The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The girls' cross country team runs together as a group during a workout to prepare for their next meet. After placing fifth at states last year, the Cats will be looking to carry their success into this season and build on it. (Courtesy Sophia Barrett)
Fall Sports Previews
Sep 5, 2025
The Democracy Bl. + Davis Library Metrobus stop now features the sign for the M70. WMATA has changed the signage for stops across the region as they are now 16 days away from igniting the program.
Metrobus to initiate Better Bus Network starting June 29
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Jun 16, 2025
From left to right, Farhad Sharifai, coach Guido Zucconi, Jakob Lindsey and Javier Diaz celebrate their commitments to playing Division III soccer at their respective colleges during the Senior Signing Ceremony on May 22. Zucconi is extremely proud of the trio and not only the work they have done on the field for WJ but also how they have matured off it. “Coaching them has been great,” Zucconi said. “I've never had a problem with them, and just like any family, we've had our fights, but it's always been super mature. I'm really impressed by how three young men have taken coaching, instructions and stood up for themselves when needed. We've always found a way to come together at the end, even if we were frustrated with each other.” (Courtesy @wjboyssoccer via Instagram)
Varsity soccer trio commit to D3 colleges
Toby Magary, Print Sports Editor • Jun 13, 2025
The map of the soon-to-be purple line. The line will connect downtown Bethesda with New Carrollton Station, with stops at College Park and Silver Spring.
The Purple Line controversy continues
Bea Roberts, Online Editor-in-Chief • Jun 13, 2025
Senior Emmanuel Marquez-Castro runs with Boys' Baseball's state championship banner. The baseball team received a warm welcome after their win last May in Maryland's 4A state championship.
Photo Gallery: Fall Pep Rally
Jonathan Bahat, William Murphy, Karen Cedillo Gutierrez and Meher Parsinni • Sep 6, 2025
Upcoming Games
Walter Johnson HS
Quince Orchard HS (Home)
Sep 17 /7:00pm / Field Hockey
Walter Johnson HS
Churchill High School (Home)
Sep 18 /7:00pm / Football
Walter Johnson HS
Quince Orchard High School (Away)
Sep 18 /7:15pm / Girls Soccer
Walter Johnson HS
Whitman HS (Away)
Sep 19 /7:00pm / Field Hockey
Walter Johnson HS
Whitman HS (Away)
Sep 19 /6:30pm / Girls Volleyball
Walter Johnson HS
Wootton HS (Away)
Sep 22 /4:30pm / Flag Football
News
Two Chromebooks, the newer gen 3 (below) and the older gen 2, (above) sit on a desk. While most students still use the older Chromebooks, WJ no longer has any replacement old Chromebooks, only new Chromebooks
MCPS introduces new Chromebooks for students
Gavin Tribble, Print News Editor
MCPS releases potential boundary options
MCPS releases potential boundary options
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
(Seyun Park)
MCPS to release Woodward boundary study options
Gavin Tribble, Print News Editor
MCPS updates PMD policy for next school year
MCPS updates PMD policy for next school year
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Meet the Staff
Nila Amin
Nila Amin
Staff Writer
Decorative Background
2025 Senior Issue
Latest in Print
WJ Sports
Hunter Parler effortlessly controls the ball in practice for his club, Lions Soccer. Parler aims to improve both his first touch and leadership on the field.
Senior Connor Mcgee performs a split squat in his home gym. Weightlifting is crucial for athletes to maintain and build up their strength in the off-season.
Junior midfielder Evie Avillo awaits a free kick to be kicked in her direction. The Wildcats dominated the Blazers in the regular season, adding a win to their seven win season.
Junior Marie Boy and sophomore Zoe Rojas pose after placing third in the MPSSAA state tournament. The duo lost in the semifinals to RM side Ellen Bu and Jiajing Zheng.
Athlete Profile
Senior Noah Butterfly swims butterfly in a WJ Swim Meet. Although fly is his best stroke, Potter also medaled as an anchor of the 200 freestyle relay at the state championship, with a final leg of 45.1. Potter's time was enough to help break a school record, which people have come to expect from Potter.(Courtesy Marcus Chen)
Senior swimmer etches himself into history books
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Mar 7, 2025
Senior Kendall Alexander goes up for a contested layup against the Quince Orchard Cougars. Alexander led the team in points last season and helped the Wildcats make it to the second round of the playoffs.
Alexander soars to next level with NC Central commitment
Isabel Chomas, Staff Writer • Dec 13, 2024
Junior Wilson Faucette cycles in a race as a part of the USA Cyclocross series. Faucette has had an impressive season and will be competing in nationals in December. (Courtesy Wilson Faucette)
Pedal to the medal: Faucette, Gentry cycle around Bethesda
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Nov 15, 2024
Photos
A senior holds her diploma in the air after the two-and-a-half-hour ceremony. This marks not only the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a new one after years of hard work and perseverance.
Performers gather together cheerfully following the end of International Night. "I think International Night is special because it is the only event that's almost entirely run by ESOL students," Won said.
Videos
BSU hosts annual block party
Meher Parsinni, Josh Hananel and Xavier Alexander-Pounds
Behind the scenes of male poms
Joshua Singer and Mateus Bouquet
Protestors rally at NIH against DOGE cuts
Josh Hananel and Jay Resnik
Spring Sports Preview: Boys’ Lacrosse
Feature
Flip flops get more and more common as the summer months approach. This leads to the question, when and where should they be worn?
Flip Flops: In or out?
Addie Strbak and Finn McArdle
A group of freshman await instruction in a 7th period biology class. Biology is usually the first high school science class that freshman take as they learn to adapt to the rigor.
Freshman reflect on school year
Megha Mohanty, Staff Writer
Lead singer Melvin Garcia Fuentes of DC originated band LUUNA sings their original song, IDWGO (I don’t wanna grow old).
WJ students active in the DC music scene
Macie Redmond, Special to the Pitch
Maryanna Donahue, Sonya Lewis and Kenneth Ong take attendance for their classes. Though the three substitute teachers come from very different walks of life, they all have found purpose and comfort in the walls of WJ. “The level of expertise among the teachers and student body is such that you’re constantly stimulated and I don’t feel negative about what I see everyday coming from the students. I actually feel energised,” Lewis said.
Substitute teachers sub their professions for teaching
Marie-Isabelle Nachega, Print Managing Editors
Arts & Entertainment
The Instrumental Spring Concert on Thursday, May 22 was the last concert from the music department. On May 21, all four choirs (General, Advanced, Madrigals, and Show) and WJs three acapella groups (Chocolate, Red Velvet and Vanilla) also performed. "I'd say for the spring concert in particular, there are nods to the seniors as well, where we, for example, yesterday, the seniors sang the first verse of the last song all by themselves and it's very much like a goodbye kind of concert." Dr. Michael Helgerman said.
Photo Gallery: End of the year orchestra performance
Characters Dawn, Steve, Garret, Natalie, Sebastian and Henry pose for a Minecraft movie trailer poster. The movie was released on April 4, 2025 to an enthusiastic audience.
Chicken Jockey causes chaos
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor
Fashion club president and founder, senior Marissa Campos models her designed garments. "We were just getting it all together, trying to get that real vibe of a fashion show, kind of like a school version of the Met Gala," Campos said. (Courtesy Nila Amin)
Fashion club struts in style
Henry Haskell, Online A&E Editor
Tilden Woods Pool is a hot spot for WJ lifeguards, whether it's for relaxing by the pool or being on watch, patrolling the pool.
Wildcats on watch: WJ students spend their summers as lifeguards
Karla Fabregat, Social Media Manager
Opinion
The play Romeo and Juliet features multiple interesting scenes. The play has been read by WJ students for the 2024-2025 school year.
“Romeo and Juliet” isn’t a good read for English class
Simon Lynn, Copy Editor
The combined flags represent my life as I travel back and forth from my two homes. (Courtesy Solorion Brando via Devianart)
Living the American Dream
Ye'ela Zilberman, Special to the Pitch
Katharina Matro's AP World History class watches 2001 Bollywood film "Lagaan". The film follows a group of Indian villagers as they accept a wager to win a cricket match in order to evade two years worth of taxes. Though the film is set in the context of British colonialization it is still manages to be a lighthearted and entertaining film.
Post-exam activities entertain, educate students
Marie-Isabelle Nachega, Print Managing Editors
When students take exams, there is always a concern that someone will be cheating. Students might bring in their phones, notes, and other things that will help them succeed on these exams, but not show their skills or knowledge. Courtesy of CCNull via Creative Commons
College Board has a big problem with exam security
Ivan Duchkov, Staff Writer
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