through July 26 for five weeks. "Summer RISE stepping in is a way for our students to build that thing that sets them apart," college and career coordinator Jennifer MacDonald said.

Summer RISE program helps students rise up to real world workforce standards

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
March 8, 2024
Le Macaron employee Ally Selby takes customer orders at the register on Feb. 3. Le Macaron recently opened at Rio in January, offering a variety of sweet pastries and drinks. "[Rio's] got a great atmosphere, lots of people, and we really enjoy the community that we’re in," employee Sebastian Contreras said.

Macarons, pretzels, rock climbing: latest additions to Rio

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
February 19, 2024
Sophomore Nishikaa Poona embraces her teammates at a game vs. Urbana on Oct. 18.

Sophomore Nishikaa Poona reflects on lessons learned throughout volleyball career

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
December 21, 2023
Math teacher Madison Swan teaches an AP Calculus lesson on Nov. 20.

Math teacher Madison Swan shares special connection to school

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
November 22, 2023
Bridge to Wellness is hosted in rooms 266 and 267 and is available to students all day.

Bridge to Wellness program bridges student wellness gap

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
November 15, 2023
Junior Rebecca Gao creates an affirmation poster during the Patriot Minds Matter meeting on Oct. 26.

Patriot Minds Matter strives to help students take step back

Pragna Pothakamuri, staff writer
October 27, 2023
Load More Stories
Donate to Common Sense
$245
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal