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
Sophomore Evan Silberglied perseveres through a 3-mile race at the Frank Keyser Invitational on Oct. 4. Despite the girls' team winning the meet, the boys' team slumped to ninth out of 17, where Silberglied clocked a time of 17:37.
Cross country pushes for regionals
Toby Magary, Print Sports Editor • 9:57 am
Senior captain Daniel Kim marches his way to the green in a practice round. Kim has been a key contributor in one of the greatest WJ Golf teams in recent memory. "I think it's about as good as WJ Golf will get," Kim said. (Courtesy Ryan Kim)
Golf swings into strong season
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • 9:56 am
Field Hockey ends season 3-1, takes aim at postseason
Field Hockey ends season 3-1, takes aim at postseason
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Editor-in-Chief • Oct 22, 2025
Tackling today's trends
Tackling today’s trends
Karla Fabregat and Henry Haskell • Oct 6, 2025
Junior cornerback Theo Ferrs lines up against the Jaguar wide receiver, ready to contain the route and prevent a completion. The Wildcat defense let up 41 points, allowing Northwest to take advantage of all the mistakes in the secondary. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)
Wildcats fall short to Barons, trampled by Jaguars
Emily Proger, Print Sports Editor • Oct 22, 2025
Latest in Print
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News
Junior class president Reemey Ghermay speaks about the plans for the Homecoming hallways. Each class discussed various topics in descending class order, met by a sparse crowd.
Townhall without a town
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Israelis gather in Hostage Square awaiting the return of the living hostages taken to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Hostage Square, located in Tel Aviv, has been a central spot throughout the two-year war where Israelis have gathered to protest the government and demand the return of the hostages. (Courtesy Reuters)
Israel, Hamas peace deal impacts students
Josh Zelermyer, Print News Editor
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
Simon Lynn
Simon Lynn
Copy Editor
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Upcoming Games
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
Players celebrate after senior Lucas Brenowitz's game winning overtime goal. The goal gave them the win against the number one-ranked Northwest Jaguars. (courtesy Roy Rozin)
Freshman defender Jade Sneed holds up a Blair offensive players flag, signaling to the referee that the play needs to pause. Flags were raised all night due to the back and forth of the two dominant teams looking to add a win to their record.
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)
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
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.
“My favorite thing to do in the fall is probably play soccer, the weather is a lot better," - Aarav Bhandari, 10.
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
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
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
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
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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