The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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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
Tackling today's trends
Tackling today’s trends
Karla Fabregat and Henry Haskell • Oct 6, 2025
Junior Chloe Russ gets in her car, which is parked in the student lot without a visible parking permit. "I parked after my appointment, I didn't think it was a big deal even though I technically dont have a parking pass" Junior Chloe Russ said.
Shifting the student lot parking pass frustrations
Gabi de Campos, Online Sports Editor • Oct 6, 2025
Students gather at lunchtime with their friends and discuss the events of the day. High school students seem to stick to their allotted lunch spots. "We've been sitting in that spot since freshman year and we keep coming back," junior Misha Anderson said.
Cliques or Connections: differences between high school and college Social life
Dea Krasniqi, Staff Writer • Oct 3, 2025
Students with 504 plans might have accommodations such as extended time, preferential seating, assistive technology, or flash passes to counseling. According to WJ teacher John Roller, The number of students with 504’s in each class might range from three to 12.
504 plans at WJ: equity or imbalance?
Orit Vainstein, Feature Editor • Oct 3, 2025
Students crowd office doors before the first bell in hopes of correcting class schedules. Students were told to wait outside office doors as a result of the large amount of people waiting to sign in.
Counseling department overwhelmed with scheduling issues
Nila Amin, Staff Writer • Oct 8, 2025
Latest in Print
News
The AC runs unevenly across the building. In English teacher Alexia Remy's classroom, mornings and afternoons are hot, making it harder to teach while eight months pregnant.
Fridge or sauna? Unpredictable AC inconsistencies trouble staff, students
Sophia Roach, Speciality Editor
The "Enhanced" ACT will be the standard moving forward. Students who have already taken the updated version reported enjoying the test more. (Courtesy Sophia Roach via Canva)
ACT adjusts format for the first time in 20 years
Bea Roberts, Online Editor-in-Chief
WJ passes on old system, implements digital hall arrangement
WJ passes on old system, implements digital hall arrangement
MCPS breaks down the academic program analysis into six steps. This timeline factors in time for design, feedback and implementation.
MCPS plans to overhaul academic programs for equity and accessibility
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Meet the Staff
Hanna Vernenkar
Hanna Vernenkar
Podcast Editor
Decorative Background
Upcoming Games
Walter Johnson HS
Damascus HS (Home)
Oct 20 /6:00pm / Flag Football
Walter Johnson HS
Paint Branch HS (Away)
Oct 20 /6:00pm / Girls Volleyball
Walter Johnson HS
Northwest HS (Home)
Oct 23 /6:00pm / Girls Volleyball
Walter Johnson HS
Whitman High School (Home)
Oct 24 /7:00pm / Football
Walter Johnson HS
The Heights (Away)
Oct 29 /3:00pm / Boys Soccer
Walter Johnson HS
Blake High School (Away)
Oct 30 /6:30pm / Football
WJ Sports
The WJ girls' soccer team huddles around Head Coach Neil Gottlieb, preparing to ramp up the team spirit during their pregame tradition of "Jump Around." The Cats trampled the Trojans on senior night, 4-1.
The Wildcats gather in the huddle to regroup their offensive tactics. The Wildcat offense was held to 13 points by the Screaming Eagle defense. (Courtesy Isaac Leventhal)
Girls volleyball looks to build on strong start to the year
Senior Xenia Monti leads a cheer during the game with the mini poms. “It felt really good…I feel like they learned some performative skills,” Monti said.
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
“My favorite thing to do in the fall is probably play soccer, the weather is a lot better," - Aarav Bhandari, 10.
The girls' team gets off to a strong start together at Georgetown Prep's Woodward Relays. Although not a true 5k, this was the Cats' first meet of the season and crucial for them to get off on the right foot.
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
The seating chart debate at WJ
The seating chart debate at WJ
Finn McArdle, Senior Opinon Editor
Assistant Principal Brett Imamura oversees student transition. Though Imamura made the switch from middle school to high school just this year, he says the work is quite similar. "At the end of the day it's supporting your students and their safety," Imamura said.
Admin changes bring new and familiar faces
Michal Shmaya and Marie-Isabelle Nachega
Spanish teacher Mara Ponce assigns the class a new activity to enhance their grammar skills. Ponce assigned group and independent work to help students learn the material.
World Languages: A learning experience or a scam?
Leila Singer, Print Opinon Editor
Senior Varsity Girls Soccer Captain Evie Avillo presents the senior players at the Spring pep rally. The girls decided to go with the Smurfs theme, with each grade dressing as a different Smurfs character.
New pep rally rules aim to end freshman “hazing” traditions
Yael Saltsman, Staff Writer
Arts & Entertainment
Taylor Swift performing on the Eras Tour during her 1989 set. The Eras Tour traveled to a total of five continents worldwide. (Courtesy Google Images)
Ushering in a new era: Taylor Swift announces new album
Elanor Saybolt, Online A&E Editor
Students select Homecoming dresses to try on at Windsor. The Westfield Montgomery Mall is a popular destination for people to find their Homecoming dresses, as it has multiple stores with a variety of dress options.
Homecoming dress guide: Finding the perfect dress
Becca Dodek, Print Feature Editor
Music teacher Michael A Helgerman sits on his podium at lunch. Many students come to eat, practice their instruments and ask questions during this period.
A different tune plays in the music department
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor
Labubu figurine shows off a brand new Owala and PARKE sweatshirt. Students have become infatuated with Labubus, hanging them in their cars and on their bags.
Tackling today’s trends
Henry Haskell, Print A&E Editor
Opinion
Senior Gabby Scherr lines up with her friends before going to Homecoming. Getting ready with friends is one of the best highlighted moments of Homecoming. (Courtesy Gabby Scherr)
How to make Homecoming better, more inclusive
Addie Strbak, Online News Editor
English teacher Jason Krakower grades student papers. "The new grading policy is ambitious but hopefully it will encourage students to put in their full effort throughout the semester," Krakower said.
Point/Counterpoint: The round up on MCPS grading changes
Students holding phones in a circle. MCPS has changed their take on cell phone usage, they have updated many parts of their policy in order to combat cell phone usage during school hours. (Courtesy of Asheville Recovery Center)
MCPS should have fewer restrictions regarding cell phone usage
Simon Lynn, Copy Editor
Two cars are parked in the student lot with parking passes. These were assigned in the first lottery the week before the first day of school.
Solution to parking passes
Yael Ben Eliyahu, Staff Writer
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