• 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

Zachary Derman, reviews editor emeritus

Zachary Derman is a 2025 graduate.

All content by Zachary Derman
Seniors Aaron Dowd, Zachary Derman, and Lucca Engel take pictures at the Fillmore for prom on Saturday, May 17.

Senior reflection: Be kind to your neighbor

Zachary Derman, reviews editor emeritus
May 20, 2025
The works of J.R.R Tolkien include "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and his extensions of Middle Earth.

Best books to read in the fantasy genre

Zachary Derman, reviews editor emeritus
April 30, 2025
David Corenswet stars as the Man of Steel in DC Studio's "Superman," releasing July 11.

Preview of spring, summer blockbusters

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
March 28, 2025
Wootton acceptance rates for Penn State, UMD, UMBC, and Virginia Tech between class of 2023 and class of 2024. Data is not yet available for the current class of 2025. (Source: Naviance)

College acceptances: You might have a better chance at winning the lottery

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
March 11, 2025
The 97th Academy Awards Ceremony takes place on Sunday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m..

The Oscars: They don’t understand a good movie

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
February 20, 2025
One of the ways to combat senioritis is spending time with friends. Seniors Alex Balian, AJ Shiflett, Tyler Siegel, Thomas Mehler, Will Balian, Ben Phillips, Ryan Kaufman, Kyle Fuster, Noah Friedman, Charlie Balian and Luke Brunner come together to play rec basketball for their last school year.

Common illness impacts seniors: senioritis

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
January 15, 2025
The poster for Univeral Pictures' "Wicked" in the Rio AMC theater shows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). "We really took care of what had come before, we trust in it. The music is really beautiful," Erivo said to People magazine.

‘Wicked’: audiences brought back to Broadway musical that defied gravity

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
November 23, 2024
Turkey is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving.

Is Thanksgiving the best holiday?

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
November 15, 2024
Gladiator II opens at Pike and Rose on Nov. 22.

Fall films grab audiences’ attention

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
October 25, 2024
September was National Suicide Prevention Month.

September’s National Suicide Prevention Month followed by county mental health awareness week

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
October 8, 2024
Senior Zachary Derman prepares for photo ops in his Iron Man suit at the Children's Inn at NIH.

What it’s like being Iron Man: my experience volunteering as a superhero

Zachary Derman, reviews editor
September 12, 2024
Junior Zachary Derman wears his 3D printed Iron Man suit on Halloween.

Bringing ideas to life: 3D printing creates new hobbies

Zachary Derman, staff writer
May 22, 2024
Senior John Wang studies for his upcoming AP exams at Chipotle. When it comes to the stress of it, "I'm doing OK, but I'm a little worried," Wang said.

AP exams: How are students holding up?

Zachary Derman, staff writer
May 4, 2024
Alumna Jessica Winson and sophomore Emory Scofield stand outside the University of Maryland campus. "I miss being able to see the same people every day," Winson said.

The college experience: class of 2023 alumni give their take

Zachary Derman, staff writer
April 17, 2024
The IMAX poster for Dune: Part Two is displayed in the RIO AMC theater. The poster shows a critical scene in the film, where Paul leads an army of Fremen and Sandworms. "Frank Herbert wanted the book to be a cautionary tale, a warning against charismatic religious leaders," the film's director Denis Villeneuve said.

Dune: Part Two, a masterclass in filmmaking

Zachary Derman, staff writer
March 21, 2024
Sophomore Xavier Marcus watches the Super Bowl trailer for Marvel Studios' "Deadpool and Wolverine." The trailer shows Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool lying on the ground, as the silhouette of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine stands over him.

Upcoming spring, summer 2024 films, Dune: Part Two, Deadpool and Wolverine

Zachary Derman, staff writer
March 5, 2024
Ryan Gosling talks with America Ferrera during "Barbie" Q&A. Gosling answered questions pertaining to his character and America Ferrera's character. "I felt like, you know, I would've done anything to work with them, but I didn't realize that I would do anything including shaving my legs and get a spray tan and bleach my hair, and yeah, just Ken as hard as I could," Gosling said

Ryan Gosling brings his Kenergy to Barbie, Oscar nominations, new film The Fall Guy

Zachary Derman, staff writer
February 17, 2024
Sophomore Molly Eisenfeld scrolls through Instagram during free class time.

Phones are affecting our youth

Zachary Derman, staff writer
December 14, 2023
Science teacher Gavin Kramar reviews advanced AP Physics 1 concepts during advisory on Nov. 17.

New teacher Gavin Kramar explores AP Physics 1 as alumnus

Zachary Derman, staff writer
November 29, 2023
Regal Rockville movie theater and other theaters struggle to bring in viewers. Online movie streaming platforms deter viewers from watching movies at in-person theaters.

Even after pandemic, why are people still not going to movies?

Zachary Derman, staff writer
November 10, 2023
The Fitness and Bodybuilding club has an Instagram account interested students can follow.

Fitness and Bodybuilding club creates body positivity safe space for students

Zachary Derman, staff writer
October 26, 2023
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