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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
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
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 Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
Washington Capitals captain and forward Alex Ovechkin tracks the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram skates behind him getting ready to defend. Both teams are competing for playoff spots this season. (Courtesy Brian Murphy via Wikimedia Commons)
WJ hockey players discuss Capitals’ strong start
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
ASL 2 students eat at Mozzeria, a deaf- owned restraunt. Students practiced their signing with the deaf employees to order their food and drinks.
Photo Gallery: ASL Gallaudet Field Trip
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Kiley Ring

Kiley Ring, Print Editor-In-Chief

Kiley Ring is a senior this year at WJ. She was a Print Feature Editor last year and is looking forward to being a Print Editor-in-Chief on the Pitch! In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and going downtown.

All content by Kiley Ring
Ring and her family attend a wedding in Nantucket the summer her dad is released. They celebrated the wedding as well as their first family vacation in a couple of years.

Relationship issue: Father-daughter bond conquers prison separation

Kiley Ring, Print Editor-in-Chief
Feb 14, 2020
Spanish Honor Society students work on an arts and crafts project. The group has tried to emphasize cultural activities to enhance the experience of members.

How beneficial are honor societies?

Kiley Ring, Print Editor-in-Chief
Jan 15, 2020
Many students utilize the College and Career Center as a place to gather their documents for college, attend college visits and more.

Advice throughout the years: Preparing for college

Kiley Ring, Print Editor-in-Chief
Nov 12, 2019
Make school Wi-Fi accessible to students

Make school Wi-Fi accessible to students

Kiley Ring, Print Editor in Chief
Oct 10, 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
Jun 13, 2019
As school winds down, artists are releasing the newest hits of the summer.

WJ’s top picks: songs of the summer

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Jun 12, 2019

Summer bucket list on a budget

Jane Fleischman and Kiley Ring
Jun 11, 2019
Brown University, located in Rhode Island, is one of many competitive schools in New England. Junior Robby Neisser will be visiting Brown over spring break.

Juniors to scope out colleges during spring break

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Apr 12, 2019
JV cheer prepares for a football game in October 2018. Recent funding issues have forced WJ to cut the winter JV team, restricting underclassmen from working on their game in a team environment before varsity tryouts.

JV winter cheer cut due to funding issue

Kiley Ring, Print Feature Editor
Feb 8, 2019
Seniors Karina Lee and Meg Nelson show off their Airpods in class. A lot of friends share their Airpods to listen together, and the wireless aspect of them makes sharing very easy.

Point/Counterpoint: AirPods

Lydia FitzPatrick and Kiley Ring
Jan 22, 2019
We crafted a perfect holiday playlist for break! Give it a listen!

Winter holiday playlist!

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Dec 21, 2018
WJ takes a look into cheating

WJ takes a look into cheating

Kiley Ring, Print Feature Editor
Nov 30, 2018
Runners enter the Capital Crescent Trail, which feeds into Bethesda Avenue. The trail was established in 1966 and the Bethesda-Silver Spring portion was temporarily closed in September of 2017.

Students explore best of Bethesda’s fun-filled activities

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Nov 9, 2018
The WJ courtyard located near the auditorium has several benches, encouraging students to sit outside. Many students eat lunch in these courtyards to get a break from school.

WJ courtyards house multiple uses

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Oct 26, 2018
Grande belts one of her songs out to an admiring crowd on tour. Grande embarked on her Dangerous Woman tour throughout 2017 and is headed on her Sweetener tour next year.

Album review: Sweetener

Kiley Ring, Feature Editor
Sep 28, 2018
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