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
Julia Hananel

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief

Julia is currently a senior and is super excited for another year on The Pitch! In addition to The Pitch, Julia plays piano for WJ’s jazz ensemble and violin in the orchestra. Outside of school, Julia is a Disney movie enthusiast and loves to listen to music.

All content by Julia Hananel
English teacher Jon Bos. The beloved WJ teacher was struck by a car on Friday, March 13, and is currently in critical condition.

WJ English teacher Jon Bos hit by car, in critical condition

Julia Hananel, Editor in Chief
March 19, 2020
WJ S*T*A*G*E* prepares to go "Into the Woods"

WJ S*T*A*G*E* prepares to go “Into the Woods”

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2020
Vandalism found on the wall by the entrance to BCC. This message was spray painted on the wall along with other profane messages. It is unknown who left these messages.

B-CC vandalizes WJ senior shed, students outraged

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2020
Former coach Gary Reburn. Reburn, who was coach up until spring 2018, has been charged with attempted kidnap and murder.

Former WJ lacrosse coach charged with attempted kidnap and murder

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 19, 2019
Arena Stage's "Newsies" cast performs on opening night. The musical will run until December 29, 2019.

“Newsies” musical at D.C.’s Arena Stage

Hannah Markov and Julia Hananel
December 18, 2019
Black Friday makes us more materialistic

Black Friday makes us more materialistic

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 2, 2019
Junior running back Aaron Jones sprints down the field for a touchdown against Clarksburg. Jones led the team to a 41-28 victory with multiple rushing touchdowns to his name.

Meet football beast Aaron Jones

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
November 5, 2019

Washington Post mapmaker shares cartography skills with WJ students

Julia Hananel and Lucas Gillespie
October 11, 2019
Students display their posters at the D.C. climate strike on September 20. Over 4 million students worldwide skipped school on September 20 to demand action on climate change.

WJ students skip school to protest for the environment

Julia Hananel and Lucas Gillespie
October 2, 2019
A woman casts her vote in an election. Youth voters -- people ages 18 to 24-- typically have lower turnout rates than other age demographics.

Q&A: will WJ students vote in the 2020 election?

Julia Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 2, 2019
Luis Cabrera, the former WJ student who threatened the school last October, was released from prison last week and is facing five years of probation.

Former WJ student released from prison, prompts new threats

Julia Hananel and Kiley Ring
June 13, 2019
Parents discuss the county’s recent efforts to redraw school boundaries in hopes that they better reflect the changing demographics between white and minority students. There was a large turnout at the discussion and there were many parents on each side of the issue.

WJ hosts school boundary discussion meeting

Julia Hananel, Feature Editor
May 22, 2019
Sophomore Maeve Sanford-Kelly testifies at a local hearing to support the passage of her bill, which requires all Maryland public schools to teach sexual consent in their health curriculums. Governor Hogan signed it into law in May 2018.

WJ student’s consent education bill passed

Julia Hananel, Feature Editor
April 15, 2019
WJ students open up about psychedelic drug use. Though done out of recreation, some have bad experiences with psychedelics.

Drug culture at WJ: A look into psychedelic drug use

Julia Hananel, Print Feature Editor
February 8, 2019
Johnny Depp as the Gellert Grindelwald, in the new Harry Potter prequel, ‘Crimes of Grindelwald.’ The movie, written by J.K. Rowling and directed by David Yates, is the second out of five Fantastic Beasts movies to be created.

“The Crimes of Grindelwald” will disappoint loyal Harry Potter fans

Julia Hananel, Print Feature Editor
November 30, 2018
President Trump on his visit to Jerusalem in 2017. Many have accused the president of inspiring radical conservatives to carry out acts of terror.

Point counterpoint: who’s to blame for the Pittsburgh shooting?

Julia Hananel and Ian Rees
November 19, 2018
Shoplifting is both an issue for the students of WJ, who are committing the crime, and for the school as a whole. Stores and restaurants at Georgetown Square expressed their frustration to Principal Jennifer Baker at the beginning of the school year, calling the privilege of students to shop at these stores into question.

The Pitch investigates student shoplifting concerns

Julia Hananel, Print Feature Editor
October 26, 2018
Junior Angie Ciccarello and senior Maddie Osterman debate the pros and cons of performing The Wiz at WJ.

Principal Baker asks WJ S*T*A*G*E to change spring musical amid controversy

Julia Hananel, Print Feature Editor
September 28, 2018
Don't grinch at gifts this Christmas

Don’t grinch at gifts this Christmas

Julia Hananel
December 22, 2017
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