The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
Sonya Rashkovan

Sonya Rashkovan, Online Managing Editor

Grade 12

Why did you join The B&W?

I joined The B&W because of my love for journalism and the Whitman community, and I stayed because of the incredible and uplifting peers on the staff.

If you were a candle, what scent would you be?

Ocean breeze and lemon zest

All content by Sonya Rashkovan
Kemelhor and his classmates placed the plaque near the stadium, overlooking the original location where 35,800 sq. feet Dome once stood.

Photo of the Day, September 30: Class of 1970 unveils plaque commemorating Whitman’s Dome

By Sonya Rashkovan
September 30, 2022
In a video recording from a Student Athlete Leadership Council meeting, students called on their peers to renew their commitment to sportsmanship guidelines that include respecting other players and coaches, avoiding confrontations with referees and cheering on student athletes from the stands.

[Photo] MCPS implements new security measures at high school athletic events

By Ines Foscarini
September 23, 2022
The Board of Education voted to remove MCPS' indoor mask mandate.

MCPS lifts indoor mask mandate

By Sonya Rashkovan
March 9, 2022
Junior Sonya Rashkovan attends a concert in Ukraine for the country's Independence Day in 2018.

There’s more to Ukraine than an imminent invasion

By Sonya Rashkovan
February 21, 2022
MCPS has eliminated the COVID-case benchmark the school district previously used to flag individual schools for possible virtual learning.

Students, teachers skeptical of MCPS’ coronavirus policies

By Sonya Rashkovan
January 9, 2022
A thin layer of ice and sleet covered the parking lot at Walt Whitman High School on Monday.

Snow days mark first since return to in-person learning

By Sonya Rashkovan
January 5, 2022
MCPS has suspended in-person extracurricular activities, except for athletics, because of an increase in local coronavirus cases.

MCPS suspends in-person extracurricular activities due to uptick in local COVID-19 cases

By Sonya Rashkovan
December 19, 2021
Along with a study hall, administrators have implemented a monthly recess for students in hopes of relieving stress.

Administrators implement monthly study hall, recess for students

By Sonya Rashkovan
December 15, 2021
Whitman parent Scott Joftus is excited to "learn a lot" as an appointed school board member, he said.

Whitman parent Dr. Scott Joftus to represent District 3 on Board of Education

By Sonya Rashkovan
December 14, 2021
Building services staff members uncovered a pipe leak in Whitman's building on Monday morning, preventing some students from taking their normal routes to class.

Building services staff respond to pipe leak in school building

By Sonya Rashkovan
November 2, 2021
AP Spanish Literature students pose in black attire during first period on Friday as a symbol of unity against prejudice in MCPS.

Students participate in “Wear Black on Friday,” stand in solidarity with BIPOC community members  

By Sonya Rashkovan
October 18, 2021
Community members remember Board of Education member Patricia O'Neill as someone who was "wonderful," "dedicated" and a leader who will "be missed by so many."

“Dedicated to education”: Patricia O’Neill, longtime Board of Education member, dies at 71 

By Sonya Rashkovan
September 28, 2021
Staff members plastered copies of today's adjusted bell schedule to various surfaces during first period.

Administrators postpone start of MCAP testing due to fiber cut

By Sonya Rashkovan
September 27, 2021
IMG-3508

[Photo] Photo of the Day, Sept. 22: in-person OneWhitman returns

By Stephanie Solomon
September 22, 2021
MCPS community members voiced concerns about overcrowding and insufficient school resources during the Sept. 18 Community Engagement Listening Session with new Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor.

MCPS schools close early Sept. 1 due to expected severe weather

By Sonya Rashkovan
September 1, 2021
The MPD arrested social studies Kirkland Shipley on Tuesday on counts of sexual abuse.

Whitman social studies teacher arrested on charges of sexual abuse

By Sonya Rashkovan
August 24, 2021
MCPS officials hosted a virtual Pride Town Hall on May 26, days before the beginning of Pride Month.

“Making sure students feel acknowledged”: MCPS hosts Pride town hall

By Sonya Rashkovan
June 4, 2021
The Montgomery County Board of Education recognized May 2021 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Board’s vote comes amid a nationwide surge in anti-Asian hate bias incidents and a recent discovery of racist graffiti at Whitman.

Board of Education unanimously votes to recognize May as AAPI Heritage Month

By Sonya Rashkovan and Zoe Cantor
May 18, 2021
Hana O'Looney won the 2021-2022 MCPS SMOB election on Friday. The voter turnout increased dramatically compared to last year's election, in which only 12.8% of eligible students voted.

O’Looney wins SMOB election; turnout spikes 

By Sonya Rashkovan 
April 27, 2021
A jury convicted former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin on Tuesday afternoon in the death of George Floyd. The conviction "shows that things are changing and we are taking some steps in the right direction," sophomore David Akinyoyenu said.

“Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst”: Derek Chauvin conviction relieves Whitman community

By Sonya Rashkovan
April 21, 2021
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