• 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

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief emeritus

Ellie Cowen is a 2022 graduate. She enjoys watching The Office, playing with her dogs, and baking. You can connect with her on Instagram @elliecowenn or through her email [email protected].

All content by Ellie Cowen
Seniors Ellie Cowen and Nico DePalma pose for homecoming photos in 2018 and with newspaper advisor Evva Starr in 2022.

6 things I absolutely do not regret doing in high school

Ellie Cowen, EIC emeritus
May 28, 2022
A look inside the break room: Teacher friendships thrive outside of class

A look inside the break room: Teacher friendships thrive outside of class

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
April 30, 2022
Seniors are faced with hundreds of options for majors in college, ranging from Biocomputational Engineering to Religions of the Ancient Middle East.

As seniors prepare for life after high school, parents weigh in with helpful career advice

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
March 25, 2022
Junior Max Choi visits students at Westland Middle School during his SMOB campaign.

Baba Cisse, Arvin Kim named final SMOB candidates in Nominating Convention; General election to take place on Apr. 20

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
February 20, 2022
Despite high vaccination rates county-wide, hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID patients infected with the Omicron variant.

Omicron variant overtakes Delta as dominant strand, leads to increased chances of switch to virtual learning

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
January 13, 2022
Substitute teacher John Bartelloni covers a Spanish 4 class for Tamara Hounshell on Dec. 14.

Sub shortage, return to school take tolls on mental health of students, teachers alike

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
December 22, 2021
Puffs will run Nov. 11,12, and 13 at 7 p.m and Nov. 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 and available for purchase on the school's Patrons of the Arts website.

Patriot Players prepare for premiere of fall play, Puffs, their first live performance since return to schools

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
November 11, 2021
The girls' varsity soccer team wraps up a late night practice. Athletes are not required to wear masks outdoors.

County mandates full COVID vaccination for spring, winter athletes by Nov. 15

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
October 15, 2021
Students exit bus 5307 in the morning. “We saw for sure the first week of school, there were some buses coming in late. As of this week, there is one bus we're monitoring that we are still seeing coming in at 7:45," Principal Kimberly Boldon said.

Bus driver shortage disrupts routes county-wide

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
September 19, 2021
Freshman Rishi Iyer works on his computer coding his website, co2schools.com

Freshman develops website to track carbon footprint of MCPS, hold county accountable

Ellie Cowen, editor-in-chief
May 21, 2021
Senior captains Zara Chavoshi, Paige Abid and Sarah Woodward present the traditional pre-game bean dip.

Varsity girls’ soccer keeps spirits high after closing out shortened season

Ellie Cowen, features editor
April 20, 2021
A tweet from the teacher's union (MCEA) in response to the Board's decision to return students to schools before teachers are vaccinated.

Teachers protest after Board votes to return to schools, call plan unsafe

Ellie Cowen, features editor
March 21, 2021
SMOB candidate Vivek Majumdar prepares to record his candidacy announcement.

Meet Vivek Majumdar: SMOB candidate, mental health advocate

Ellie Cowen, features editor
February 9, 2021
The Pentagon released three videos of unidentified flying objects. The videos, captured by Naval pilots, have been taken by enthusiasts as proof of aliens. Experts aren't so sure.

The 10 weirdest things you didn’t hear about in 2020

Ellie Cowen, features editor
January 25, 2021
Attendees discussed the @blackatwootton Instagram account, where students can anonymously submit their experiences. Students have reflected on how much racism went unnoticed before the account gained popularity.

Students call for admin accountability: Race Matters Town Hall highlights

Ellie Cowen, features editor
December 19, 2020
The racial makeup of competitive mathematics, science, and computer science magnet program at Takoma Park MS reveals how Asian and white students are overrepresented in the program, compared to county-wide demographics.

AFEF sues county for discrimination in magnet school admissions

Ellie Cowen, features editor
November 21, 2020
Junior Maya Chelar visits Homestead Farm with Juniors Elena Khanlarbeik, Nikki Faroughi, Layla Hilmi and Elizabeth Stepanov to enjoy the fall season, take photos and pick pumpkins.

Halloween 2020: everything you need to know

Ellie Cowen, features editor
October 23, 2020
The value of being called the proper name cannot be underestimated. The Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law finds that more inclusive policies regarding preferred names improves students' perception of their university and sense of belonging.

Letting students use preferred names on Zoom creates positive school environment

Ellie Cowen, Features Editor
September 23, 2020
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