The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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.
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
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
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
Sophomore Grace Harrington and father dress down in their regalia for powwow. Photos similar to these hang in her house with her father often reminding her of her Native ancestry. “Some people put little pilgrim decorations up on their house at Thanksgiving, we do not do that, but we do still celebrate it because it brings our family together,” Huntington said. (Courtesy Grace Harrington)
To celebrate or not to celebrate: Thanksgiving’s meaning today
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
Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (left) play Erik and Lyle Menendez (right) in "Monsters." Both images feature the brothers at trial, following their murder of their parents after enduring year of trauma and abuse at the hands of their father. (Courtesy Netflix used via fair use)
The controversy behind the hit Netflix show ‘Monsters’
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 English, math classes
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
A student tiredly walks down a hallway after a school day. Many students feel drained after a day of school, but is WJ the problem?
Is the school the problem? The case for WJ
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
Junior Annie Linkie and senior Anna Kotek run down one of the many hills of the states course. "The race was really crowded at the start and it was difficult to find a spot where I could keep my pace," Linkie said. "Luckily, I was able to run with some of my teammates which always helps with the mental difficulty during the race."
Girls’ cross country bolts over the hills, finishes 5th in state
Junior quarterback Jake Forburger takes the snap from junior center Andrew Corrado during the game against Laurel. Forburger consistently drove the ball down the field, contributing to a 40-13 win.
Wildcats trample Spartans in playoffs
ESOL pumpkin carving
ESOL pumpkin carving
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
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Caleb Kasten

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer

Caleb Kasten is a staff writer. He is a senior and enjoys watching sports.
All content by Caleb Kasten
"I plan to watch with family and friends and root for the underdogs because Maryland already lost." -Evie Avillo, 9

Up-At-Bat: What are your March Madness plans?

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
This bathroom is one of the only private bathrooms in the school which many students take advantage of to avoid the drama in the other bathrooms. This is located near the auditorium.

Security monitoring bathrooms creates discomfort

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 9, 2023
One of few Southwest airplanes that was able to takeoff during winter break. The company caused many delays, cancellations and overall chaos.

Widespread Southwest cancellations disrupt winter break plans

Caleb Kasten and Peter Kahrl
January 17, 2023
Senior Nik Avillo stops for a picture while skiing at Heavenly Mountain in California. Avillo enjoyed skiing more than snowboarding as you can see the poles in hand and skis on feet.

Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which is more popular at WJ

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
December 21, 2022
Aaron Judge trots after hitting one of his 62nd homers in the regular season. Judge is the favorite for AL MVP for the 2022 season.

Who will win? Students predict the upcoming MLB awards

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
November 10, 2022
Netflix's new hit show, Dahmer, sparks controversy over whether this show should have been created. Many viewers have said they felt the show is insensitive to the victims families and shouldn't have been created at all.

Point/Counterpoint: Does ‘Dahmer’ raise awareness or create controversy?

Caleb Kasten and Peter Kahrl
October 31, 2022
Senior Patrick Adams flies a plane as a part of his flight program. Adams plans to get his pilots license by the spring, so he can apply to a college with a Navy ROTC program to continue his flight training.

From classroom to cockpit: senior takes his abbreviated schedule to the next level

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
October 25, 2022
A student arrives too late to get a parking space. This student was forced to park on the side of the road.

Parking lot mayhem causes frustration

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
September 22, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
June 14, 2022
Thomas Bryant yelling after ending the Wizards game with a win and played the game of his life. He covered many of his spreads in this game.

Illegal addiction: Students bet on sports games

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
June 13, 2022

The People of WJ challenge

Andrew Plotnick, Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 8, 2022

People of WJ interrupt AP exams?

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 7, 2022

People of WJ: The Health Fair

Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden, Andrew Plotnick and Caleb Kasten
June 6, 2022

People of WJ 3: Students “Pushing P”

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Luke Liden and Andrew Plotnick
May 18, 2022
Junior captain Seba Sani jumps up for a spike to help his team add points to their score. Sani helped WJ win this game to add to their impressive record.

Seba Sani takes his talents to Long Beach

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
May 16, 2022

People of WJ: Episode 2

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Andrew Plotnick and Luke Liden
May 12, 2022

People of WJ: Prom edition

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
May 5, 2022
Tom Brady announced his un-retirement from football through social media on March 13th. The news have caused many reactions in the NFL world and the WJ hallways.

Students reactions to Tom Brady unretiring

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 29, 2022
Netflix has been a popular TV medium among WJ students for years, being considered the original streaming service. But with the rise of competing streaming services, Netflix has lost a lot of beloved content and, consequentially, a lot of fans.

How WJ students are watching TV in 2022

Caleb Kasten and Jack Stashower
March 29, 2022
Alabama head coach Nick Saban shouts at his players during their practice, preparing for last season's playoffs. Despite hopes by many, college football playoffs will not be revamped next year.

Should the CFB playoff structure change?

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022
The start of March brings excitement for March Madness. Students enjoy making brackets and eagerly follow the tournament.

Students excitement builds as March Madness approaches

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022
Walter Johnson students show their school spirit in a varsity basketball game against the Wooton Patriots. After recent Covid-caused rule changes, students are no longer able to attend sporting events.

WJ winter sports seasons are in jeopardy

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
January 31, 2022
Senior Zeke Ross is running in a meet and trying to pace himself so his team can win the competition. Ross' reflection about bieng on cross country is " Being in xc is all about being with your friends and pushing your body further than you think you can."

Seniors experience their last sports season

Noel Haptemariam and Caleb Kasten
January 11, 2022
Junior CJ Newman speaks with school counselor Ashley Weddle. They discuss new classes for next year and how they can fit into his schedule.

New classes offered for 2022-2023 school year

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
December 20, 2021
Bardia Hormozi was shocked when he saw the blocked screen after searching up Cool Math games. He was finished with his classowork and was looking to do something to kill time.

Reactions to coolmath games being blocked

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
November 12, 2021
Students visit their counselors in this part of the building. This is where all the schedule changes get made for students.

WJ students rethink course choices

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
October 12, 2021
The WJ student section represented the school at Churchill with a white out theme. The students were loud and proud as the Wildcats prevailed from a deficit.

How WJ students feel about the return of sports

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
September 27, 2021
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