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
Josephine Meriot

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor

Senior Josephine Meriot is the Photography Editor for her first year on the Pitch. Outside of the classroom, Josephine enjoys dancing and laughing.

All content by Josephine Meriot
D1 commit Mila Pekar chases after the B-CC goalie, Ella Morton in hope to get the ball back in WJ control. After the loss, WJ girls went to support B-CC in their game against Whitman which ended with a close score of 11-10 for B-CC.

Girls Lacrosse start playoffs season against B-CC

Josephine Meriot
May 31, 2022
Shelly the Mighty MadCow wonders if Wildcat Wednesday is actually beneficial to WJ students. The bandage around Shelly’s head is to represent the stress that is not being relieved by students because of Wildcat Wednesday.

Is Wildcat Wellness really relieving stress from students?

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
May 11, 2022

Girls lacrosse honors late alum

Josephine Meriot and Sanir Byanjankar
April 26, 2022
Senior Alex Ghaffari supporting his fellow wildcat wrestler on the mat by calling out moves that could aid him in winning against the Churchill wrestler. "The coaches kind of give us freedom as individual wrestlers cause if you want to succeed you have to want it yourself," Ghaffari said.

WJ Wrestling at the Battle of Bethesda meet edit

Josephine Meriot
March 28, 2022
Senior Lianna Rosman diving into her successful swimming season. She recently committed to Bates College to continue her academics and swimming career.

Senior swimmer Lianna Rosman commits to Bates College

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
March 2, 2022
Senior Andrew Schell swallowing his burritos with water to get to the running part of the race. The track star, Schell has a winning streak for the Pennies for Patients' Burrito Mile event, and won this year with a 7:15 mile time.

The Burrito Mile concludes the last Pennies for Patients fundraiser in February

Josephine Meriot
March 2, 2022

State of the School: One-on-One with Principal Baker

Maeve Sanford-Kelly, Jillian Ward, Josephine Meriot, Nicole Weaver and Sanir Byanjankar
February 9, 2022
On July 5th, senior Hanna Bingley signing her commitment papers to swim with Bucknell University. Not only interested in the division one swim team, Bingley is also fascinated by the rigorous and numerous academic opportunities Bucknell University offers.

Senior swimmer Hanna Bingley commits to Bucknell University

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
February 9, 2022
WJ junior Sienna Karp standing besides the Penn State Nittany Lion mascot to announce her verbal commitment to Penn State University for swim and dive. "Penn State is the right place for me so I am honored that they would have me as a part of their team," Karp said.

Junior swimmer Sienna Karp commits to Penn State

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
January 28, 2022

Senior Snow Day at Liberty Mountain

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
January 19, 2022
From right to left: Adam Brodsky, Max Kaminski, Marissa Krantz, Julia Levine, Zeke Ross on their way out to G Square during lunch were all dressed up in their Holiday Sweaters. These seniors went all out for their last December spirit week.

Spirit week takes over WJ

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
January 10, 2022
Alumni Patrick Okocha and Augustin Meriot showing off the prizes they conquered and accomplished back in 2016.

Alumnus Patrick Okocha returns to help coach wrestling practices

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
December 21, 2021

Jo & Julia recreate Crumbl Cookie recipes

Julia Garms, Josephine Meriot and Nicole Weaver
November 30, 2021
English teacher Ashley Herdman inserts grades into the grade book as the quarter ends. Herdman had a lot of assignments to put in from previous weeks, in addition to new assignments.

Deadline rules should apply to everyone

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
November 17, 2021
"I personally like Adele’s song the best because “No Time to Die” was too mellow while “Skyfall” had a strong and powerful part to it,” senior Noah McPhee said.

Last James Bond movie results in mixed reviews

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
November 16, 2021
Seniors Francesca Urioste, Mia Fainbraun, Jillian Ward, Maddy Turner, Gretchen Klotz, Sinead Longsworth, Josephine Meriot and Julia Beato pose before other grades came to see the Mardi Gras themed Homecoming hallways.

Day in the life of cheerleader on Homecoming weekend

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
October 28, 2021
Senior Marley Wing with representative Joe Shields from Goucher College is ready to get advice about her application. Wing used the information provided by Walter Johnson resources to help put her application forward.

Seniors prepare for college applications

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
October 18, 2021

What music are you listening to?

Nicole Weaver, Josephine Meriot and Raquel Daley
September 23, 2021
When a comet is continuously approaching Earth, two low-level astronomers played by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio decide to warn the oblivious population.

Most anticipated films set to release this fall

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
September 20, 2021
Gingham print will take over the streets this summer.

Popular clothing trends taking over summer 2021

Josephine Meriot, Photography Editor
June 15, 2021
The pandemic may be adversely affecting our social skills. Many people have all experience social isolation to a degree.

The pandemic has hurt our social skills

Josephine Meriot, Special to The Pitch
May 7, 2021
Junior Ella Barrett (not pictured) and junior Julia Beato (pictured) visit Java Nation to review its coffee. Seating is available outside in a COVID-safe tent.

Local Brunch: A review of bagels and coffee in Montgomery County

Ella Barrett and Josephine Meriot
April 21, 2021
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