The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
WJ Food4All serves community
WJ Food4All serves community
MCPS Board of Education members raise their hands in favor of delaying construction at Woodward and Crown High Schools. The plan specifically calls for delaying auditoriums at both schools until funds are appropriated for their construction.
A look at the winners of the Board of Education elections
NAHS brushes up creative murals
NAHS brushes up creative murals
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy analyzes an AP World student's work using the timeline feature in the Brisk program. Brisk allows educators to see students type each word, making it much easier for teachers to ensure that students do not use AI or other students' work to cheat.
New academic integrity systems strengthen WJ grading system
With phase I of construction completed, Woodward High School now accommodates Northwood students. Phase II and III of the project have yet to be started, and will likely incorporate the construction of an athletics field and auditorium. (Courtesy MCPS)
MCPS miscalculation leads to $39 million construction deficit
(Courtesy Maryland GovPics - The Celebration of Maryland Black Excellence Reception via Wikimedia)
Alsobrooks wins major fight for Senate seat
A group of Israelis in the community rally together on Montrose Bridge. They decided to gather together around 6:30 a.m., marking the exact one-year anniversary of the war. (Courtesy Liann Keren)
Oct. 7: the impacts one year later
Two friends play video games together through their TVs. They met through social media, and have become best friends since thanks to the internet. Without it, their friendship wouldn't have been possible, as it is the case for many real life relationships.
How social media has changed relationships
AP Calculus teacher Rachel Zussman works on finishing up her grades prior to the end of the quarter. With many teachers wanting change in the MCPS pay system, a performance-based pay system is an intriguing idea.
Teachers reflect on performance-based pay system
Senior Mwape Sokoni (middle), junior Daniella Ngah (right) and senior Michelle Lett (left) practice a routine in the cafeteria. Step Team practices diligently, performing the routine until the entire group catches on.
A force for good: Mwape Sokoni’s social impact on WJ
Club president Sadie Morgenstern and treasurer Brady Chan embrace in a hug with his younger brother, Ryder, at the annual friendship walk last year. “The walk is a fun way to interact with people from other schools and everyone seems to really enjoy it,” Chan said.
Generational friendship: Best Buddies between siblings
A family happily enjoys a holiday meal together, with all the members seemingly enjoying themselves except for the only child in the image. We all know what she's going through and wish we had something-anything to talk to our extended family about.
No politics, just pie: seasonal dinner table topics
Ariana Grande as Ghilda whispering in Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba's ear. A fan edit of this poster caused controversy with Cynthia Erivo. (Courtesy Universal Pictures)
Wicked movie promotion causes mixed reactions
A group of kindergarteners sit on the carpet listening to their teacher tell them about the months of the year. Teenagers feel nostalgia when remembering how they used to sit on the carpet in elementary school. (Courtesy woodleywonderworks via Wikimedia Commons)
What nostalgia means to teenagers
Vijay Kannen (11), Bertie Bennett (11), Theo Hansen (11) and Idan Tzioni (12) pose for a photo at the Junior's Homecoming Hallway. Their performance caused a traffic jam as students stopped to listen to the music. (Courtesy Paul Gomes)
Jazz quartet reaches for the high notes
Pep Band plays a song at a home fall football game. "I think pep band is for people that want to go to football games a lot and maybe don't have people to go. It's a place to have fun with a lot of friends," pep band captain senior Theo Hansen said.
Putting the pep in WJ’s step: pep band rallies “juice,” builds community
Opening night's narrators, juniors Yuri Sternberg and Sasha Rotton, turn to watch as a wave of confetti is dropped onto the stage. The performance was unusually colorful, complementing its chaotic nature. "I’m really proud of the cast and the way we were able to come together and work towards putting on the show,” Rotton said.
STAGE salvages ‘Grimm’ choice of play
Backstage with WJ STAGE
Backstage with WJ STAGE
President-elect Donald Trump speaks to a crowd at a 2024 Arizona rally. Trump swept all seven swing states and won the popular vote en route to a victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. (Courtesy Gage Skidmore via Flickr)
Alienating Trump voters is counterproductive
The college application process is stressful for all seniors; many students work their way up the grades with stacked extracurriculars. However, student-athletes seem to be favored more than "regular" applicants. (Courtesy Empowerly)
Student-athlete or part-time worker; which weighs more?
Senior Ginger Fishberg defends the ball against an opposing player during a varsity girls' soccer game against Blair. Despite her obvious athleticism, as well as that of other varsity athletes, she is still required to take a full year of Physical Education to earn the credit. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Varsity athletics should count as a gym credit
Almost every student takes the ACT or SAT and many take both. Preparation outside of school often correlates with high scores. (Courtesy Citrus County School District)
ACT/SAT prep should be accessible in class
The WJ Baby is held up for a photo by one of its fans during a football game in 2021. Unfortunately, the baby was only able to attend one football game this season before being incarcerated. (Courtesy WJ Baby)
Free the WJ Baby
Common slang ranked from best to worst
Common slang ranked from best to worst
Junior WR Corey Dooren checks with the referee that he is on the line of scrimmage. Dooren helped step up throughout the Wildcat's season and will continue to step up as he matures into a senior next year.
Panthers pounce Wildcats, ending football season
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Senior Ginger Fishberg defends the ball against an opposing player during a varsity girls' soccer game against Blair. Despite her obvious athleticism, as well as that of other varsity athletes, she is still required to take a full year of Physical Education to earn the credit. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Varsity athletics should count as a gym credit
Captain Patrick Murphy skates past a defender on a race to the puck. Murphy's defense was a huge contributor in the 1-9 win against Blair.
Icecats breakaway to 4-0 after win against Blair
The cheer squad struts to the floor to start their routine for regionals on Nov. 2 at Harford Community College. The team spent weeks working on their routine and were proud to get the chance to perform it at regionals. “Stepping on to the mat at regionals, I felt really nervous, but I was also very excited because I wanted to show the judges all the hard work we put into the routine,” junior Lyla Cho said. (Courtesy Candice Nsoga-Mahob)
Cheer closes season, scores 4th at regionals
Seniors Ellie Weinstein, Rhea Noumair, Naamiah Corke, and Natalie Annulis celebrate Weinstein's first touchdown of the game.
Girls’ flag football falls to Whitman in playoffs
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Day in the life of a student-athlete
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
Opening night's narrators, juniors Yuri Sternberg and Sasha Rotton, turn to watch as a wave of confetti is dropped onto the stage. The performance was unusually colorful, complementing its chaotic nature. "I’m really proud of the cast and the way we were able to come together and work towards putting on the show,” Rotton said.
STAGE salvages ‘Grimm’ choice of play
Support staff of WJ
Support staff of WJ
Backstage with WJ STAGE
Backstage with WJ STAGE
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Abby Kee

Abby Kee, Print Managing Editor

Senior Abby Kee is excited for her fourth year on The Pitch as a Print Managing Editor. Outside of school, she loves hanging out with her friends and family and playing tennis.

All content by Abby Kee
Should season passes count toward playoffs?

Should season passes count toward playoffs?

Abby Kee, Print Managing Editor
November 15, 2024
Senior Farhad Sharifai works on transcript request forms in the College and Career Center (across from the Counseling offices). Students are required to fill out one transcript request per school. The first five are free and any more is $5 each.

From Seniors to Juniors: Everything you need to know about the college application process

Elizabeth Finn and Abby Kee
November 15, 2024
Junior Sarp Ustundag and seniors Nolan Ross and Taylor White use a net and move rocks to collect macroinvertibrates from Cabin John Creek.

APES students investigate Cabin John Creek

Abby Kee, Print Managing Editor
October 28, 2024
Students listen to Gallaudet University tour. The tour was given by a deaf senior who currently attends Gallaudet.

ASL immersed in deaf community at Gallaudet University

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
April 26, 2024
The 47th SMOB election will take place during school hours on April 17. (Courtesy MCPSTV)

47th SMOB voting to happen April 17

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
April 16, 2024
WJ Acting Principal Nicole Morgan was appointed as permanent principal on March 19. The Board voted in favor of Morgan's appointment unanimously.

Nicole Morgan appointed principal

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
March 19, 2024
Students play 3v3 basketball in the gym during lunch. The tournament lasted two days. "The first day every team was guaranteed to play and the second day was for the semifinals and final," junior vice president Valeria Lopez said.

‘Pennies for Patients’ raises money through February

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
March 15, 2024

Outfits of the day

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
February 23, 2024
Science Olympiad - Neb Mammo

Academic All-Stars: Students shine in club competition

Elli Karistinou, Sara Elster, Abby Kee, Geetanjali Raju and Maya Panicker
February 2, 2024
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight listens to testimony during a Board of Education budget hearing on Jan. 25 as President of the Board Karla Silvestre presides. Officers of the Board, including Silvestre, allegedly asked McKnight to resign the week prior.

Superintendent under fire

Seyun Park, Print Editor-in-Chief
February 2, 2024
Thanksgiving is celebrated all over the US every year. Students and staff gather with family and friends to celebrate and reflect on their year so far.

Students and staff embark on plans for Thanksgiving

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
November 13, 2023
Thousands of fans all over the world gather to watch new "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" movie. A limited edition popcorn bucket and reusable drink cup was sold for $19.89, an homage to her 1989 album.

Is the Taylor Swift Eras tour movie out of Swifties’ wildest dreams?

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
October 20, 2023
Taylor Swift poses for her album cover for her newest rerecorded album, "1989 (Taylor's Version)." Fans are able to pre-order the new album on taylorswift.com.

Swifties get ready to “Shake It Off” Oct. 27

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
October 20, 2023
Third period students get competitive as they participate in a “guess the finger spelling word” game as their weekly “Fun Friday” game. The winning team of the game gets a prize, which contains all kinds of snacks from Dum Dums to Gatorade. “They are really fun and help me practice my signing,” junior Dan Yaniv said.

Kiara Campbell strives to spread ASL community

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
September 29, 2023
Many Ed Sheeran followers across the country are excited for the long awaited Mathematics tour. 21 of his shows will be in partnership with Khalid, following their collaboration on the song "Beautiful People" which dropped in 2019.

Diving back into tours summer 2023

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
June 16, 2023

Q&A with SMOB elect Sami Saeed

Elizabeth Finn and Seyun Park
May 23, 2023
WJ has been closing bathrooms as part of the “Student Restroom Monitoring Plan.”

MCPS implements vape detectors in select schools

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
May 22, 2023
Senior Kevin Murphy goes in for a jump shot during the Pennies for Patients 3v3 tournament on Feb. 16. The tournament was a big hit and raised money for the P4P fundraiser.

Leadership continues to raise money for P4P throughout February

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
February 22, 2023
Across from the Leadership classroom 148, a bulletin board is posted with the fundraising events throughout the four weeks in Feb. For more information visit @walterjohnsonsga on Instagram.

Leadership plans 2023 P4P fundraising activities

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
February 3, 2023
Bonnie Lechner stands behind her pop up shop at Liberty High School. She wanted an outlet where she could show her creative side. “I kind of decided to take the leap and start an Etsy shop…if anyone is thinking of potentially starting their own business or selling something, try it out for a couple months on Etsy and see how it does because it is a really forgiving platform,” Lechner said.

How WJ teachers side hustle

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
January 26, 2023
Seniors Arya Gupta and Megan Walker demonstrate a homemade lava lamp. KAST club hoped to soon branch out to more elementary schools and help highschools start their own KAST club.

KAST club featured on FOX5, receives $2200 donation

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
November 29, 2022
Students and teachers sit in a circle in the Student Commons for Study Circles as admin Nicole Morgan speaks. Over 40 students and staff participated in the October two-day retreat.

Study Circle participants converse, connect

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
October 22, 2022
Pre-Calculus teacher Brian Fairall takes attendance during 5th period before students engage in taking a Unit Test. In past years students were only offered Honors Pre-Calculus and on-level Pre-calculus with WJ in question about adding AP Pre-Calculus, many are wondering how many students will actually sign up for the course.

College Board announces AP Precalculus

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
October 20, 2022
Leadership teacher Sophie Fierst instructs the leadership class on daily class agenda. They are currently working on planning for Homecoming hallways.

Sophie Fierst takes on Leadership sponsor position

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
September 26, 2022
Teens ages 14-19 are eligible for a free membership over the summer until Aug. 31. Planet Fitness has grown to more than 2,000 locations across the country.

Planet Fitness opens gym, free for teens

Abby Kee, Staff Writer
June 13, 2022
The has Mormon Temple has reopened to the public for the first time in almost 50 years. It will remain open until June 11.

MoCo news updates

Seyun Park and Abby Kee
May 24, 2022
@amit4classprez

Meet the freshmen running for class office

Abby Kee, Staff Writer
April 4, 2022
Students participate in Mario Kart tournament on Feb. 3 after school in the Student Commons.

WJ students recap this year’s ‘Pennies for Patients’ events

Abby Kee, Staff Writer
March 15, 2022
Sophomore Emma Burlina plays "Wordle" in the morning on the bus ride to school. "I found out about Wordle through my mom; her friends were obsessed with it," Burlina said.

What is Wordle and why is everyone playing it?

Abby Kee, Staff Writer
March 7, 2022
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