The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Junior club treasurer Lily Bienfang unlocks the equipment collection bin. As of April 2024, the WJ LPF club became the bin ambassador for the Falls Road bin.
WJ LPF club levels the playing field
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
The college and career center there are many pamphlets on college information and SAT/ACT prep. Within the center is Mrs. Evans' office, she can help answer some questions one may have about the next steps
The benefits of college visits
Junior club treasurer Lily Bienfang unlocks the equipment collection bin. As of April 2024, the WJ LPF club became the bin ambassador for the Falls Road bin.
WJ LPF club levels the playing field
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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
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 reused via Fair Use)
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
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 Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
Washington Capitals captain and forward Alex Ovechkin tracks the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram skates behind him getting ready to defend. Both teams are competing for playoff spots this season. (Courtesy Brian Murphy via Wikimedia Commons)
WJ hockey players discuss Capitals’ strong start
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
ASL 2 students eat at Mozzeria, a deaf- owned restraunt. Students practiced their signing with the deaf employees to order their food and drinks.
Photo Gallery: ASL Gallaudet Field Trip
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Anna Hovey

Anna Hovey, Co-Online News Editor

Anna Hovey is thrilled for her second (and final) year writing for The Pitch. When she isn’t busy writing and being a spectacular co-online news editor, she’s often gracing an audience with her exceedingly beautiful violin playing, toiling away over piles of homework, watching “Bob’s Burgers” or sleeping in her warm bed. She hopes to bring groundbreaking news to the WJ community every chance she gets and raise more awareness about the fabulous Pitch Online.

All content by Anna Hovey

Mother’s Day comes and goes, paid maternity leave still off the table

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Jun 2, 2015

Graduation grows closer

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
May 25, 2015

Incoming seniors get a taste of higher education at annual college fair

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
May 25, 2015

“Draw the Prophet” cartoon contest ends in gun violence

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
May 25, 2015
The immense destruction caused by the earthquake in Nepal is heavily reflected on this damaged building.

Earthquake in Nepal means destruction for many

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
May 16, 2015
The ever-popular WJ Male Poms squad performs as the assembly's finale.

WJ Spring Pep Rally showcases spring sports and Male Poms

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Apr 2, 2015
All participators in the African Heritage Assembly take the stage for one last song, "We are the World (25 for Haiti)" by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

2015 BSU Assembly Proves One for the Books

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Mar 13, 2015
Seniors Matty Daza and Ben Resnick address each other while hosting WJ Bachelors.

WJ Bachelors raises thousands

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Mar 10, 2015

MCPS Superintendent Joshua Starr Resigns

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Feb 12, 2015
Obama makes the 2015 State of the Union Address, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House John Boehner.

President Obama Delivers State of the Union Address

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Jan 22, 2015
NASA's Orion spacecraft is launched.

NASA Orion Spacecraft Lays Foundation for Mars Travel

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Dec 12, 2014
The new Barbie doll will be more realistic than the Barbies of the past.

Say Goodbye to Perfect Barbie- “Average Girl” Barbie In the Works

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Dec 4, 2014

New Gay Marriage Changes Underway

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Dec 3, 2014

Patriots Accidentally Include Racial Slur in Tweet

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Nov 20, 2014

MCPS Schools Ban Chemical Ingredients from School Lunches

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Nov 13, 2014

Remains of Missing UVA Student Found

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Nov 6, 2014

UK Stays United: Scotland Votes “No” in Historic Referendum

Kelly Chartrand and Anna Hovey
Oct 27, 2014

Dallas Ebola Patient Dies

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Oct 15, 2014
UVA sophomore Hannah Graham, who was reported missing last month, and has not yet been found.

Missing UVA Student Hannah Graham Still Not Found

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Oct 9, 2014
Principal Jennifer Baker is soaked in ice water by school mascots to benefit ALS.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Generates Varied Responses

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Sep 30, 2014

WJ Students Head Back to School

Anna Hovey, Online News Editor
Sep 14, 2014
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