• 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

Maya Halpern, staff writer

Maya is a 2024 graduate.

All content by Maya Halpern
Senior Kristina Khrimian on her first day in high school in 2020 and on the day she committed to her dream college, Georgetown University. "I don't think high school went by as fast as I expected it to, largely because of the pandemic, but it has made me even more excited for my next steps in college," Khrimian said.

Senior reflection: High school does NOT go by too fast

Maya Halpern, back page editor
May 20, 2024
Juniors Lainey Berman and Nibras Hassan watch "10 Things I Hate About You" to unwind before sports practices. "I like watching these kinds of movies with my friends because rom-coms are a pretty universally liked genre," Berman said.

Romantic-comedies light up students’ nights

Maya Halpern, back page editor
May 1, 2024

Which sport is the hardest?

Gurnoor Sodhi and Maya Halpern
April 30, 2024
Senior Jaiden Larson works on his current solo research project. "I love the freedom this internship provides. I've learned so much without feeling the pressure of a normal class," Larson said.

DRC lab prepares students for collegiate sciences

Maya Halpern, back page editor
April 9, 2024
Senior Maya Halpern and social studies teacher Jennifer Bauer switch shoes as they experience each other's 'day in the life'. "It was an eye-opening experience, and it was amazing to see how much she cares for her students," Halpern said.

Eyes wide open: teachers care more than I ever expected

Maya Halpern, back page editor
February 29, 2024
Junior Madeline Eig's 2023 homecoming photo next to her parents' prom photo from 1991.

MCPS descendants: Students attend same schools as their parents

Maya Halpern, back page editor
January 22, 2024
The entrance into the Downtown Holiday Market from the National Portrait Gallery.

19th Annual Downtown Holiday Market spreads seasonal cheer

Maya Halpern, back page editor
December 5, 2023
AP Chemistry teacher Brett Bentley uses a student assistant to demonstrate a combustion reaction in his first-period class.

The answer is clear: chemistry brings less fear

Maya Halpern, back page editor
November 30, 2023
Junior Lyla Dinallo's little brother Cody trades bracelets with other moviegoers.

Taylor Swift is the economy

Maya Halpern, back page editor
October 29, 2023
Seniors Divya Subramunion, Ashley Chan, Sanjana Mudiya and Neha Govind advertise their BEAT club at the fair.

Club fair wows students; bringing new opportunities

Maya Halpern, back page editor
October 4, 2023
A new Hell's Kitchen restaurant opened at the Wharf in D.C..

Students try tasty new restaurants

Maya Halpern, back page editor
September 15, 2023
Taylor Swift rocks out at her 'Eras Tour' in an array of costumes.

Taylor Swift captivates eyes of thousands at ‘Eras’ tour

Maya Halpern, back page editor
June 5, 2023
Sites all over the internet offer students support and recommendations for their application process.

How to stand out on college applications

Maya Halpern, back page editor
May 5, 2023
Junior Alexa Ntchobo utilizes homeroom time to do homework and take stress away from her at-home life.

Rolling along in March ‘Madness’

Maya Halpern, staff writer
April 1, 2023
The Super Bowl LVII stadium where the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs battled for the win.

What do you watch the Super Bowl for?

Maya Halpern, staff writer
February 22, 2023
Senior Carli Katz and Eduardo (last name withheld) spend time with one another outside of best buddies.

Autism and SCB program nurtures students

Maya Halpern, staff writer
January 21, 2023
The girls' bathrooms continue to have no toilet paper, preventing students from being able to use the facilities.

Needing to go when there’s nowhere to go

Maya Halpern, staff writer
January 12, 2023
Senior Jamie Zweig explores England over a past vacation. Winter break is often a time for students to travel abroad.

How to enjoy winter’s chill

Maya Halpern, staff writer
December 12, 2022
Junior Lily Judelsohn eats a pumpkin muffin as fall rolls by.

Baking fall recipes

Maya Halpern, staff writer
October 25, 2022
Seniors Kate Messite and Jamie Zweig eat together at lunch without having to worry about social distancing.

School now returning to normal

Maya Halpern, staff writer
October 6, 2022
Senior Micah Fossett works on AP practice problems in AP AB Calculus on Dec. 21.

Are math programs in MCPS unnecessarily challenging or stressful: Teachers don’t agree

Maya Halpern, staff writer
December 26, 2021
Senior Meghna Krishnan works in her AP Research class on Dec. 17. AP Seminar is Research's prerequisite course, which Krishnan took her junior year virtually.

Students should redo core classes taken during virtual year to mitigate learning loss

Maya Halpern, staff writer
December 22, 2021
Hawaii is famous for its crystal clear ocean and beautiful beaches.

Students dream of exotic travels

Maya Halpern, staff writer
November 11, 2021
Best Buddies members work together on fun activities.

Best Buddies Club looks to build new friendships

Maya Halpern, staff writer
November 8, 2021
Senior Luke Jordan holds his vaccination card. After receiving his second dose in April, he has carried it with him ever since.

COVID-19 continues to disrupt education

Maya Halpern, staff writer
October 23, 2021
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