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
Senior Quincy Hunter-Williams approaches the Trojan's goal, anticipating senior Lucas Zuniga's corner kick. The Cats eventually equalized from another corner later in the game, scored by senior Lucas Brenowitz. (courtesy Spencer Robinson)
Boys’ soccer exits playoffs after penalty shootout loss
Dylan O'Brien, Staff Writer • Nov 5, 2025
The stage crew works on the sets for the play. The sets design accompanies magical elements unique to other theatre productions.
Crew transforms stage for ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’
Vania Charo, Online Managing Editor • Nov 4, 2025
Walter Johnson's varsity cheer team performs their stunt routine during counties. After overcoming multiple injuries earlier in the season, the Wildcats came back strong and hit their routine with confidence, advancing to regionals. (Courtesy Sofia Jalil)
WJ Cheer overcomes injuries just in time for counties
Gabi de Campos, Online Sports Editor • Oct 30, 2025
Defender freshman Elena Dugan delivers a decisive throw in to end an epic playoff match against Gaithersburg. The Cats went on to win in double overtime.
Girls’ soccer battles through playoffs
Mira Mann, Online Sports Editor • Oct 29, 2025
American flags flutter in front of the U.S. Capitol more than a month into the continuing U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Veterans Day Gets Sidelined in Montgomery County
Mona Al Rasheed, Online Feature Editor • Nov 11, 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
Dea Krasniqi
Dea Krasniqi
Staff Writer
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WJ Sports
Junior Emilia Zhang spikes a ball in the first round of playoffs against the Gaithersburg Trojans. The Cats won this match in an efficient 3-0 sweep, pushing themselves into the regional semifinals.
Sophomore Ruby Bonior holds the ball in her possession, trying to fight off a Baron defender while also looking for an open teammate to send the ball down the field to.
Senior Max Fischer strides through his in-swing, drilling the game-winning field goal to send the Wildcats home with a win against Blake under their belt. (Courtesy Isaac Leventhal)
Flag football celebrates its annual senior night. There was clearly a higher number of parents than friends in the crowd, supporting the players.
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
After an intense pickleball match, seniors Ben Goodstein, Eli Frankel and Arya Alemansour stick around to gather equipment and clean up the court, keeping the team’s spirit of cooperation alive even after the game ends.
"I had to make funny TikTok videos and post them. They were really embarrassing." Kyle McCain, 12
Videos
Day in life with Larry Hurd
Behind the scenes of WJ’s 2026 homecoming dance
Josiah Koko, Special to the Pitch
HOCO Hall 2025: Decades
Ethan Pletter and Graeme Pearce
BSU hosts annual block party
Meher Parsinni, Josh Hananel and Xavier Alexander-Pounds
Feature
Co-Presidents of the Performative Club, Seniors Paul Do and Aidan Li, pose for a picture. Both are wearing AirPod Maxes, and various accessories, displaying their passion for performative club.
New Performative Club whisks up at WJ
Finn McArdle, Senior Opinon Editor
Senior Lucas Knapp gets into his car parked near Davis Library at the end of the school day. When leaving school, it’s important to take extra caution in the parking lot as that is one of the busiest times of the day. “I’m not surprised, novice drivers usually have the hardest time getting used to driving outside and a school parking lot is probably one of the most dangerous places,” Knapp said.
Driving tips to brake up with bad driving
Elanor Saybolt, Online A&E Editor
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
Tackling today's trends
Tackling today’s trends
Karla Fabregat and Henry Haskell
Arts & Entertainment
Pep band waits for students to arrive all set up on the field. "Some of the kids do [dress up], but we are mostly just there to provide accomany for the parade," Dr. Michael Helgerman. (Courtesy Marney Jacobs)
Walking to the beat of the drums: Ashburton hosts its annual Halloween parade
Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
Bad Bunny admires the crowd after he finishes performing "Monaco" in his Most Wanted Tour. "I love watching him perform; he's such a good performer," senior Renata Andrian said.
Halftime Heat: Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show sparks political debate
Karla Fabregat, Social Media
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
Opinion
Leadership of the Math Honor Society meet to discuss future plans for creating a math mural and future plans for tutoring. Many members agreed that the show-up rate has been rapidly declining from the beginning of the school year.
School resources are not being used properly
Nila Amin, Staff Writer
P/cp: Emotional vs academic intelligence
P/cp: Emotional vs academic intelligence
I've known since childhood that I want to become an attorney. Interning at the Circuit Court has allowed me to live this dream and prepare for my future career.
Circuit Court welcomes high school interns
Mona Al Rasheed, Online Feature Editor
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
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