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
Performers and backstage crew pose for a picture at the end of the three shows. The many flags shown represented the diversity of cultures represented in the assembly.
Hispanic cultures shine in all-school assembly
Dec 19, 2024
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WJ clubs give back during holiday season
Dec 15, 2024
Freshman Meyer Gordon performs at the Cinco de Mayo party at the Needwood golf course. Gordon enjoyed playing live and showcased his talented skills to the audience. (Courtesy Mike Gordon)
Freshman discovers music through drumline, bands, teaching
Dec 13, 2024
Senior Lucas Chang wrists a shot towards the goal against Sherwood. The Cat's offense is on fire helping them win five of their first six games of the season. (Courtesy Parker Kim)
Icecats triumph over RAM to lead off second half of season
Dec 13, 2024
Superintendent proposes $3.61 billion budget
Superintendent proposes $3.61 billion budget
Seyun Park and Hugo Conquet • Dec 19, 2024
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Latest in Print
Meet the Staff
Meher Parsinni
Meher Parsinni
Photography Editor

Junior Meher Parsinni is the Photography Editor for The Pitch. Outside of The Pitch, Meher crochets and enjoys watching films with her cats.

News
WJ, MCPS fall on state report card, other MCPS news updates
WJ, MCPS fall on state report card, other MCPS news updates
Seyun Park and Gabby Davids • Dec 13, 2024
New lights create blinding environment at WJ, steps taken to dim them back down
New lights create blinding environment at WJ, steps taken to dim them back down
Madeleine Simmons, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor • Dec 13, 2024
Senior Jacobo Gutierrez serves food during the ESOL Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 25. Gutierrez was one of many volunteers who worked to create a welcoming environment for new international students.
International students experience Thanksgiving through ESOL luncheon
Jay Resnik, Online Opinion Editor • Dec 13, 2024
Students sit together in the Student Commons and write cards for Romand-Heuyer's family, with Principal Morgan, LFI teachers and administrators standing nearby. "Everyone was really sweet about it," senior Cece Robinson, Romand-Heuyer's buddy, said. "We had a bit of a rough start with some emotions, but I tried to make sure that everyone was trying to think of happy memories rather than being sad that she’s gone."
WJ community mourns student, supports family
Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor • Dec 13, 2024
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Upcoming Games
WJ HS
Wootton HS
Jan 3 /7:15 PM / Boys Basketball
WJ HS
Wootton HS
Jan 3 /5:30 PM / Girls Basketball
WJ HS
Wootton HS
Jan 4 /9:15 AM / Swim & Dive
WJ HS
Whitman HS
Jan 6 /7:15 PM / Boys Basketball
WJ HS
Whitman HS
Jan 6 /5:30 PM / Girls Basketball
WJ Sports
Terrific tip-off: Girls' basketball jumps out to undefeated start
Class of '24 Emma Matalia pins down an opponent in a match last year. Matalia was one of the few girls on the team last year and has helped pave the way for future female wrestlers. (Courtesy Geoffery Prior via Lifetouch, reproduced with permission)
The WJ pickleball team finished off their regular season with a smash. The team tied for first in the county championships last Wednesday, winning the Division II doubles tournament. (Courtesy Dave Hauf via Lifetouch)
Senior J.D Peppelman swims butterfly in the meet against Whitman. WJ boys had a few strong individual performances but were missing key swimmers. "When we have our full team back, we'll win," junior Owen Friedman said. (Courtesy Tom Murphy)
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Videos
Injured athletes discuss if the risk of sports are worth it
Xavier Alexander-Pounds and Olivia Korita • Dec 4, 2024
Trio of new Board members sworn in
Seyun Park, Editor-in-Chief • Dec 3, 2024
Captains of winter sports share thoughts on upcoming season
Addie Strbak and Madeleine Simmons • Dec 2, 2024
Students predict their Spotify Wrapped results
Vania Charo, Online Arts & Entertainment Editor • Nov 26, 2024
Photo Galleries
The track team lines up in front of the crowd in Christmas-themed costumes. Track is the largest sports team at WJ with over 80 members, and the line spanned almost the entire width of the gym.
Eighth grade chorus students from North Bethesda Middle School took a field trip to WJ on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to listen to and sing with the WJ Choir. "It was a very fun experience visiting WJ and getting a glimpse of what going here will be like next year," eighth grader Erin Diamond said. (Courtesy AJ Moncada)
Feature
The class average grades for each AP Bio test hang posted in the classroom for all students to see. Many students appreciate the sense of friendly competition that is fostered as a result of this system.
Academic competition in AP Bio classes prevents cheating
Gil Gordon, Online Editor-in-Chief • Dec 20, 2024
Math teacher Tricia Cooper helps junior Caroline Lasko on a precalculus assingment during lunch. Cooper is consistently available for extra help from students as she tries to leave no student behind. “I think she has such a way to connect with students,” Math teacher Terri Bullock said.
Cooper set to retire after 30 years
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Dec 13, 2024
The derelict Davis Mansion, built in 1926, sits a short distance from the WJ school building. After 40 years of abandonment, the house's exterior has become covered in graffiti and overgrown foliage, creating a foreboding appearance.
Uncovering the mysteries of WJ’s local abandoned house
Jay Resnik, Online Opinion Editor • Dec 13, 2024
Senior citizen Sandy Bragin dances down a line of student volunteers and guests. After the meal, the dancing is a huge part of the luncheon. "We were having a ball out there on the dance floor. It’s great. We’re having a wonderful time," Bragin said.
Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon unites Gen Z, Baby Boomers
Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor • Dec 11, 2024
Arts & Entertainment
(Courtesy Juliescribbles via Wikimedia Commons)
The Pitch’s 2024 Gift Guide
Bea Roberts, Copy Editor • Dec 17, 2024
Grammy Awards are lined up and ready to be received by their winners. The 2025 Grammy's will be on Feb 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Wiki Commons)
A deep dive into 2025’s Grammy nominations
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor • Dec 17, 2024
Senior Marcy Harper, co-editor-in-chief of Spectator, gestures to a piece of art being reviewed by the Spectator staff. "I’m very uninvolved in the discussion about what gets in and what doesn’t get in, aside from if any of the executive heads need me to step in,” English teacher and Spectator's adviser Alexia Remy said.
Spectator updates submission, review processes
Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor • Dec 13, 2024
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift stuns the audience during the 'Lover' set of her world-renowned Eras Tour. Swift performed 149 shows and broke countless records throughout her tour.
End of an Era: Long Live The Eras Tour
Cate Liu, Social Media/Marketing • Dec 13, 2024
Opinion
WJ receives much needed improvement with new regulated lights
WJ receives much needed improvement with new regulated lights
Ivan Duchkov, Staff Writer • Dec 18, 2024
The track team lines up in front of the crowd in Christmas-themed costumes. Track is the largest sports team at WJ with over 80 members, and the line spanned almost the entire width of the gym.
It’s time to improve winter pep rallies
Zack Roach, Social Media/Marketing • Dec 18, 2024
Junior Bruno Lilje studies for the impending Calculus test. The library is filled with students catching up on homework during lunch hours, and seats are constantly occupied.
The underlying effects of an overbearing school culture
Ben Goodstein, Business Manager • Dec 16, 2024
A wide variety of sports at WJ have tryouts meant to find talent among youth. But are they truly worth it?
Sports tryouts bring problems, aren’t worth the hassle
Baron Thompson, Staff Writer • Dec 13, 2024
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