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

Grant Weaver, Online Sports Editor

This is Grant Weaver’s second year on The Pitch Online, and this year he will be serving as Online Sports Editor. Grant plays baseball for Walter Johnson and loves reading, writing, watching and playing sports.  He is excited to be covering a big year in WJHS sports and national sports.  His favorite sports teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Canadiens.

[email protected]

All content by Grant Weaver
Reviewing the first half of the CFB season

Reviewing the first half of the CFB season

Grant Weaver, Online Sports Editor
Oct 27, 2015
Handball shines in win over rival Churchill

Handball shines in win over rival Churchill

Grant Weaver, Online Sports Editor
Oct 15, 2015
WJ handball primed for success

WJ handball primed for success

Grant Weaver, Online Sports Editor
Sep 17, 2015
The scandal over deflated footballs is far from over, but Tom Brady's appeal has yet to take place.

Deflategate Scandal inflates again

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Jun 2, 2015
WJ Football players stand on the sideline during their homecoming game victory against Northwood.

WJ sports: year in review

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
May 26, 2015
The winner, American Pharaoh (blue), crosses the finish line at the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

Reviewing one of the best days in sports this year

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
May 11, 2015
No fans were allowed in the a game between the Orioles and White Sox on Apr.29 due to safety concerns.

Baltimore Riots Impact Orioles schedule

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
May 5, 2015
Workers earlier his season were building the theater where the NFL Draft will take place.

2015 NFL Draft Preview

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Apr 30, 2015
Wizards PF Kris Humphries attempts to block Golden State Warriors SF during a game earlier this season

Wizards need to turn the corner very soon

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Mar 23, 2015

Family Feud produces success, no feuds

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Mar 11, 2015
Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws a pitch in a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves.

Nationals and Orioles Spring Training Preview

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Feb 27, 2015
LeBron James sports a shirt with the words "I Can't Breathe," in response to the death of Eric Garner.

Sports World Reacts to Michael Brown and Eric Garner Stories

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Jan 8, 2015

Winter Sports Preview

Grant Weaver, Online Assistant Sports Editor
Dec 22, 2014
Wizards guard Bradley Beal looks for a pass in Friday night's game against the Cavaliers.

Wizards Starting to Get Some Love from ESPN

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Dec 1, 2014
Natioanls' manager Matt Williams (left) talks with third base coach Bob Henley before a game this year.

Nationals’ and Orioles’ Mangers Win Highest Award

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Nov 19, 2014

Reviewing Lebron’s Decision to Come Home

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Nov 13, 2014
WJ football players donned camouflage jerseys during the last few games of the season.

WJ Football Sports Camouflage Jerseys

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Nov 10, 2014
Senior Kismet Tuli controls the ball in an earlier game against Northwest this season.

WJ Boys Soccer: Under the Radar

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Oct 22, 2014

College Football Four Weeks In

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Oct 3, 2014
Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws a pitch during a game.

Nationals Look to Keep Up the Intensity in the Playoff Push

Grant Weaver, Assistant Sports Editor
Sep 19, 2014
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