The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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.
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
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
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
Sophomore Grace Harrington and father dress down in their regalia for powwow. Photos similar to these hang in her house with her father often reminding her of her Native ancestry. “Some people put little pilgrim decorations up on their house at Thanksgiving, we do not do that, but we do still celebrate it because it brings our family together,” Huntington said. (Courtesy Grace Harrington)
To celebrate or not to celebrate: Thanksgiving’s meaning today
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
Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (left) play Erik and Lyle Menendez (right) in "Monsters." Both images feature the brothers at trial, following their murder of their parents after enduring year of trauma and abuse at the hands of their father. (Courtesy Netflix used via fair use)
The controversy behind the hit Netflix show ‘Monsters’
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 English, math classes
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
A student tiredly walks down a hallway after a school day. Many students feel drained after a day of school, but is WJ the problem?
Is the school the problem? The case for WJ
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
Junior Annie Linkie and senior Anna Kotek run down one of the many hills of the states course. "The race was really crowded at the start and it was difficult to find a spot where I could keep my pace," Linkie said. "Luckily, I was able to run with some of my teammates which always helps with the mental difficulty during the race."
Girls’ cross country bolts over the hills, finishes 5th in state
Junior quarterback Jake Forburger takes the snap from junior center Andrew Corrado during the game against Laurel. Forburger consistently drove the ball down the field, contributing to a 40-13 win.
Wildcats trample Spartans in playoffs
ESOL pumpkin carving
ESOL pumpkin carving
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
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Katie Campbell

Katie Campbell, Online Editor-in-Chief

Katie is excited to spend her senior year as an Online Editor-in-Chief for the Pitch. She enjoys playing soccer, reading, and watching Monk.
All content by Katie Campbell
Hispanic/Latin Heritage Club: Mariana Ramirez Lemus Mariana Lemus, president of the Hispanic Latin Culture Club has utilized her business and leadership skills to create a safe space where students can express their ideas, concerns, questions, while learning about what Latinos have contributed to this country through their culture and traditions. “ I will always remember the warmth and the love that this club opened up their arms to me and made me feel identified when I was a freshman…I hope that Latinos unite and become stronger and empowered by one another,” Lemus said.

Honoring graduating senior club leaders at WJ

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
May 24, 2023
Katie Campbell's senior reflection

Katie Campbell’s senior reflection

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
May 24, 2023
Athletic Standout: Alex Chang Varsity hockey player Alex Chang performed notably throughout his high school career as a four year varsity athlete, playing a crucial role in the Icecats’ journey to winning the state championship this year. Chang has been skating for 16 years—almost his entire life—and playing hockey for 13. Now, he looks to play Division I Hockey at the University of Maine. “Being on any team really forces you to learn how to work with others, help resolve conflicts, and build relationships. There’s a lot more to sports than just going out and playing and that’s what’s so beautiful about the game,” Chang said.

Senior Standouts: Class of 2023 picks six seniors who stand out

Katie Campbell, Nour Faragallah and Raquel Daley
May 24, 2023
Senior Tiffany Gibson has dinner with her parents and her nine year old sister. Gibson's family has been her largest source of support throughout her treatment process. "[My dad] helped me through it. He was the one who’d take me to my doctor’s visits, he was trying to make me try to take my medication on time, even though he’d get angry when I didn’t take it. I had to do blood work, so he would always find out. He would always try to get me to take it and remind me," Gibson said.

Overcoming high school with Graves’ disease

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
March 28, 2023
Junior Natalya Krouse commits to play Division I lacrosse at University of Connecticut. She started playing competitively in the fourth grade. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play in college, but I felt like if I had been playing for that long, I wanted to play in college," Krouse said.

Teammates of nine years part ways to play Division I lacrosse

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
March 2, 2023
Lorraine Goldstein's Health A class learns about mental health. One of the reasons that Health B isn't being offered at WJ currently is that Health A has a new curriculum this year, and the teachers would be unable to teach two new courses simultaneously.

Health B to be implemented upcoming school year, creates conflict in class scheduling

Katie Campbell and Nour Faragallah
February 28, 2023
Security guard Kelly McDonnell checks students' ID cards as they walk into the building in the morning. These checks are done before school and at lunch to ensure the safety of students in the building and are only part of the duties of the security guards at school.

Black cadillacs to blue jackets: Kelly McDonnell’s career journey

Yuval Shachar and Katie Campbell
February 8, 2023
Members of the Middle Eastern North African (MENA) club paint a ceiling tile displaying the revolution's motto, "Women, Life, Freedom" written in different languages.

Iran’s fight for freedom: what students are doing to help

Sydney Fraser and Katie Campbell
January 24, 2023
In the Philippines, it is common for events to serve the meals on banana leaves, usually without plates or utensils. This meal is called a boodle feast, and it is traditional to eat with the hands.

Students preserve cultural diversity in new environment Pt. 2

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
December 21, 2022

Students interact with their teacher-parents in the building

Katie Campbell, Online Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2022
Figueroa won two matches against an opponent who had been practicing martial arts for three years. "The next championship will be on Nov. 12 in Maryland. She is happy about this and wants to represent the school, if she wins this championship she will be next year in an international tournament in Florida where people who train [at a] very high meet," Jennifer's father, Jairo Andrés Figueroa said.

Jiu-jitsu prodigy, Jennifer Figueroa takes down the competition

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
November 1, 2022
A bobblehead version of the famous Walter Johnson nods at students passing by English teacher and baseball fan, Jason Krakower. Krakower was both a baseball player, as well as an editorial producer for Major League Baseball Advanced Media before he joined WJ's English department.

Meet the newest members of the English department

Katie Campbell, Online EIC
September 20, 2022
Junior Pearl Hoffman watches Gilmore Girls Season 6 episode 8, when Jess meets Logan for the first time and calls out Rory for her unusual behaviour.

Does Gilmore Girls romanticize affairs and the “rich snob” stereotype?

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
June 16, 2022
While twins and seniors Ellen and Erin Osterman are also close friends, they don't always get along. “Birthdays are expensive, and they fall on the same day, so our birthdays would be the same, and we wouldn’t often agree on things. So one of us would end up getting their way, and that would lead to the other being really sad," Ellen said.

Siblings share unbreakable bonds

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
May 24, 2022
Junior Keon Abasi looks to pass the ball during a U17 Bethesda White soccer game. Abasi played as a six before he became a permanent center defender.

After a history of broken bones: Keon Abasi bounces back

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
May 4, 2022
School psychologist Kimberly McGonigle works in her office, room 158D.

Q&A with school psychologist

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
April 5, 2022
Counselor Raquel Wood keeps her office door open, welcoming to students in need. “We were prepared to have students, and had our doors open and were ready, but no students came to me," counselor Heather Dodge said.

The emotional costs of being a caring counselor

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
April 2, 2022
“In my country, we don’t have those kinds of problems. I couldn’t believe something like that could happen here. I think the best way is to try to avoid problems. What else can I do? I have no choice but to go to school,” Julian Garcia, 12

Up at Bat: What are your thoughts on the incident at Magruder and school safety?

Katie Campbell
February 9, 2022
Sophomore Viktoria Koch-Paiz spends quality time with her five year old horse, Grayson. "It was exciting to bond and train my horse and learn new things with him, even though it was difficult at times," Koch-Paiz said.

WJ reminisces on the silver linings of 2021

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
January 27, 2022
Junior Kathleen Winter and her friends enjoy lunch together every day. These moments help break up the school day and make the stresses of academia and socializing much more manageable.

Students find solace in social groups

Katie Campbell and Ruby Topalian
January 6, 2022
The popular "coexist" logo has been used from bumper stickers to flags. Acceptance of a community of different religions coexisting with one another is encouraged, especially in the school environment.

Religion generates diversity in student body

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
January 5, 2022
The old WJ building was much smaller than it is today. It used to be located in the middle of a field with cows surrounding it.

Staff reveal what WJ was like in the past

Katie Campbell and Tissa Amaira
November 16, 2021
Daylight Saving: Is it worthwhile?

Daylight Saving: Is it worthwhile?

Katie Campbell and Nour Faragallah
November 11, 2021
A student struggles to solve an equation regarding limits and end behaviours. Honors Precalculus is one of the most notorious courses high schoolers encounter. “My teacher Ms. Bullock, she was saying that in week 5, she got like 25 new students. Our class is pretty crowded, and a lot of them have switched out from my previous math class," junior Tyler McClellan said.

Students drop from honors to on-level precalculus

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
October 28, 2021
English teacher Marc Waldman assists a student with an English assignment on his Chromebook. Waldman encourages questions and participation in the classroom. “I just hope that people always realize that they can approach me, and if I can’t help them, I guarantee you, I know someone who can,” Waldman said.

Teachers reveal their views on teaching

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
October 15, 2021
In Siberia, Russia, villagers reside in small farm-like houses made of stone and wood. Korotaev spent his summers in the village, harvesting potatoes, and tending to chickens, rabbits, and cows.

Students preserve cultural diversity in new environment

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
September 20, 2021

WJ Girls soccer players compare school vs. club teams

Katie Campbell, Online Feature Editor
June 15, 2021
With the sudden increase of free time that quarantine has brought students have decided to use it to their advantage. Many have taken to the outdoors, both for exercise and relaxation.

Has quarantine encouraged students to become more active?

Katie Campbell, Special to The Pitch
December 21, 2020
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