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
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
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 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
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
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Online Opinion Editor

Junior Brynn Blizzard is the Assistant Online Opinion Editor for the 2015-2016 school year. She is excited for her first year writing for The Pitch Online. Brynn is a third-year president of the Becca’s Closet Club at WJ. Outside of school, Brynn works at Ledo Pizza and plays with her dogs, Beau and Cookie.

[email protected]

All content by Brynn Blizzard
Stop shaming people with different political views

Stop shaming people with different political views

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
May 5, 2017
The power of teachers

The power of teachers

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
Mar 24, 2017
The rivalry that just started already has serious consequences

The rivalry that just started already has serious consequences

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
Mar 2, 2017
Dealing with bad drivers

Dealing with bad drivers

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
Feb 14, 2017
College applications distract students from the rest of their responsibilities

College applications distract students from the rest of their responsibilities

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
Dec 1, 2016
BREAKING NEWS: Video of MCPS students chanting racial slurs go viral

BREAKING NEWS: Video of MCPS students chanting racial slurs go viral

Brynn Blizzard, Opinion Editor
Sep 21, 2016
College admissions improve what they expect from an applicant

College admissions improve what they expect from an applicant

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinion Editor
May 2, 2016
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Survivor of both the attacks on the World Trade Center shares his stories

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinion Editor
Apr 19, 2016
Police brutality is not an accurate reflection of all police officers

Police brutality is not an accurate reflection of all police officers

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinion Editor
Apr 14, 2016
This article about slang is on fleek

This article about slang is on fleek

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Online Opinion Editor
Mar 14, 2016
Kids Night raises money and involves other aspects of community

Kids Night raises money and involves other aspects of community

Zoey Becker and Brynn Blizzard
Mar 1, 2016
Inaugural Kids Night Out proves to be succesful

Inaugural Kids Night Out proves to be succesful

Brynn Blizzard
Feb 25, 2016
Kids Night Out keeps kids occupied, gives parents free time

Kids Night Out keeps kids occupied, gives parents free time

Brynn Blizzard and Zoey Becker
Feb 22, 2016
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinion Editor
Nov 4, 2015
MCPS is not distributing credits appropriately

MCPS is not distributing credits appropriately

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinon Editior
Oct 29, 2015
Everything you need to know about: Raydelle Larizza

Everything you need to know about: Raydelle Larizza

Brynn Blizzard, Online Assistant Opinion Editor
Oct 22, 2015
The death of the(m)all

The death of the(m)all

Brynn Blizzard, Assistant Opinon Editor
Oct 14, 2015
Netflix has been popular for a while, but just recently has been correlated with the idea of people watching it to engage in sexual activities.

‘Netflix and chill’ culture is likely to result in negative repercussions

Brynn Blizzard, Online Assistant Opinion Editor
Sep 30, 2015
YouTube comedian demonstrates true ignorance in viral video

YouTube comedian demonstrates true ignorance in viral video

Brynn Blizzard, Online Assistant Opinion Editor
Sep 21, 2015
Students who have a job often struggle with balancing the responsibility of being a student and an employee.

Saving money in high school is impossible in a superficial society

Brynn Blizzard, Staff Writer
Jun 7, 2015
Some Parents "Uber" Concerned About Kids Using Car Service

Some Parents “Uber” Concerned About Kids Using Car Service

Brynn Blizzard and
Nov 25, 2014
Load More Stories
Donate to The Pitch
$356
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal