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 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
Judith Altneu

Judith Altneu, News Editor

Judith Altneu is a senior and this is her first year writing for the Pitch. At WJ Judith is also a member of Sources of Strength. Outside of school Judith is president of B’nai Israel USY chapter.

All content by Judith Altneu

After a month’s delay, date is set for SGA and class officer elections

Judith Altneu, News Editor
May 1, 2020
Junior Mia Chai is prepping with her lawyers, juniors Emmie Maisel and Danielle Nevett during a break in their trial. Simmon's team concluded their season by making it to the second round of the playoffs.

Competitive clubs wrap up successful seasons

Judith Altneu, News Editor
March 14, 2020
Judith Altneu's friends take photos before homecoming. Her friends are a big part of her life and is so happy to have formed a great group of friends in high school.

Thriving socially in high school

Judith Altneu, News Editor
February 15, 2020
WJ students had mixed reactions to the graduation location being moved to the UMBC event center. Some think it will be better than the Xfinity Center, as parking won't be as big of an issue, while others think it won't be as nice as Xfinity.

WJ News Updates

Judith Altneu, News Editor
January 28, 2020
WJ receives a five star rating from the Maryland state report card. This the second year in a row WJ scored five stars.

WJ receives a five-star rating

Judith Altneu, News Editor
January 18, 2020
Super Bowl LIV will be played in Miami, Florida at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2. The teams playing in the Super Bowl will be decided on Sunday

Super Bowl guide for dummies

Judith Altneu, News Editor
January 17, 2020
A perfect activity to do during winter break is to visit the Smithsonian Zoo at night. During the holiday season the zoo is covered in festive holiday lights.

Survivng a staycation

Judith Altneu, News Editor
December 9, 2019
Montgomery County is analyzing the cluster boundaries in order to reach the root of the county wide overcrowding problems.

MCPS kicks off boundary analysis study

Judith Altneu, News Editor
December 6, 2019
I played handball last year and scored my first goals ever. I was dissapointed to hear that the team did not assemble for my senior season.

WJ should have done more to keep handball team

Judith Altneu, News Editor
November 7, 2019
The poll (pictured above) shows what proposals students prefer. The majority of students favored Proposal two.

MCPS releases 2020-2021 school calendar proposals and seeks feedback

Judith Altneu, News Editor
November 1, 2019
Students transition to their Period four class. Crowded hallways and stairwells have been a topic among students after the narrow stairwells have been turned into down only and more portables have been added.

New school year sparks new changes

Judith Altneu, News Editor
September 27, 2019
Students watch SGA candidates speeches to decide who they want to represent them next school year. Results were shared on social media shortly after school on May 31.

2019-2020 SGA and class officers elected

Judith Altneu, Staff Writer
June 13, 2019
Beauty and the Beast was released in March 2017 and grossed $1.263 billion worldwide. The movie received nominations for Best Production and Costume design at the Academy awards.

Bringing the magic of Disney’s animated classics to life

Judith Altneu, Staff Writer
June 11, 2019
Ready set play. Juniors Kayla Kahrl and Caroline Kennon jump in excitement to play in WJ’s annual Powder Puff game against the seniors on May 22. The juniors played a close game, but ultimately lost.

Seniors narrowly beat juniors again in annual Powder Puff game

Judith Altneu, Staff Writer
June 10, 2019
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