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 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 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
Ethan Oyeniyi

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer

My name is Ethan Oyeniyi and I am a senior staff writer. I play for the schools Symphonic band and varsity lacrosse team.

All content by Ethan Oyeniyi
The Canada trip is a great way for upperclassmen to bond through new experiences.

Upperclassmen hit the slopes

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
February 18, 2020
Senior Chris Dorrer chases down a loose puck. The team lost 4-3 but rebounded in their rematch against Wooton with a 3-3 draw

Winter sports in review

Arturo Alipio, Ethan Oyeniyi, Elana Renbaum, Ben Files, Zachary Meyers and Isaac Snow
February 14, 2020
Sophomore Alexa Hackmann lines up for a free throw against the Seneca Valley High School Eagles. Hackmann started the season on JV, but due to the struggling varsity team, was pulled up in mid December.

Basketball looks to rebound after shaky start

Elana Renbaum and Ethan Oyeniyi
January 18, 2020
About a week before their first game, senior Josh Forburger working his way throught the drills at practice he strengthen the growth of himself and the team.

Boys’ basketball’s past prosperity guides bright future

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
December 7, 2019
Senior Jenna Goldberg wins first place at the 2019 Great American XC Festival. Goldberg beat the course record with a time of 17 minutes and 28 seconds.

Athlete of the issue: Senior Jenna Goldberg sprints to state victory

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
December 7, 2019
Girls come out on top against Kennedy High School on senior night. The girls won the match 3-0.

Girls’ volleyball head to playoffs

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
October 31, 2019
Many students get excited about dressing up and dancing at the homecoming dance, while others view it as a waste of money. Is homecoming worth it?

Homecoming dance: is it worth it?

Jackie Maloney, Izzy Zavareei and Ethan Oyeniyi
October 22, 2019
Freshmen Bardia Hormozi (left), Sean Blakeslee (middle), and Sammy Gramlich (right), complete their very first high school pep rally.

Freshman fight their way to varsity

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
September 28, 2019
WJ girls volleyball celebrate after scoring a point against Sherwood High School.

Girls volleyball sees successful start to season

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff writer
September 27, 2019
The Premier Lacrosse League is looking to break through as the next professional lacrosse league. Two others, Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League have yet to see success to the level of other major sports leagues in the US and Canada.

New professional lacrosse league is underway

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff writer
June 11, 2019
MCPS faces similar questions about standardized testing late in the year once again. Many believe the system needs reform, and these recent issues strengthen that argument.

WJ June news briefs

Sadie McMullen, Ethan Oyeniyi and Will Cohen
June 7, 2019
As the 2018-19 school year nears its ending, many final assesments are being made about the quality of education in the county's schools. WJ has apparently fallen behind its counterparts such as Whitman, Churchill and Wootton.

WJ news updates

Will Cohen, Ethan Oyeniyi and Koby Epstein
May 17, 2019
MCPS has been contemplating several changes to the school system in recent weeks. It remains to be seen whether many of the proposed changes will take place.

MCPS updates

Austin Mucchetti and Ethan Oyeniyi
April 16, 2019
MCPS calendar up to debate once again, new changes proposed

MCPS calendar up to debate once again, new changes proposed

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
April 15, 2019
The main character of Glass: James McAvoy speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International. McAvoy spoke about previous movie "X-Men: Apocalypse."

“Split” Movie Sequel: “Glass”

Ethan Oyeniyi, Staff Writer
February 26, 2019
Load More Stories
Donate to The Pitch
$356
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal