The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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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
Senior citizen Sandy Bragin dances down a line of student volunteers and guests. After the meal, the dancing is a huge part of the luncheon. "We were having a ball out there on the dance floor. It’s great. We’re having a wonderful time," Bragin said.

Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon unites Gen Z, Baby Boomers

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
Dec 11, 2024
Eighth grade chorus students from North Bethesda Middle School took a field trip to WJ on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to listen to and sing with the WJ Choir. "It was a very fun experience visiting WJ and getting a glimpse of what going here will be like next year," eighth grader Erin Diamond said. (Courtesy AJ Moncada)

Photo Gallery: Middle schoolers visit WJ chorus

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
Dec 5, 2024
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
Nov 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
Nov 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
Oct 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
Sep 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
Jun 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
Apr 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
Mar 21, 2024
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Staci Gallun – Class of 2008

Mar 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
Mar 8, 2024

The Change-Up: The Landon Death Lawsuit

Liam Barrett and Elli Karistinou
Mar 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
Feb 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
Dec 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
Dec 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
Nov 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
Oct 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
Oct 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
Sep 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
Dec 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
Dec 13, 2022
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