• 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

Kate Hawley, editor-in-chief

Kate Hawley is an Editor-in-Chief in her fourth year on Common Sense. She enjoys playing soccer, baking, and spending time with friends. She hopes that you enjoy Common Sense as much as she enjoys writing for it.
All content by Kate Hawley
In total, senior Kate Hawley received 643 pieces of college mail in her high school career.

Is college mail excessive: My story

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
December 6, 2023
Juniors Jake Dorfman, Adam Blutstein and Anika Sharma competed in the first 'It's Academic' episode of the season, which aired on Oct. 14.

Blutstein, Sharma, Dorfman bring victory to Quiz Bowl club on PBS ‘It’s Academic’ TV show

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
November 27, 2023
Students support the football team in a Thursday night matchup against Churchill on Sept. 14. Even if they take place on Thursdays, football games can still be well-attended and energetic, bringing together the student body.

A winning play: MCPS tackles referee shortages, violence, with Thursday night football games

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
October 31, 2023
Junior defender Maddie Zinke scored a 27-yard free-kick against Kennedy on Sept. 19.

Girls soccer team moves to 5-2 with stunning win against Blake

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
October 5, 2023
Senior midfielder Tati Pacheco scored the lone goal against Walter Johnson on Sept. 11.

Girls’ soccer teams kick off season 1-1

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
September 19, 2023
Social studies teacher Sophie Ehrlich (left) graduated from Wootton in 2017. She currently teaches honors U.S. history and said she is excited to be back.

Fresh faces, new staff bring passion, excitement

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
September 18, 2023
The four zones of parking referenced in the article, with blue being the best and red being the worst.

Patriot parking: What’s the best spot in the lot

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
June 5, 2023
Junior Ahmed Elsamani (back) passes off the baton at a track meet. Elsamani balances fasting with running track.

Students fast, find spiritual connection during Ramadan

Kate Hawley, editor in chief
May 7, 2023
Club co-president Angela Wang (far right) helps students write letters at the Amnesty International Letter writing event.

Mailing Motivation: Amnesty International letter-writing event deemed successful

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
April 2, 2023
The founders of the composting initiative, juniors Divya Subramanian, Sofia Gabrielle, Emily Liu, Ashley Chan, and Nico D'Orazio, stand by their green composting bins in the cafeteria.

Composting; Saving the planet one green bin at a time

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
February 13, 2023
Senior Karen Potts takes a nap during lunch.

The problem with a later school start time

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
January 20, 2023
Junior Jessica Chen, sophomore Emma Yuan and freshman Ryan Shin make cards with Paper Bridges. The club is working to connect students with Pen Pals from the Rockville Senior Center.

Giving back to the community this holiday season

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
December 13, 2022
Hallway traffic jams slow down the walk the class for students.

A battle with the bell: Why students need more time to get to class

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
December 7, 2022
Freshman Maya Bellamy scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Whitman, including the game-winner in the final minutes of the match.

JV girls’ soccer finishes season with 3-4-1 record; seven players pulled up to varsity

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
October 26, 2022
The JV girls' soccer team started their season with a decisive 6-0 win against Rockville. Sophomore Marissa Cook is a key part of the team's defense.

JV girls’ soccer team flattens Rockville 6-0 in season opener

Kate Hawley, long-form editor
September 22, 2022
Sophomore Travon Moore agrees that the fall sports season is the best, due to elevated school spirit

Fall, winter or spring: Which sports season is the best?

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
June 2, 2022
Sophomore Families4Families co-president Elena Filbert organizes grocery bags to be donated to Hope and a Home.

Families4Families, NHS launch successful final food drive

Kate Hawley, senior longform editor
May 7, 2022
Over 75 students from across the county represented all 25 MCPS high schools at the Student-Athlete Leadership Conference on Mar. 11.

Leadership, mental health, time management, sportsmanship discussed at first annual MCPS Student-Athlete Leadership Conference

Kate Hawley, commons editor
March 28, 2022
Head Coach Laura Darby offers advice to the the team during a fourth quarter timeout in their game against Whitman on Feb. 2.

JV girls cap off high-spirited season

Kate Hawley, commons editor
March 1, 2022
Spirit days and team meals have helped the JV girls' basketball team bond this season.

After overcoming COVID-19 outbreak, JV girls are back in action

Kate Hawley, commons editor
January 23, 2022
Freshman captain Maddy Mathew enjoys a team dinner prior to the team's blowout victory over Walter Johnson. The players hope that games, practices and team events can resume soon.

After two games, JV girls’ basketball team is on hiatus

Kate Hawley, commons editor
December 24, 2021
Spirts were high after the girls' soccer and volleyball teams won the first county championships in their respective sports.

Girls’ soccer, volleyball win new fall county championships

Kate Hawley, commons editor
November 22, 2021
Taco Bamba's industrial atmosphere provides a clean and modern feel.

Kate’s Food Finds: New restaurant adds tango to Congressional Plaza

Kate Hawley, commons editor
October 22, 2021
The front dining room of Sisters offers interesting items to look at when conversation gets boring, such as books, antiques and family photos. The multi-room structure of the restaurant creates a quaint atmosphere and a home-like feel.

Kate’s Food Finds: Thai restaurant in Cabin John provides cozy atmosphere, delicious dishes

Kate Hawley, commons editor
September 17, 2021
Freshmen Meilani Rodgers and Tori Ketzler line up at the start line in practice.

Track and field team concentrates on win in upcoming meet

Kate Hawley, staff writer
May 29, 2021
The JV field hockey team has gone 3-1 this season, with their only loss coming from B-CC.

JV field hockey team bonds together to win

Kate Hawley, staff writer
April 28, 2021
MCPS is aiming to have the entire bus fleet converted to electric by 2035.

MCPS to replace diesel bus fleet with electric

Kate Hawley, staff writer
March 24, 2021
Students cheer for the football team during homecoming in 2019. Fans will be prohibited from coming to athletic events this spring.

Fall sports to return in spring: What students need to know

Kate Hawley, staff writer
February 19, 2021
Boys' varsity soccer celebrates after winning the Division Championship in 2019 on the school's turf field.

Is a turf field a good investment?

Kate Hawley, staff writer
January 17, 2021
Freshman Meilani Rodgers

Meilani Rodgers runs toward her goals

Kate Hawley, staff writer
January 6, 2021
DECA has 225,000 members, 3,700 high school chapters, 215 collegiate chapters, and 5,500 advisors. It has a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

DECA works hard for future competitions

Kate Hawley, staff writer
November 12, 2020
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