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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

Noah Friedman, features editor

Noah Friedman is a 2025 graduate.

All content by Noah Friedman
Junior Sofia Sossa celebrates her birthday with friends on Mar. 15. Sossa's birthday was earlier in the week on Thursday, Mar. 13. She said she enjoys having her birthday during the school year so her friends are around to enjoy the day with.

Are birthdays better during summer fun or surrounded by friends?

Noah Friedman, features editor
March 29, 2025
Senior Noah Friedman spends a day of school with English teacher Daniel Pecoraro. This unique experience gave him insight into the challenges, joys and complexities of a teacher's job.

Trading places: the teacher experience from the student perspective

Noah Friedman, features editor
March 3, 2025
Acting Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic Jr. helps direct afternoon traffic in the parking lot. Despite the help of the security team and other staff, the parking lot rules are often ignored. "People can't get out that are trying to get out, and parents don't seem to care," social studies teacher Christopher McTamany said.

Parents just don’t understand…the parking lot rules

Noah Friedman, features editor
February 18, 2025
The cheer team placed fourth in the State Cheerleading Championship in early November. As a two season sport, their responsibilities as a team continue well into the new year as they cheer on basketball.

Cheer, poms handle complexities of their two-season sports

Noah Friedman, features editor
January 13, 2025
Sophie Liu (left) is a rising star in the sport of fencing. "Fencing has brought so much into my life and I really just love and adore every part of the sport," Liu said.

The woman behind the mask; fencing star Liu rises to global stage

Noah Friedman, features editor
December 12, 2024
Former competitive gymnast, gymnastics coach and poms dancer Anna Illarionov flies through the air during a routine. Illarionov earned a medal at each of the Junior Olympics and nationals competitions she competed in during her career.

Accomplished gymnast Anna Illarionov looks to guide next generation

Noah Friedman, features editor
November 17, 2024
In recent years, the community has seen an increase in antisemitism and other forms of hatred. School initiatives like the "Be the 'I' in Kind" can help to promote a more welcoming environment for all students.

Antisemitism: combating a hatred old as humanity

Noah Friedman, features editor
October 28, 2024
Assistant Principal Stephanie Labbe reviews notes from a classroom observation. These observations are key for teachers' development.

Classroom vibes are off, administrator observations are complex

Noah Friedman, features editor
October 4, 2024
College freshman Sofia Gabrielle readies for the first day of school with her younger brothers, sophomore Luke Gabrielle (left) and freshman Tino Gabrielle (right). Sofia and Luke spent a year together at school last year. Luke will now have to adjust to life without his older sister in the building.

One is the loneliest number: Younger siblings adjust to school on their own

Noah Friedman, features editor
September 12, 2024
Junior Miguel Giron uses a calculator to solve a complex math problem. Calculators play a big role in high school math classes but some students argue that they still are not used enough.

Calculator controversy: What role should they play in school?

Noah Friedman, staff writer
May 21, 2024
Science teacher Gavin Kramar is heading toward the end of his first year at this school. Kramar considers himself lucky to be teaching here and it is particularly special for him because he is a former student.

New teachers reflect on first year at school

Noah Friedman, staff writer
May 1, 2024
Common Sense usually focuses on the perspectives of those within our building, as it should. But there are dramatically different opinions about the school from external sources. What do they think of Wootton?

Wootton from the outside looking in

Noah Friedman, staff writer
April 22, 2024
The SGA wrapped up their spring project with the second annual Color Run. Students had a blast running or walking the one-mile loop and getting covered in the colorful neon powder.

SGA spring project helps ‘Wootton Give Back’

Noah Friedman, staff writer
March 20, 2024
Seniors Stanley Anshon, Ryan Hu and Jadyn Welsh took a guided tour at the University of Maryland. Guided tours are one of the best options for students when visiting a college. campus.

Guided tours, meeting students: how to get the most out of college visits

Noah Friedman, staff writer
March 5, 2024
Common Sense staff writer Noah Friedman's graduation status shows the courses required to graduate. Financial literacy is inexplicably not one of the courses on the list.

All students should cash in with financial literacy

Noah Friedman, staff writer
February 13, 2024
Sophomore Maya Bellamy brings the ball up the court during a home game on Dec. 19 against Churchill.

Girls’ varsity basketball fights hard to stay around .500

Noah Friedman, staff writer
January 10, 2024
Senior John Yi performs with the boys' soccer team at POTH on Dec. 6.

2000’s themed POTH was throwback hit

Noah Friedman, staff writer
December 18, 2023
Sophomore Lilly Kendall stresses over her chemistry homework.

Answering classic debate: Biology easier than chemistry

Noah Friedman, staff writer
November 17, 2023
The new MCPS policy will make the end-of-the-year exam in biology and government classes worth 20% of the semester two grade. This policy comes into effect this school year starting with the Class of 2027.

MCAP becomes 20% of biology, government grades

Noah Friedman, staff writer
October 29, 2023
Colorado University football coach Deion Sanders has led the team to a 3-1 record in his inaugural season with the team.

Colorado football is entering primetime

Noah Friedman, staff writer
October 2, 2023
New security team leader Ray Blankenship directs junior Jake Lachter to his class. Blankenship wants students to know that the security team is there to support and connect with them.

Ray Blankenship: the man keeping school safe

Noah Friedman, staff writer
September 15, 2023
Sophomore Alex Foster works on a practice AP US History exam. AP US History is one of the seven exams taken on computers this year. The College Board is using an app called Bluebook for online exams.

AP exams online or on paper: what’s best for students?

Noah Friedman, staff writer
June 1, 2023
Choral director Keith Schwartz pictured above in the 2022 yearbook and below as a junior in 2007.

Student becomes the master

Noah Friedman, staff writer
May 7, 2023
Jake Paul celebrates a victory over mixed martial artist Tyron Woodley. This was their second bout and took place on Dec. 18, 2021, in Tampa, FL.

The complicated era of influencer boxing

Noah Friedman, staff writer
March 26, 2023
Counselor Laura Cope and Pupil Personnel Worker Brenda McKenna go over their schedule for the upcoming week on Feb. 15. Planning is an important part of counselors' jobs because they need to be prepared to help their students during the week. “There is a lot that goes into the job; we have to help a lot of students and there is some collaboration between counselors,” Robinson said.

Counselors help students navigate new semester

Noah Friedman, staff writer
February 25, 2023
In a school bathroom, a roll of toilet paper hangs facing out, which is how it should be.

You should take more active role in the direction of your roll

Noah Friedman, staff writer
December 16, 2022
A game ball from the super bowl Mack Hollins won is displayed in Wootton’s trophy case.

Alumni Mack Hollins shines in NFL, inspires students

Noah Friedman, staff writer
December 2, 2022
Math teacher Suzanne Hosking helps a student with algebra 2 problems during advisory.

Suzanne Hosking doesn’t just teach math; she forges impactful relationships

Noah Friedman, staff writer
November 30, 2022
Senior Grillmasters Evan Lewis, Ryan Kunst, Mace Berk and Allie Museles cook before the first home game against Poolesville.

BBQ Club showcases new ideas while preserving traditional culture

Noah Friedman, staff writer
October 19, 2022
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