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
Jeremy Silberglied

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor

Jeremy Silberglied is a Junior who is thrilled to be in his second year with the Pitch as a Print Sports Editor. Jeremy runs track and cross country for WJ and also is class treasurer for his grade.

All content by Jeremy Silberglied
Girls' soccer falls to QO in region semis

Girls’ soccer falls to QO in region semis

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
November 12, 2024
Point/Counterpoint: Is America overrated or overhated?

Point/Counterpoint: Is America overrated or overhated?

Jeremy Silberglied and Finn McArdle
November 2, 2024
The Wildcats storm the field following the game-sealing penalty kick from goalie Chloe Russ. After an action-filled 3-2 win in penalty kicks, WJ was full of excitement.

Girls’ soccer advances, wins PK thriller against B-CC

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
October 25, 2024
The Wildcats huddle up shortly before the start a game. The team has a big playoff game tonight against B-CC, with hopes of advancing to the second round. (Courtesy Lifetouch)

Girls’ soccer looks to carry 7-3-2 record into playoffs

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
October 23, 2024
Senior captain Ella Hoban attempts a free kick, which was awarded to the Wildcats after a foul on junior Haley Prindle. The Wildcats took down reigning state finalists Montgomery Blair 2-0 on Monday. (Courtesy Lifetouch)

Girls’ soccer defeats Churchill, Blair, looks towards challenging matches

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
October 4, 2024
MCPS parents appeal to Supreme Court in recent LGBTQ books case

MCPS parents appeal to Supreme Court in recent LGBTQ books case

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
October 4, 2024
The girls soccer team lines up before the Oakdale game during the National Anthem. Oakdale ultimately had the upper hand, handing WJ it's first loss of the season. (Courtesy Merrie Gramlich)

Girls’ soccer dealt pair of losses to Oakdale, QO

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
September 18, 2024
"Inside Out 2" introduces new emotions to add to the original five. The film surrounds a bunch of emotionable topics for teens, such as anxiety, one of the new emotions.

“Inside Out 2” portrays everyday teenage problems

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
September 18, 2024
Senior Ginger Fishberg dribbles the ball into the attacking half, with junior captain Evie Avillo approaching behind her. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)

Girls’ soccer dominates Poolesville in shutout win

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
September 10, 2024
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.

Fall Sports Previews

September 6, 2024
The WJ Crew team poses for a picture following the Metropolitan Championships. The team had many good races at the tournament, such as the Girls winning the Varsity 4. (Courtesy WJ Crew)

Crew in review: team paddles their way to success

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
June 12, 2024
Boy and Milicevic pose with the MCPS county championship plaque. The team got first place in the tournament, finishing a great season. (Seyun Park)

Girls’ tennis serves up titles at regions, counties

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Sophomore Addie Strbak converses with sophomore Elizabeth Borrisow in the outfield during their fundraiser game against Springbrook High School on May 2. The players all wore green ribbons in their hair throughout the game to symbolize mental health awareness. (Seyun Park)

Strbak shines spotlight on athlete mental health

Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
LIVE: Softball takes on Urbana HS in state quarterfinal

LIVE: Softball takes on Urbana HS in state quarterfinal

Seyun Park, Jeremy Silberglied and Joshua Singer
May 20, 2024
LIVE: Softball takes on Whitman HS in regional final

LIVE: Softball takes on Whitman HS in regional final

Seyun Park and Jeremy Silberglied
May 16, 2024
LIVE: Girls’ lacrosse takes on Whitman HS in regional final

LIVE: Girls’ lacrosse takes on Whitman HS in regional final

Jeremy Silberglied and Joshua Singer
May 13, 2024
Junior Christina Simpson hits a ball in her doubles match against Quince Orchard. She and her doubles partner, sophomore Sonia Gass, help WJ beat QO 7-0, contributing to the team's current five-game win streak.

Girls’ tennis concludes regular season, sets up for playoffs

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
May 3, 2024
Junior attacker Ginger Fishberg carries the ball during a match. With her scholarship to Butler University, she looks to continue her performance on a bigger stage. (Courtesy Ginger Fishberg)

Wildcat to Bulldog: Fishberg Butler bound

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
April 26, 2024
Girls' tennis falls to Bulldogs, slams Rockets, Patriots

Girls’ tennis falls to Bulldogs, slams Rockets, Patriots

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
April 16, 2024
Junior Miram Elag hits a volley against B-CC on Monday. Elag, along with freshman Zoe Rojas, were the number one doubles pair against B-CC. They won their match in straight sets (6-3, 6-1), helping the Wildcats to sweep the Barons to remain undefeated. (Courtesy Mia Milicevic)

Girls’ tennis slam opponents in start to season

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
April 10, 2024
Team captain and starting pitcher Sami Rosenberg lifts the region champion plaque over her head as teammates celebrate. WJ softball won its region in 2023, a feat the team hopes to repeat this year.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024
Sonia Pegoue (left) and Maddox Zuniga (right) celebrate with their medals after the Maryland state championships. Pegoue placed second and Zuniga placed sixth in their respective weight classes.

Sonia Pegoue, Maddox Zuniga place in states

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
March 11, 2024
Junior Bahdan Kurepkin beats out his opponent to score points for WJ at a meet. Kurepkin is one of the four boys being sent to states on the team, with the addition of three girls also headed to the state championships.

Wrestling completes regions, qualifies seven for states

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
February 28, 2024
GoGuardian has served as an online monitoring helper for teachers. Now, without the classroom tool, questions arise as to how the change will affect the classrooms (Courtesy GoGuardian via Wikimedia Commons).

MCPS to block GoGuardian funding for 2024-25 school year

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
February 27, 2024
Junior Hudson Barrett works on pinning down an opponent to score points for WJ in a match vs Seneca Valley High School earlier in the season. Barrett and the Cats will look to perform strongly in the upcoming MCPS championships to advance further.

Wrestling falls in Battle of Bethesda, looks towards playoffs

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
February 16, 2024
Senior Zach Morales wrestles against an opponent in the first match of the season against Seneca Valley. The Wildcats beat Seneca Valley 49-27 and have gone 3-2 to start the season.

Wrestling in a wrap: team starts off season strong

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
January 18, 2024
Winter sports previews

Winter sports previews

Jeremy Silberglied, Anna Zucconi, Mackenzie Norris, Peter Kahrl, Mateus Bouquet and Lily Tapparo
December 5, 2023
Junior Stella Lichter spikes the ball against Gaithersburg. The team won the match 3-0, but went on to be defeated once again at the hands of Churchill.

Volleyball eliminated in heartbreaker vs Churchill

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
November 15, 2023
Senior Maya Zutshi takes the serve in a 3-1 loss at the hands of Magruder. This was the last game of the regular season for the volleyball team, as they will now look to carry their 9-5 record into the playoffs.

V-ball ends season on loss, set up for playoffs

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
October 31, 2023
Students dancing at the 2023 homecoming dance. With the exception of Seniors, homecoming is likely the only dance that students have the whole school year.

Should there be an underclassmen dance?

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
October 27, 2023
The Wildcats huddle together after a point at home against Gaithersburg HS. The Cats won the game 3-0, extending their current 3-game win streak.

Girls’ v-ball earns 4 game win streak

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
October 19, 2023
Sophomore Celiana Caraballo, junior Stella Lichter and junior Claire Kuemmerle get ready to return a serve against Quince Orchard on Sept. 13 . The team rebounded from a loss two days prior, winning 3-1.

Girls’ v-ball pushes record to 3-2

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
September 27, 2023
Students at a home football game cheering on their team. Because of football games getting moved to thursdays, the student section might become less packed than a normal friday.

Controversial call: Referee shortage shifts football games to Thursday

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
September 14, 2023
Girls volleyball players huddle in between sets during their first game of the year at home vs Watkins Mill. The team won in a blowout, 3-0.

Girls’ volleyball wins first game vs Watkins Mill

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
September 11, 2023
Senior midfielders Ellie Hilton (left) and Olivia McCloskey (right), pictured walking off the field during a game. The two players were both captains, and they both played a key role to lead the girls' lax team to win regionals.

Girls lacrosse team all-county players

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
June 14, 2023
Load More Stories
Donate to The Pitch
$356
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal