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
Elli Karistinou

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor

Senior Elli Karistinou is super excited to be a Print Managing Editor in her second year on Pitch. In her free time, Elli enjoys hanging out with her older sister, baking, and binge watching comfort shows.

All content by Elli Karistinou
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

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
November 15, 2024
Students in Adam Zeitlin's seventh-period AP Literature and Composition class analyze Act 3 of "King Lear," the second full length text they will read this semester. Students are encouraged to work together on their notes and discuss with those around them. “I think lit is taught better although I don’t like it as much. My teacher, Mr. Zeitlin is very very good at reading and he really engages you when he reads the novels in class and the explanations that he gives are very detailed and help you understand the text better," senior Mia Milicevic said.

The two Ls: comparing AP Lit, AP Lang

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
November 2, 2024
Sophomore Jonah Wishnoff opens the door for sophomore Ryan Aleman near the weight room. Students are strongly discouraged from letting anyone in and should instead walk by and allow the security system to do its job.

New protocols boost school security

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
October 4, 2024
Many students choose to study independently for standardized tests instead of participating in courses, such as those at Capital Educators, C2 Education or Everest. Khan Academy, an education website run by the College Board, is a fantastic tool for independent SAT or ACT preparation.

Standardized tests bounce back to college admissions

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
September 27, 2024
With colored light bulbs and checkered tablecloths, Comet Ping Pong provides indoor and outdoor seating, both with romantic atmospheres. (Courtesy Comet Ping Pong)

Comet Ping Pong intertwines pizza, paddles

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
June 11, 2024
Junior Mia Milicevic practices her forehand at tennis practice with the WJ girls tennis team. “Sometimes I don’t like [tennis] because you’re alone but most of the time, I do like it for that reason because it really is just you out there. I do experience being part of a team at WJ but in tournaments and when I’m playing outside of school, I like that rush when I win a point because I did it all by myself," Milicevic said. (Courtesy Mia Milicevic)

Milicevic aces her way to the top

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
May 24, 2024
Conquering confrontation: its difficulties, purpose, tips

Conquering confrontation: its difficulties, purpose, tips

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
April 26, 2024
Sophomore Mason Lee encompasses the persona of his character, Enjolras, during a rehearsal of Act One. "I think [rehearsals are] going well and we're very on track [with the squedule]... which is good," Student Assistant Director senior Neena Tavik, who is also playing Eponine, said. (Courtesy Sasha Rotton)

Les Misérables returns to WJ STAGE: A story about love, justice and hope

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
March 21, 2024
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Staci Gallun – Class of 2008

March 9, 2024
Juniors Elisa Karich and Agustina Llanos stand in front of the Chilean flag while preparing for the Latin America Assembly which showcased the diverse and intriguing aspects of Latin American culture. “I ended up becoming friends with people that spoke my language, Spanish, but eventually after getting comfortable with them, I started getting more comfortable with people that spoke English,” Karich said.

Immigrating and assimilating: The truth behind settling into the US

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
March 8, 2024

The Change-Up: The Landon Death Lawsuit

Liam Barrett and Elli Karistinou
March 1, 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
Frederick Delello's fourth-period law class creates their own FBI wanted posters that include mugshots, aliases and crime descriptions. “[He’s] definitely unlike any teacher I’ve ever had before. He has an interesting energy, so he’ll be just quiet and then he’ll roast me for being a Colts fan and then just switch back to [teaching about] homicide, but he makes [law] a pretty entertaining class,” senior Noah Clash-Drexler said.

Bills of law and the Buffalo Bills unite in Frederick Delello’s classroom

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
December 21, 2023
The holiday season can be an amazing experience, with continuous laughter, new connections with family and desired gifts. However, it can also be a stressful time, with family fights and coal as a present, but no matter what, it's always an interesting time.

Experiencing the horrors and joys of winter holidays

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
December 15, 2023
Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) eat at the renowned Katz's Delicatessen in New York City. This scene is an iconic point in the film and features picky eater Sally rearranging her sandwich in just the way she likes.

2000s classics continue to dazzle viewers

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
November 3, 2023
"[I want] the new Playboy Carti album to drop, [but it's] not fully confirmed, because I like listening to Carti and he hasn't dropped an album in three years." --Kyle McClain, 10

Up at bat: What new music are you looking forward to?

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
October 20, 2023
Sasha and Gabby Rappaport sit outside their house on a cold and spooky Halloween night. Dressed in matching hippie costumes and face paint, they easily swooped up the cutest costume award.

Living life like a twin: What goes on behind the scenes

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
October 20, 2023
Minutes after the lunch bell dings, students scramble to line up outside of Giant, patiently waiting to be allowed to enter. “They give you a yellow card pass to enter Giant and then you hand it back to them when you leave. Overall, the whole process of waiting, getting a pass, having to go find what you want, and checking out takes a while,” sophomore Francisco Navas Porras said.

Giant enacts new 25-person lunch policy

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
September 20, 2023
Bridesmaids and sisters Ella and Isa Schaefer-Fortier match in silk dresses. They were going to their aunt’s wedding in Maine. “Having a sister that is close to me in age is really nice because we relate to one another, can help each other when we need it, and can accompany each other at awkward family functions,” sophomore Ella Schaefer-Fortier said.

Siblings take on roles of responsibility within the family

Elli Karistinou, Special to the Pitch
December 29, 2022
Drumline prepares to perform during the fall sports pep rally. Members enjoyed fall events and look forward to upcoming performance opportunities.

School spirit commences with Drumline’s beat

Elli Karistinou, Special to The Pitch
December 13, 2022
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