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 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

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor

Senior Jeffrey Cirillo is excited to join The Pitch Online this year as the Co-Online News Editor. Jeffrey joined Journalism 1 in his junior year, and developed a passion for reporting the news. Jeffrey is also a member of the Debate and Forensics teams, a swimmer for the Swim and Dive team and the president of the National Honor Society.

[email protected] 

All content by Jeffrey Cirillo
SMOB Eric Guerci elected to second term of historic significance

SMOB Eric Guerci elected to second term of historic significance

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
May 23, 2016
50 years later: How a WJ alum wrote 37 years of history

50 years later: How a WJ alum wrote 37 years of history

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Apr 12, 2016
The "Fight for $15" storms into Montgomery County

The “Fight for $15” storms into Montgomery County

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Apr 11, 2016
Donald Trump's violent rhetoric threatens democracy

Donald Trump’s violent rhetoric threatens democracy

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Mar 14, 2016
These WJ students are Feeling the Bern

These WJ students are Feeling the Bern

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Mar 11, 2016
P4P off to a fun, frugal start with WJ Thrift

P4P off to a fun, frugal start with WJ Thrift

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Feb 5, 2016
Twitter launches new abuse policy to combat harassment, terrorism

Twitter launches new abuse policy to combat harassment, terrorism

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Feb 3, 2016
Mother sues WJ Crew Club, alleging negligence and sexual assault

Mother sues WJ Crew Club, alleging negligence and sexual assault

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Dec 22, 2015
B-CC junior Eric Guerci was sworn in as Montgomery County's 38th student member of the Board of Education in July. Find out about one of his latest projects: https://www.wjpitch.com/news/2015/12/09/lawmakers-fight-for-expansion-of-smob-voting-rights/

Lawmakers fight for expansion of SMOB voting rights

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Dec 9, 2015
MCPS Board of Education votes to close schools for Muslim holiday

MCPS Board of Education votes to close schools for Muslim holiday

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Nov 19, 2015
A homegrown hero: WJ alum Florent A. Groberg receives Medal of Honor

A homegrown hero: WJ alum Florent A. Groberg receives Medal of Honor

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Nov 4, 2015
In September, the MCPS Board of Education voted to eliminate final exams. Read our breakdown of the policy change here: https://www.wjpitch.com/news/2015/10/12/the-final-exams-issue-explained/

The final exams issue, explained

Jeffrey Cirillo, Online News Editor
Oct 12, 2015
As housing developments boom, WJ faces severe overcrowding

As housing developments boom, WJ faces severe overcrowding

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Sep 30, 2015
Photo Courtesy of Flickr/albertogp123

WJ SAT scores tick up amid countywide drop

Jeffrey Cirillo, Co-Online News Editor
Sep 22, 2015
Maryland Republican governor-elect Larry Hogan took office on January 21 on a platform of fiscal responsibility: https://www.wjpitch.com/news/2015/06/04/hogans-first-100-days-in-office/

Hogan’s first 100 days in office

Jeffrey Cirillo, Staff Writer
Jun 4, 2015
This year’s spike in Homecoming alcohol incidents resulted in twelve student suspensions, by some accounts.

Homecoming Suspensions Ignite Controversy

Jeffrey Cirillo, Staff Writer
Nov 24, 2014
Teacher Profile: Nico Atencio

Teacher Profile: Nico Atencio

Jeffrey Cirillo, Staff Writer
Oct 30, 2014
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