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
Jessica Silverman

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor in Chief

Senior Jessica Silverman is so excited to be an Online Editor-in-Chief this year! This is her second year on The Pitch and she’s really happy to help contribute to The Pitch once again! Jessica is also on the Debate Team and loves to watch Netflix and play guitar in her free time. [email protected]

 

 

All content by Jessica Silverman
The newest installment of the Avengers franchise has excelled and beat box office expectations. The movie has become an instant hit, and fans everywhere have been flocking to theaters to see the movie.

Avengers: Endgame review

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 7, 2019
Some teachers have really long commutes to get to school, including commutes from West Virginia. Of 83 respondents, the majority of teachers had a commuted of 16-45 minutes.

Teachers suffer long commutes, discuss challenges getting to school

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Apr 12, 2019
Maniya Jules was recently put on administrative leave after being charged with a second DWI. Jules used to be an Assistant Principal at Tilden Middle School, one of the feeder middle schools into WJ.

MCPS Assistant Principal charged with second DWI, may face jail time

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Apr 5, 2019
Governor Ralph Northam has faced continuous criticism from both sides of the aisle. However, his constituents are split on whether or not he should resign.

Virginia governor continues to receive backlash

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Feb 14, 2019
In a poll with 136 respondents, rap/hip hop was the genre students were most excited for this year. Students specifically indicated they were excited for new music from artists like RIhanna and Sam Smith, as well as for music in the musical theatre and synth-pop genres.

2019: New year, new music

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Feb 8, 2019
The VFD symbol was an image seen throughout the series. Meant to represent the secret society, the Baudelaires finally learned what VFD truly was this final season.

Netflix releases final season of A Series of Unfortunate Events

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Jan 22, 2019
Up @ Bat: Favorite holiday memories (needs up at bat logo)

Up @ Bat: Favorite holiday memories (needs up at bat logo)

Jessica Silverman, online Editor-in-Chief
Dec 16, 2018

Comedy is important in 2018: here’s why

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Dec 4, 2018
Winter Ball is an event that hasn't been popular in previous years. It'll be interesting to see what Leadership does this winter.

Should we have Winter Ball this year?

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Nov 21, 2018
The Common Application website is a site many students use to apply to college. Along with the Coalition Application, these two sites are the most regularly used by students because the same application can be used to apply to multiple schools, rather than filling out a separate application for each school. Photo courtesy of Tomwsulcer, Wikimedia Commons.

College application tips

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Oct 13, 2018
The 2018-2019 MCPS school calendar. Though students had a longer summer break, they got a shorter spring break as a result. Photo by Sam Koskie

Breaks from school need to be spread out

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Sep 28, 2018
Social media influencer Kim Kardashian West has been quite the outspoken figure for prison reform in the United States. Kardashian West proved she was making progress when her efforts helped release Alice Marie Johnson.

Kim Kardashian West works towards prison reform

Jessica Silverman, Online Editor-in-Chief
Sep 20, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War was released April 27, 2018. The movie is close to grossing $2 billion. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Avengers: Infinity War review

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Jun 6, 2018
Students load up on AP classes in hopes to get into more competitive colleges. (Photo credit to grown and Flown)

Are AP classes worth it?

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
May 25, 2018
Netflix released their original series "On My Block" on March 16. The show follows a group of friends finding their way through high school. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Netflix releases new shows and movies

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Apr 26, 2018
There are many alternatives to college that students can participate in after high school. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

College alternatives

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Apr 23, 2018
Disney plans to release "Christopher Robin" on August 3. The trailer released on March 6 got fans of the "Winnie the Pooh" series excited for the upcoming movie. Photo courtesy of Disney Wiki.

Disney teases new movie Christopher Robin

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Apr 4, 2018
Spirit week for the week of 2/20 is shown above. Students aren't participating in Spirit Week as much as they used to

WJ’s lack of spirit

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Mar 12, 2018
Valentine’s Day is a holiday with origins that stem far from its celebrations today. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Valentine’s Day thoughts

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Feb 23, 2018
Spak attack

Spak attack

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Feb 23, 2018
This mural of cows grazing in a field is hangs near the gym on the main level of the school. This piece of art is one of the many that students question the origin. Photo by Jessica Silverman

Walter Johnson art – a travel through time

Jessica Silverman
Jan 29, 2018
Students sit waiting for their counselors to speak to them. Counselors at WJ have to serve over 280 students per counselor, which can be very difficult. Photo courtesy of Jessica Silverman.

Strong student-counselor relationships at WJ

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Dec 22, 2017
Da Vinci painting breaks art records in high price auction sale

Da Vinci painting breaks art records in high price auction sale

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Dec 5, 2017
Taylor Swift releases new album "Reputation"

Taylor Swift releases new album “Reputation”

Jessica Silverman, Copy Editor
Nov 20, 2017
WJ teacher backpacks through Banff

WJ teacher backpacks through Banff

Jessica Silverman
Oct 13, 2017
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