• 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

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief emeritus

Alex Balian is a 2025 graduate.

All content by Alex Balian
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Alex Balian (this writer) looks at the signatures from Common Sense newspaper staff members from his final news magazine press day.

Signed, Sealed delivered: Au revoir

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief emeritus
May 21, 2025
On Apr. 28, during lunch, candidates spoke to students about their policies and goals. "We wanted a space where candidates could share more about themselves and students could ask questions," senior and SGA co-president Ashi Stanislaus said.

Election changes; students step up

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief emeritus
April 30, 2025

Advanced ceramics class transforms hallways with installation art

Alex Balian, editor in chief
March 26, 2025
@tswathletics posts a job application for prospective coaches on Instagram. They can apply on the MCPS careers website.

Behind the whistle: how are coaches hired?

Alex Balian, editor in chief
March 11, 2025
The high school soccer season can be rough with athletes often playing multiple games every week while also practicing every day. This writer, senior Alex Balian, is devastated after a missed opportunity to score during a fall game.

Between the lines: the silent struggle

Alex Balian, editor in chief
February 21, 2025
The boys' varsity basketball team stands for the National Anthem on a Dec. 20 matchup against Churchill. The Bulldogs physicality and fast-paced offense exposed the team’s struggles with turnovers and cold shooting, leading to a 60-47 defeat.

Boys’ basketball: Anything but a layup

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief
January 15, 2025
More than 20 years separate Gladiator and its sequel, Gladiator II, and the advancements in filmmaking technology, scale, and budget reflect the evolution of the industry. Gladiator (2000): The original film was made with a budget of approximately $103 million, which was substantial at the time. Gladiator II (2024): The sequel’s budget exceeds $200 million, more than doubling the original.

‘Gladiator II’: The return of ancient Rome to the big screen

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief
December 10, 2024
Varsity football defeated the Magruder Colonels 20-7 in the regional quarterfinals on Nov. 14. This is the first time the team has advanced this far since the 1989 season.

Varsity football team ends regular season 4-5, reaches state quarterfinals for first time since 1991

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief
November 15, 2024
Senior Alex Balian (this writer) is fouled by a JFK defender during a varsity boys' soccer match. He was concussed minutes later. According to Purdue University, 22% of soccer injuries are concussions.

Exploring concussions: more than just a protocol

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief
October 27, 2024
Senior Alex Balian (this writer) saw summer blockbuster "Deadpool and Wolverine" at Regal Rockville in July. The movie grossed over $1.086 billion over just 23 days, which gives it the title for highest-grossing R-rated film of all time at the global box office.

The summer screen: successes or slams?

Alex Balian, editor-in-chief
September 9, 2024
This year marked a change to how Advanced Placement (AP) exams were proctored, from Universities of Shady Grove to all onsite at this school.

Back to Wootton: changes in AP exam administration

Alex Balian, sports editor
May 22, 2024
Juniors Will and Charlie Balian, seniors Elizabeth Mehler and Kelly Ren, and AP Research teachers Brett Bentley and Michelle Hanson celebrate after the AP Research symposium on Apr. 25.

College-ready minds: The Impact of AP Seminar, AP Research in high schools

Alex Balian, sports editor
May 2, 2024
The SAT was created in 1926 and remained on paper until this spring, when it switched to online. An SAT study guide from 2005 is now rendered obsolete.

College Board’s switch to Online SAT: the good, the bad and the ugly

Alex Balian, sports editor
April 18, 2024

Sam Williams 5K

Alex Balian, sports editor
March 23, 2024
Left: Sophomore Emory Scofield gets ready for the draw after a goal. Right: Juniors Argil Bilegsaikhan and Mihir Ayyagari celebrate a goal. (Photos from the 2023 season)

Excitement builds as lacrosse season kicks off: A look at boys’, girls’ teams

Alex Balian, sports editor
March 10, 2024
Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (left) and Brock Purdy (right) faced off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. The Chiefs ended victorious with a final score of 25-22. Taylor Swift (middle left) and Christian McCaffrey (middle right) also played large roles in this year's Super Bowl story.

Super Bowl LVIII: Scripted or spontaneous?

Alex Balian, sports editor
February 19, 2024
Junior Ashi Stanislaus speaks about the core foundations of MCR at the MCR interest meeting on Dec. 14, 2023.

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders: Insights into MCR

Alex Balian, sports editor
January 10, 2024
Sophomore Maya Bellamy shields the ball from the opposing Magruder defender and attempts a bounce pass into the paint for an easy layup on Dec. 5. The Patriots won 55-31.

Girls’ basketball bounces into new season

Alex Balian, sports editor
December 7, 2023
SNL Host Pete Davidson performs his parody of the song “I’m Just Ken” sung by Ryan Gosling in the Barbie movie during the Season 49 premiere.

“Saturday Night Live” opens for its 49th season amidst the WGA Hollywood actors’ strike

Alex Balian, sports editor
November 19, 2023
A capella gathers for parent photos after their performance at PTA's second annual fall festival.

Acatonics: seizing the stage by storm

Alex Balian, sports editor
October 29, 2023
Freshman Casen Linn looks to receive the ball from senior center-back junior Ricky Gomez against Blake on Oct. 2.

Boys’ soccer can’t catch a break; 1-6 on the season

Alex Balian, sports editor
October 4, 2023
Head Coach Eric Cava addresses his players during a Tuesday night practice in September.

Varsity boys’ soccer loses season opener in dramatic fashion; high hopes for rest of season

Alex Balian, sports editor
September 15, 2023
Senior Anusha Iyer and Junior Naomi Esterowitz repeat state champions in girls' doubles.

Boys’, girls’ tennis teams shine in 2023 season

Alex Balian, sports editor
June 7, 2023

Boys’, girls’ tennis sweeping through regular season

Alex Balian, sports editor
May 10, 2023
Junior Naomi Esterowitz returns a serve with her backhand during her match against Northwest last year.

Boys’ and girls’ tennis expected to serve up exciting season

Alex Balian, staff writer
March 26, 2023
Coach Shane Bramble announces Senior Night while seniors Josh and Max Mirsky walk out Mattias Onel in place of his parents due to COVID-19 complications.

After loss to Urbana, individual events on horizon

Alex Balian, staff writer
February 15, 2023
Junior Jake Kelley stuns the crowd after an electric match against BCC at wrestling's home opener on Dec. 14.

Varsity wrestling improves to 3-3; second half of season starts stron

Alex Balian, staff writer
January 10, 2023
@WOOTTONPATRIOTSWRESLING reminds followers of upcoming meetings and matches.

Varsity wrestling amped for season; expectations high

Alex Balian, staff writer
December 7, 2022
A graphic of the Wootton HS Pass System outlines the rules and regulations for the new structure.

Newly instated hall pass system causes uproar among students

Alex Balian, staff writer
September 26, 2022
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