News – The Current

Governor Larry Hogan closes Maryland public schools after COVID-19 outbreak

March 13, 2020

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called for the shutdown of all Maryland public schools on Thursday, March 12 from Monday, March 16 until at least Friday, March 27, among other sweeping regulations designed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The ending date for the closure is subject to change depending on when the Departmen...

Watkins Mill seniors earn highly competitive Posse Scholarship

Jonah Graham, News Managing Editor

March 10, 2020

Seniors Fahad Habona and Rut Bonilla were selected this year to be Posse Scholars, gaining a free education at the university of their choice that is partnered with The Posse Foundation. The Posse Foundation recruits and trains students with great leadership potential to be Posse Scholars. The Pos...

Trone hosts “Cake and Conversations” education panel with Kirwan Commission

Grace Edwards, News Managing Editor

March 9, 2020

During a “Cake and Conversations” event on February 24, Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District Representative David Trone, spoke with Maryland leaders, continuing his support for the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence and their mission to improve education. The Kirwan Commission is an initiative ...

MCPS, county officials work together to handle three confirmed coronavirus cases

Jade Pinkowitz, Editor-in-Chief

March 6, 2020

Governor Larry Hogan confirmed three cases of the coronavirus in Montgomery County, Maryland at approximately 8:15pm on March 5, declaring a state of emergency. Superintendent Jack Smith held a meeting with principals of every Montgomery County Public School today at 9am to elaborate on plans about ...

Trone holds senior workshop in Hagerstown

Katelyn Burley and Grace Edwards

March 4, 2020

After newly opening a district office in Frederick, Maryland, Representative David Trone held a “senior citizen workshop” and resource fair, with an expert panel on February 4, reaching out to the Baby Boomer generation. Hosted in Hagerstown, Maryland at the Washington County Free Library, Tro...

Students attend annual MCPS theatre festival

Fariahah Khan and Zenani Munthali

March 5, 2020

For most people, going on a field trip consists of visiting a museum and viewing old artifacts, but junior Bethany Hurt learned how to kill someone at Montgomery County Public Schools' annual theatre festival. More than 15 schools attended the 2020 MCPS theatre festival, but Watkins Mill High School ...

Prospective IB magnet students visit WMHS in showcase night

Natalie Helsel, Associate Editor

February 25, 2020

Current eighth-grade students and their parents from around Montgomery County attended an IB Regional Showcase on February 12 about the International Baccalaureate Magnet Program that they have the opportunity to take part in for the 2020-2021 school year at Watkins Mill High School. Fifty students...

African Student Association hosts fourth annual African Ball

Shannon Bratt-Pfotenhauer and Melody Safo

February 24, 2020

The Watkins Mill High School African Student Association collaborated with the Clarksburg High School ASA to host the fourth annual African Ball on Saturday, February 22, from 7pm to 11pm. The Ball is an African cultural celebration to honor Black History Month, including performances of African dance,...

Representative Trone opens new office in Frederick to reach constituents

Katelyn Burley and Grace Edwards

February 10, 2020

Maryland District six Representative David Trone hosted the grand opening of his Frederick District Office on January 24 and hopes to address the opioid crisis and mental health, as well as help those in Fredrick who are vulnerable. County council member Kai Hagan, Mayor of the City of Frederick ...

ArtSpeak! connects performers with students in interactive experience

Jade Pinkowitz, Editor-in-Chief

February 3, 2020

ArtSpeak! joined Watkins Mill High School to host LaChanze and Alysha Umphress in a night of Q&A, performances, and trivia on January 23 in the O'Shea Theater. ArtSpeak! is a free program supported by Shugoll Research that brings professional performers to schools in the Maryland area to expose...

Brown leaves football on field, trades coaching for family

Gisell Maravi and Natalie Helsel

January 30, 2020

Varsity football coach Michael Brown, who has been the Watkins Mill head football coach since 2016, will no longer be coaching for next year's football season. Brown announced his decision through a Twitter post on January 11. Brown thanked his family, the team's parents, staff and coaches for being...

Elites visit A Wider Circle as part of mission to end poverty

Grace Edwards, News Managing Editor

January 29, 2020

In a conscious effort to give back to their community, Watkins Mill’s Elites traveled to A Wider Circle on January 17 to sort through clothing and toy donations, assisting in the push to end poverty. A Wider Circle is an organization based in Silver Spring, dedicated to preventing poverty th...