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
Sara Mansouri competes in Florida at the Youth National Championships. Now a captain in her junior year, she serves as a leader on the crew team as they begin their spring season. (Courtesy Sara Mansouri)
A rowing story that started with chocolate bars
Karen Cedillo Gutierrez, Special to The Pitch • Apr 10, 2025
Editor-in-chief Seyun Park delivers a speech at the J-Day conference at the University of Maryland. Park also served on a panel of student leaders during one of the conference's breakout sessions.
Pitch editor-in-chief named Maryland Journalist of the Year
Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief • Apr 10, 2025
Restricted parking leads people to park along the road instead of in designated parking spots. Hit-and-runs have become frequent, hindering students' abilities to travel safely around school. "Towing would be really nice because the parking lot is too crowded, that is why I got hit," senior EJ Mil said.
WJ to implement towing in student lot
Hugo Conquet, Film Editor • Apr 10, 2025
Ronald Brett smiles at the camera after completing his route for that morning. Brett has only been late bringing his kids to school three times, twice due to bus malfunctions.
The bus driver with a smile as bright as his bus
Bea Roberts, Copy Editor • Apr 10, 2025
A memo from MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor to members of the Board of Education was posted online on the Board's online meeting software early this week. The memo outlined various changes coming to MCPS' grading policy next year, although specifics were not available. (Via MCPS)
MCPS to overhaul grading policy
Changes coming next year could include return of final exams, crackdown on 50% rule and stricter final grade rounding policy
Seyun Park, Editor-in-Chief • Apr 10, 2025
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Meet the Staff
Ivan Duchkov
Ivan Duchkov
Staff Writer

Sophomore Ivan Duchkov is heading into his 1st year on The Pitch. He loves playing/watching sports, playing all types of games and also hanging out with buddies and chill.

Latest in Print
News
The Ukrainian Club and several members of the social studies department pose for a photo in front of the slideshow. “The presentation was fantastic, great, amazing, accurate and historically relevant,” social studies teacher Beth Muehl said.
Ukrainian Club hosts meeting with social studies department
Hugo Conquet, Film Editor
Best Buddies members walk around Brookside Gardens. Best Buddies is an opportunity for students in Special Education and other WJ students to form relationships. "I can go to the meetings not having a good day and I'll walk out so much happier," senior Sadie Morgenstern said.
Spread the word to end the word
Sabrina Solares, Online Feature Editor
U.S President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 4, 2025. On Feb. 4, Trump doubled down to relocate the Palestinians from the Gaza strip.
World reacts to Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan, Trump looking to turn strip into beach resort
Ethan Pletter, Online Sports Editor
Thousands of Jewish teens gather at BBYO's International Convention in Denver, Colorado. The four-day event took place over Presidents Day weekend and hosted over 5,000 teens from all over the world.
Jewish teens react to recent surge in antisemitism
Jonathan Bahat, Print Opinion Editor
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WJ Sports
Senior team captain Noah Rosner serves the ball during the team's game against Quince Orchard High School. (Courtesy Aidark Gabdrakhmanov via Lifetouch)
Freshman Alina MacDermott passes the ball to senior captain Ginger Fishberg. The Cats came back down 5-1 against the Vikings, fighting on to win 11-8. (Courtesy Jonathan Gavin via Lifetouch)
Koji Kerby lines up ready to take the handoff from fellow junior Alessandro Marenco during the boys 4x200m. The relay got fourth out of 24 teams.
Frank de Las Casas was surprised with an award for his work as an MCPS staff member. Students and staff throughout WJ appreciate Casas for his kindness and diligence.
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Photos
Many dishes from Southeastern Asia were on offer. Once the event began, long lines of students came to try the food. "It's a celebration, including a lot of fun activities, and it resembles a lot of factors to both Hinduism and a lot of other cultures that are present in India." freshman Arpita Vijay said.
Junior Danilo Paulo smiles after practicing his swing. Throughout the whole practice, the players had smiles on their faces and laughed along with their teammates. "I want to see my players improve throughout the season, learn to play as a team and have fun," Bruneel said.
Videos
Protestors rally at NIH against DOGE cuts
Josh Hananel and Jay Resnik
Spring Sports Preview: Boys’ Lacrosse
Spring Sports Preview: Softball
Spring Sports Preview: Baseball
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Feature
EF Educational Tours is an organization that manages school trips. They will be providing the resources to make WJ's Rwandan excursion possible (Courtesy Neil Palmer.)
Students to expand their cultural knowledge with a trip to Rwanda in 2026
Madeleine Simmons, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
Dr. Richa Agarwala answers a question from senior religion student Elnatan Demelash.
Religion and spirituality of the world through class interaction
Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
Students gather around the flagpoles in prayer for National Prayer Day. The event was organised by WJ’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, one of many religion based clubs at WJ. Junior Tasnim Hussien, the secretary of Muslim Student Association, is hoping to build community amongst people in her religion. “I wanted to bring us together, to create friendships and meet people who understand your thinking and struggles,” Hussien said.
Livin’ on a prayer: Students tie faith to academics
Marie-Isabelle Nachega, Print Opinion Editor
Junior Cyrus Froozan practices guitar with his local church band. Froozan plays in his free time and during church gatherings. Oftentimes, the church sees audiences of up to 200 people.
Music and medals: Cyrus Froozan shoots for the stars
Ben Goodstein, Business Manager
Arts & Entertainment
Junior Cyrus Froozan practices guitar with his local church band. Froozan plays in his free time and during church gatherings. Oftentimes, the church sees audiences of up to 200 people.
Music and medals: Cyrus Froozan shoots for the stars
Ben Goodstein, Business Manager
Senior Valeria Lopes Lamia completes one of her projects to submit to the AP College Board. She worked hard on the little details to make the craftsmanship worthy of being submitted for the exam.
Students sculpt their way to completed portfolios
Olivia Stokes, Print A&E Editor
Junior Benjamin Kish (Sweeney Todd) stands motionless and glares as members of the ensemble exit stage left. "[My favorite part was] using the barber tools to kill the people and to send them down the chutes and stuff," Kish said. "Working with the technology crew was really fun."
Sweeney Todd: The worst pies in London, the best performance of the year
Rhea Noumair and Liam Barrett
Senior Bolu Afolayan poses for the camera, flaunting his unique style. Afolayan likes to thrift for new finds and sometimes wears a piece that stands out.
Bolu Afolayan gives life to garments
Baron Thompson, Staff Writer
Opinion
How MCPS is dismissing the 'student' in 'student-athlete'
How MCPS is dismissing the ‘student’ in ‘student-athlete’
Shae McCloskey, Print Feature Editor
Every year when "fall back" and "spring forward" come around, it sparks argument on the topic of daylight savings. People seem to be fairly split on the issue, with some believing the system should be abolished, and others arguing to keep it. (Courtesy Marco Verch)
Is daylight savings time a net positive?
Finn McArdle, Staff Writer
Partners in crime: Taylor and I celebrate her 14th birthday!
I wanted to rely on the school system: How they let me down
Meher Parsinni, Photo Editor
Although the school year ends for students of June 16, teachers must work until June 19. In the past, marking period four grades have been due earlier than they will be this year, due to the extended school year. (Courtesy MCPS Website)
Case of the Mondays: should MCPS extend the school year?
Graeme Pearce, Print News Editor
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